Advanced RoBOTic Technology for Handling SOFT Materials in MANufacturing Sectors

Many tasks involving the handling of deformable objects – from surgery to packaging and food handling to automobile manufacturing – are done by skillful human operators. Advances in technology could one day have robots doing such work. The EU-funded SOFTMANBOT project will provide an innovative and holistic robotic system for the handling of flexible and deformable materials within labour-intensive production processes. Its system will include smart dexterous grippers that will enable grasping and manipulation skills with integrated sensors (mainly tactile). The project will test the technology in industrially relevant environments in four key manufacturing sectors (toy, textile, footwear and tyre). The findings will contribute to technological advances to help robots play a bigger role in European factories.