Laboratory

Question category: Purpose of the facility

(x) Teaching
( ) Training
(x) Innovation/Research
( ) DIY
(x) Networking
(x) Other: Business in process automation and digitalization of factories

Describe your testbed (projects, research, main focusing)

The I4C project focuses on the design of a universal robotic cell, which includes the development of advanced system integration, human-machine interface, tools for the simulation of robots as dynamic systems (Digital-Twin), and the use of augmented/virtual reality. The main research part of the project is focused on the development of advanced functions in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, etc., aimed at improving robotic tasks such as flexible production, intelligent sorting, and machine handling.
The main idea of the I4C (Industry 4.0 Cell) project is adaptability to future automation technologies in various fields, improving literacy (understanding robotics) and helping students (future engineers/scientists, etc.) to create a better future.
In collaboration with industry and the university, we have implemented several projects focused primarily on advanced robotics (Digital-Twin, Augmented Reality, Data processing, Image processing, etc.) Our latest project focuses on creating a robotic workstation to analyses test samples for Covid-19. As a robotic cell, our research group is very flexible and can reconfigure itself as needed.

What type of manufacturing is practiced or modeled at your testbed/Pilotfabrik? (Multiple answers possible)

(x) Discrete manufacturing (e.g. electronics, machine tools, vehicles and vehicle components)
(x) Process manufacturing (e.g. chemicals, paints, fuels, biochemical products)

In which phases of the product life cycle do the focal points of your testbed lie? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Product development/product design
( ) Prototype construction
(x) Manufacturing/Production
(x) Assembly
(x) Logistics
( ) Service
( ) Recycling/upcycling/repair

What software do you use for virtualization, data acquisition and communication?

We use several software for these and other tasks: B&R Automation Studio, ABB RobotStudio, UR PolyScope, ROS (Robot Operating System), Unity3D, Blender and much more.

Do you already have experience with these communication technologies? Do You use them in practical applications?

(x) OPC UA
( ) OPC UA TSN
( ) MQTT
( ) Industrial Ethernet (Profinet, PowerLink, EtherCAT, Ethernet IP, ...)
(x) Other

What kind of architecture do you use in your systems or projects? Please write a small description

( ) Hierarchical with gateways
(x) Pyramid with industrial Ethernet
( ) Decentralized

What specifications of the digital twin do you use?

We use standard software and Digital-Twins models from individual companies such as ABB, Universal Robots, etc. The advantage of our robotic cell is the creation of its own digital twin, which can also be used for augmented reality. The entire integration of our digital twins is created using Unity3D.

Do you use the Asset Administration Shell? What specification do you use (ZVEI, VDMA, VDI/VDE, other)?

Not yet, but we will certainly consider it in the future.

What is the focus of current research and development activities?

Our current research and development activities are mainly focused on advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. Specifically, to improve motion planning and machine vision for multiple tasks such as bin picking, visual inspection, intelligent sorting and similar tasks. We are also starting with topics in the field of medical robotics.

What is the focus of future research and development activities?

As today's digital technologies are constantly evolving, the effort is to keep the concept of the robotic cell flexible. The vision is to create an automated, adaptive, and self-learning robotic cell that can partially reconfigure itself for different types of operations.

What are the technologies and approaches that set your facility apart, or that differentiate you from competition?

The main difference is the use of several different robotic systems that communicate through multiple industrial protocols but are controlled by one master control system. Another difference is the use of our unique digital twin to simulate robots and processes. Advanced system integration and digital twin simulation software is easily expandable to new devices in the future.

Which equipment (investment sum >30.000,-- €) is available in your testbed?

Collaborative Robots: ABB IRB 14000 YuMi, Universal Robots UR3 Industrial
Robot: ABB IRB 120

Which target groups have active access to your infrastructure? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Startups
(x) SME
(x) Large enterprises
(x) Students/Pupils
(x) Researchers
( ) Makers
( ) Other:

Does your testbed offer workshops or continuing education courses, if so which ones? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Standardized courses
( ) Individual programs for companies
(x) Individual programs for educational institutions
( ) Publicly accessible continuing education
( ) Other: On demand.

Which of these formats are increasingly being used? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Standardized courses
( ) Individual programs for companies
(x) Individual programs for educational institutions
( ) Publicly accessible continuing education
( ) Other:

Are there any plans to expand the range of training and further education courses, if so which ones and for which target group?

We plan to organize training/workshops focused on robotics, such as programming in ABB RobotStudio, B&R Automation Studio, ROS and many others. Our latest innovation is the opportunity for students and researchers to get CISCO certification organized by researchers from our institute.

To which target group(s) are your training programs available? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Startups
( ) SME
( ) Large enterprises
(x) Students/Pupils
(x) Researchers
(x) Makers
( ) Self-employed
( ) Pilot & Learning Factories
( ) Other:

What opportunities do you offer companies to support them in product development? (Multiple answers possible)

(x) Consulting regarding prototyping and product development
(x) Testing of external developments/products in existing infrastructure of the testbed
( ) Access to production data
( ) Networking with investors
( ) Other:

Please rank the following groups of companies according to the intensity of their cooperation with you (ranking)

(x) Large companies (> 250 employees)
( ) Medium-sized companies (>50 employees)
( ) Small companies (<50 employees)
( ) Startups
( ) Self-employed

Are there one or more specific target groups that increasingly use your offer? (Multiple answers possible)

( ) Startups
(x) SME
(x) Large enterprises
( ) Self-employed
( ) Other:

Are there special offers for small and medium-sized enterprises, if so which ones?

In cooperation with the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce, especially the Industry 4.0 Brno cluster, we offer project and educational cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises.

For which events can companies use your premises? (Multiple answers possible)

(x) Product presentations
( ) Networking events
( ) Corporate events
( ) Other:
( ) None

What dissemination and communication activities are you currently undertaking to address companies?

(x) Events and functions
( ) Partnerships (if yes, which ones)
( ) Media cooperations
(x) Word of Mouth
( ) Other:

Do companies in your region know about your offerings and services?

( ) Most companies are well informed
(x) Some companies are well informed
( ) Few companies are well informed
( ) Most companies are not well informed

What activities are you currently engaged in to motivate companies to work with you?

Trade fairs, seminars, conferencies.

Do you already cooperate with other similar institutions, if yes with which one or do you plan a cooperation / collaboration and if yes, with which institution

Not yet, but in the future, we would like to cooperate with other institutions.

Are you part of one or more project consortia related to regional, national or large international EU research framework or cooperation programs (e.g. Horizon2020, Interreg, etc.), if yes which, or do you plan to participate in such programs and if yes, in which ones?

We are part of projects such as Ministry of Industry and Trade, The Czech Science Foundation (GACR) and Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. However, in the future we will apply for projects under Horizon, Interreg, etc.

Which Industrie 4.0 topics are you most interested in for a possible cooperation with one or more project partners?

We are most interested in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence/machine learning. However, we are open to collaboration in different areas of Industry 4.0.

Contakt: Ing. Jan Jirsa, email: Jan.Jirsa@vspj.cz