Background and Mission

For many years, researchers within the Robotics Group have studied the problems related to industrial robot platforms within robot modelling and motion planning, control problems, process modelling, computer systems for industrial automation, and computer vision. There have been several remarkable results over the years achieved by integrating research results from several of the above areas, the famous AMROSE technology for off-line programming of welding robots developed in collaboration with Odense Steelshipyard being the most prominent one.

The next wave of robot automation will be massive, it will encompass both industrial and service applications, it will be highly flexible and it will come when robots are able to operate safely and reliably among humans. By joining our competencies described above, we put ourselves in an excellent position to develop the necessary technology to allow highly flexible robots to operate among human users or co-workers.

The mission of the groups research activities is thus to incorporate our competencies into highly intelligent new modular robotic systems, where robot control, programming, vision and process handling are beyond nowadays state-of-the-art and where computer systems have been developed that minimize startup costs and ensure safe operation among humans. Such a robotic system will enable robotization of flexible and/or few-of-a-kind production to a much higher degree without requiring fences or other kind of safety installations.

We intensively participate and seek participation in collaborative R&D projects with robot using and robot manufacturing companies. These projects do not only enable us to reach subgoals of our mission, but do also provide us with further insight into the practical problems occuring. Moreover, these projects also prepare the companies for the possibilities of the future.