RM and Schaeffler AG decide to co-operate
The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Schaeffler AG are working together in the field of robotics in industrial production environments. The strategic cooperation with the automotive and industrial supplier was announced at the automatica trade fair in Munich.
"More than ever, research and industry must pull together to develop the technologies of tomorrow, because there is no innovation without research. The expertise of Schaeffler and DLR complement each other perfectly and will lead to an accelerated development of application-oriented robotics solutions," says Prof Karsten Lemmer, member of the DLR Executive Board and responsible for innovation, transfer and scientific infrastructures. The Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Oberpfaffenhofen is developing systems and methods in the Future Production application field that enable the flexible use of robotic systems. Among other things, the scientists are researching the safe interaction of humans and robots, as well as the autonomous execution of logistics and production processes.
"Innovative robotics solutions play a central role in Schaeffler's Roadmap 2025 corporate strategy. Intelligent technologies based on artificial intelligence and higher levels of automation enable new development and production concepts for even better products. With this partnership, Schaeffler is demonstrating its successful commitment to robotics and, together with the DLR, will shape progress that moves the world," says Uwe Wagner, Chief Research and Development Officer of Schaeffler AG. The company also uses robots in production environments and highly automated manufacturing plants worldwide.
"The strategic cooperation is another example of a successful transfer from space to Earth. In addition to the many spin-offs of the institute, the networking with leading German industrial partners such as Schaeffler is proof of the sustainability of DLR's robotics research," explains Professor Alin Albu-Schäffer, Head of the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics.
DLR at the automatica 2022
The DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics is currently presenting its activities at automatica (Hall B4, Stand 318). One example is SARA (Safe Autonomous Robotic Assistant), the latest generation of a lightweight robot. It combines state-of-the-art mechatronics with innovative control processes. The aim is to further develop robots into a networked sensor-actuator system in a factory characterised to a high degree by digital monitoring and control processes.
SARA is part of the industrial robotics project "Factory of the Future – Extended" (FoF-X), a continuation of the DLR initiative for the use of intelligent robotic systems in production. The solution approach includes reconfigurable robot systems, human-robot collaboration, autonomous execution of production processes and digital images of systems and products. Research into methods in the field of artificial intelligence is setting new standards. Seven DLR institutes are working together in FoF-X.
