The ERAT Program 2024

Dorian Dragaj, TU Wien Informatics

Integrating robotics offers a promising avenue for innovative solutions to address sustainability issues. The presentation aims to delve into the application of robotics to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Austria, with a specific focus on four key goals: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 9 (Industries, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). I will provide insights into the existing robotics landscape in Austira, derived from qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders, emphasizing their role in advancing the specified SDGs and addressing potential challenges associated with integrating robots.

Georg Linsberger, Josephinum Research
Johannes Zuser , Josephinum Research

Agriculture is seeing big changes with the use of robotics, leading to more efficient and sustainable farming. Robotics are making a big difference in tasks like planting, harvesting, and checking on crops, improving how much food is grown and how farms impact the environment. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being combined with robotics, especially for safety features like spotting problems early on and recognizing objects and people. These technologies are important for making sure robots can work safely around people and animals on farms.

Walter Wohlkinger, Robokraft GmbH

The labour shortage has compelled vintners to look for alternatives to tractor drivers for crop protection in their vineyards. On this journey, they discovered the many advantages of lightweight and smart, sensor-equipped robots. One robot does make a difference, but only once the whole system is in place and the processes have adapted to it, the compounded benefits come to bear, in diverse areas contributing to the SDGs.

Michael Zillich, Airskin

Rapid advances in robotics (particularly legged robots) and AI promise a plethora of new robotic applications, that can help to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: robotics in agriculture for highly efficient farming with a small environmental footprint; energy-efficient logistics from warehousing and fulfillment centers to the last mile; taking over the remaining dull and dangerous jobs to supplement an aging workforce; service robots in health care to support people with disabilities in leading healthy independent lives. All this, however, can only happen if we can make these new classes of robots safe to operate amongst humans, everywhere, every day.
In my talk I will discuss required and available technologies regarding physical robot safety, and pose the question how current regulations can keep up with these rapid developments to allow progress and while ensuring safety. (I leave safe AI for others to discuss)

Angel Gaydarov, Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, Logistics and Supply Chain Management division

The research initiative, designated as NIKITA, is focused on the development of sustainable and cooperative transportation networks. The methodology focuses on achieving said goal by incorporating real-time data throughout the supply chain. The project explores the potential contribution to improvement of planning efficiency and establishment of resilient supply chains as foundation of sustainable logistic system, such as JIT, through optimized utilization of transport units and the inclusion of real-time data from transportation vehicles as well as from online sources via web scraping.

Prof. Niko Herakovič, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Hugo Zupan, DIGITEH d.o.o

A cutting-edge solution will be presented designed to streamline assembly line operations using a combination of a digital twin and artificial intelligence. Our system significantly contributes to the establishment of sustainable and collaborative transportation networks by optimizing real-time data integration throughout the supply chain. By improving the utilization of transport units and ensuring materials and personnel are precisely where needed, we facilitate more efficient planning and the foundation for Just-In-Time (JIT) processes. This approach not only enhances communication and coordination between customers and suppliers but also leads to substantial reductions in unnecessary transportation, thereby lowering carbon footprints and bolstering supply chain resilience.

Michael Gfoellner, MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK GmbH & Co KG, TU Graz – Institute of Production Engineering

Transforming data into information is a key element in the digitalisation of industrial inspection processes. A big data analytics project at the Magna plant in Graz was able to establish the link between serial product quality data and a long suspected systematic influence in the multi OEM Body in White Process. The discovery led to the development of a patented cyber-physical inspection system that is able to identify and eject faulty geometric fixtures that cause the systematic influence from the process in real time. The backbone of the process is a big data algorithm that extrapolates geometric dimensional deviations of the geometric fixtures from serial quality data of the products and consequently decides which fixture to eject next. The presentation discusses challenges and benefits of developing and implementing the system into a high volume serial process.

Elias Gottsbacher, HTL-Kaindorf
Jan Traußnigg, HTL-Kaindorf
Philip Orosel , HTL-Kaindorf

In this presentation, we will share our experience as high school students developing a fully autonomous rescue robot for the RoboCup Rescue Maze competition. Using the advanced ROS2 framework, we took on the challenge of building and programming a robot capable of autonomous navigation, sensor integration, and decision-making. From LiDAR mapping to action queues and obstacle detection, we’ve tackled each technical hurdle to create a robot that can solve complex tasks in real time. This robot is the foundation for our upcoming RoboCup competition, and we are working on further improvements in the lead-up to the event. We are excited to showcase what we’ve achieved and the skills we’ve developed along the way.

Robin Lueger, HTL-Kapfenberg
Kevin Hierzerbauer , HTL-Kapfenberg

The turning station for precision flat steel is primarily designed to optimise throughput times and employee safety. Another advantage is that turning can be carried out without scratching, which protects the surface. Currently, the employees have to turn the workpiece manually. For smaller and therefore lighter precision flat steels, this causes few problems. However, for large and therefore heavier precision flat steels, ergonomic, safe and scratch-free turning is not guaranteed. Therefore, the integration of an automated turning station for precision flat steels is advantageous. It not only ensures optimised throughput times and improves employee safety, but also enables scratch-free turning. This improves ergonomics and quality. In the course of this thesis, a choice was made between two options and the more promising one was designed. The space available at voestalpine Böhler Bleche GmbH and the dimensions of the parts produced were taken into account. This resulted in the concept of a drum turner, which was calculated and designed. The decision to integrate an automated turning station for precision flat steel resulted from the need to optimise throughput times and improve employee safety. Another decisive advantage is the possibility of scratch-free turning, which preserves the surface integrity of the workpieces. The design of a drum turner, which is tailored to the space available and the dimensions of the parts, enables efficient and quality-orientated turning. This measure helps to improve ergonomic standards and increase the work quality

Patrick Haslinger, Dareto GmbH

In an era characterized by digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, under-standing the importance of interconnected data is essential for organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of IIoT technologies. This interconnectedness enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized operations, driving efficiency and productivity across industries. By embracing relationships between data, organizations can unlock new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage in the evolv-ing landscape of IIoT.

Bernhard Schenkenfelder, Research Team Lead Human‑Centered System Design at Software Competence Center Hagenberg (SCCH)

Low-code development is a programming paradigm that promises efficiency by saving time, abstraction by reducing the amount of code, and empowerment by enabling end-user developers to program software. After introducing the theoretical foundations of low-code, Bernhard presents the results of four industry-academia collaborations in this area, using a visual metaphor to deliver on the above promises. He concludes with a work in progress on how to incorporate AI into the low-code approach.

Dominik Wörz, alpLytics

Let’s explore the transformative power of data and how we can create valuable solutions with machine learning and algorithms. We will outline the process of a data project and pre-sent potential scenarios for companies in different industries. Discover how the use of a mix of automation techniques can enhance data collection and preparation processes, optimis-ing efficiency and accuracy. Finally, we will conclude the presentation by illustrating these concepts with a fascinating real-world example.

Dipl.-Ing. Michael Eberle – Digifai – Eberle Automatische Systeme GmbH & Co KG

The design, manufacturing, and commissioning of modern, highly automated machines places high demands on everyone involved. Physics-based 3D simulation on the digital twin increases safety and reduces risk throughout the project. Long before the actual plant is built. In his presentation, Michael Eberle will show how this works and what is required.

Ing. Andreas Dorer, MBA – 46NORD AUTOMATION GmbH

The hype around cobots is enormous, and more and more established robot manufacturers are now offering collaborative robots. The robotics market is growing rapidly. Do cobots really provide the anticipated advantage in production, or are traditional industrial robots still untouchable?

DI Matthias Weyrer – JOANNEUM RESEARCH ROBOTICS

In aviation and space, parts are often replaced regularly regardless of their condition. Printed sensors for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) allow for more precise maintenance. Bionically optimized shapes reduce weight but create complex surfaces. Direct-to-Shape (DTS) technology addresses this by enabling inkjet printing on these surfaces using a stationary print head and a 6-axis robot. Effective printing requires considering the substrate geometry, print head, and robot’s kinematic constraints.