AI-enhanced cooperating robots for reconfigurable manufacturing of large parts

Abstract

Large parts manufacturing involves the production of low batch, possibly one-of-a-kind, components of high cost and complexity. Industry specific knowledge and skills are converging to the technological evolution brought by Industry 4.0 where ICT and automation boost productivity and product quality. This paper presents an approach towards assembly of large-scale parts, where the synergy of robots, human skills and ICT tools enable flexible production. High payload collaborative robots and mobile manipulators facilitate handling, exoskeletons and AR tools relieve the workers’ physical and cognitive stress, VR tools improve the workplace design, while the cell’s Digital Twin facilitates decision making.