Robotics and automation are key technologies that contribute significantly to maintaining competitiveness and prosperity in Germany and Europe. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also crucial for this, because:

• AI drives technological advances that strengthen our economy and drive export success
• AI forms the basis for innovative business models
• AI can address the challenges of the labor market, such as the shortage of skilled workers

What AI makes possible in concrete terms
While the recognition and handling of known objects, for example, can be easily solved using traditional methods of image processing and robot programming, this does not apply to unknown objects. The use of robots in unstructured environments has also only been possible to a limited extent to date.

However, the integration of AI makes it possible to estimate the shape, position and material properties of unknown objects. This makes precise gripping processes feasible and a wide variety of objects can be handled safely. Thanks to AI-supported image processing, robots can analyze and react to visual data in real time, making them significantly more adaptable. In addition, AI enables robots to learn from gripping tests and continuously adapt their strategies, making them more efficient and reliable.

Finally, large language models can significantly expand the capabilities of robots. The interaction between humans and machines becomes more natural and effective, which opens up new approaches for the efficient commissioning and adaptation of robotic solutions.

Objective of RoX
To enable AI-based robotics, RoX:

• The integration of AI in robotic systems
• Harnessing AI for robot-assisted applications
• The implementation of data/services ecosystems

What is RoX working on to achieve these three goals?

• Flexible handling of diverse data and complex software modules - across the entire life cycle of robotic systems
• On a new form of embedding robotic systems and their development tools - on an operational framework from development to everyday production
• A decentralized data and services ecosystem as a framework and for holistic business models
• The use of multi-provider cloud edge infrastructures for a high level of technological and data-related sovereignty - this includes in particular the protection of sensitive and IP-related data
• Sustainability aspects, such as the efficient processing of large volumes of data and an overall energy-efficient implementation of the ecosystem

The aforementioned goals imply the conception and exemplary implementation of a decentralized data and service ecosystem. In addition, the RoX ecosystem enables comprehensive and value-adding cooperation and collaboration between all relevant stakeholders. Data spaces within digital ecosystems are an important building block for this, as they allow data to be used in a synergetic, secure and scalable way, for example to raise existing robot systems and components to a new level of quality or efficiency with the help of AI and corresponding tools.

International cooperation
To achieve its goals, RoX also works with national and international initiatives. These include Manufacturing-X and various European projects from the 8ra IPCEI-CIS context.