Industrial Robots-as-a-Service (IRaaS) - Resilient and responsive manufacturing systems enabled by rapidly deployable mobile robots
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng
Abstract
Current automation is reliant on large volume applications, with predictable market demands and stable product variants. For companies in emerging and global markets, it is difficult to adopt automation and remain responsive to market changes; as a result companies that need to be responsive are forced to adopt more expensive manual approaches, or rely on off-shore manufacturing in lower wage economies. To address this, UK manufacturing needs more responsive automation.
This project will investigate means to reduce the effort of deploying and repurposing generic off-the-shelf robots and mobile autonomous platforms, and provide them with the ability to work in teams with people and other robots. This will provide the foundation to use Industrial Robots-as-a-Service (IRaaS).
The IRaaS model will allow manufacturers to quickly respond to meet the demands of changing markets, dynamically organise work to maximise their productivity, and be less exposed to any sudden shocks and system failures. This will augment the capability of the skilled human workforce who will be enabled by automation that is responsive to human-defined production needs.
The IRaaS model will also bring the key benefits inherent to product service systems. From a reliability perspective, the system will be resilient as malfunctioning robots can easily be replaced; from a financial perspective, the model will remove the need for large capital investment by enabling subscription based services; and from an environmental perspective, it will enable sustainable manufacturing concepts such as repair, re-use and re-manufacture, eliminating the waste and cost of decommissioning monolithic automation equipment.
This project will investigate means to reduce the effort of deploying and repurposing generic off-the-shelf robots and mobile autonomous platforms, and provide them with the ability to work in teams with people and other robots. This will provide the foundation to use Industrial Robots-as-a-Service (IRaaS).
The IRaaS model will allow manufacturers to quickly respond to meet the demands of changing markets, dynamically organise work to maximise their productivity, and be less exposed to any sudden shocks and system failures. This will augment the capability of the skilled human workforce who will be enabled by automation that is responsive to human-defined production needs.
The IRaaS model will also bring the key benefits inherent to product service systems. From a reliability perspective, the system will be resilient as malfunctioning robots can easily be replaced; from a financial perspective, the model will remove the need for large capital investment by enabling subscription based services; and from an environmental perspective, it will enable sustainable manufacturing concepts such as repair, re-use and re-manufacture, eliminating the waste and cost of decommissioning monolithic automation equipment.
Organisations
- Loughborough University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Robots of London (Project Partner)
- Vikaso Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Sunamp (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Antobot Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Cambrian Intelligence (Project Partner)
- AI Vision Robotics (Project Partner)
- Airbus Group Limited(Airbus Group Ltd) (Project Partner)
- Leidos Security & Automation Limited (Project Partner)
- Measurement Solutions Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Cycles Maximus Ltd (Project Partner)
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (Project Partner)
- RAR UK Automation Ltd. (Project Partner)
- True Position Robotics Ltd (Project Partner)
- Prospedia Capital (Project Partner)
- GKN AEROSPACE SERVICES LIMITED (Project Partner)
- Tepeo Ltd (Project Partner)
- BARA (British Automation & Robot Assoc) (Project Partner)
- myenergi Ltd. (Project Partner)
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Buerkle A
(2023)
Towards industrial robots as a service (IRaaS): Flexibility, usability, safety and business models
in Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Lupi F
(2023)
Automatic definition of engineer archetypes: A text mining approach
in Computers in Industry
Related Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/V050966/1 | 30/06/2021 | 29/04/2024 | £1,436,069 | ||
| EP/V050966/2 | Transfer | EP/V050966/1 | 30/04/2024 | 29/06/2026 | £486,647 |
| Description | The Industrial Robots-as-a-Service (IRaaS) project is exploring new ways to make industrial robots more flexible, easy to use, and safe, while also developing sustainable business models for their deployment. The research has already achieved significant progress towards its objectives, with several key findings and technological advancements that bring us closer to making robots more accessible for manufacturing and industrial applications. Some objectives are still to be completed in line with the project plan. Key Achievements of the IRaaS Project: 1. Understanding the IRaaS Concept - A detailed literature review was conducted to explore the flexibility, usability, safety, and business models associated with IRaaS. The study highlighted challenges and opportunities in providing robotic capabilities as a service, rather than requiring companies to purchase expensive robotic systems outright. 2. Defining Requirements for Industrial Robots-as-a-Service - The research identified the key technical and operational requirements necessary for successful IRaaS implementation. These include factors like ease of programming, seamless integration with human workers, and the ability to adapt to different manufacturing tasks. 3. Developing a Software Architecture for IRaaS - A new integrated software architecture based on ROS 2.0 (Robot Operating System 2.0) has been defined. This architecture allows for better coordination of robotic tasks, communication between different systems, and greater reliability in dynamic industrial environments. 4. Advancing Object Recognition and Pose Estimation - The project developed automatic object recognition and pose estimation for industrial components using synthetically generated training sets in simulation. This enables robots to identify and handle objects accurately, even if they haven't encountered them before in real-world settings. 5. Improving Object Detection in Cluttered Workspaces - A goal-oriented approach was created for automatic detection and localisation of objects in complex and cluttered industrial workplaces. This is crucial for robots operating in busy environments where objects may be stacked, partially hidden, or randomly arranged. 6. Enhancing Robotic Control for Assembly Tasks - The research produced a robust control method for aligning and assembling components using synthetic training data. This means that robots can learn how to fit parts together more effectively, improving efficiency and reducing errors in industrial assembly processes. 7. Orchestrating Adaptive Assembly with Behaviour Trees - A behaviour-tree-based approach was developed for orchestrating adaptive assembly sequences. This allows robots to adjust their actions based on real-time feedback, making them more adaptable to different tasks. Additionally, this approach was used for the automatic generation of object recognition training datasets, speeding up AI learning. 8. Multi-Camera Integration for Human-Robot Collaboration - A multi-camera system was integrated to enable robust tracking of human operators. This is essential for improving task coordination and human-robot handovers, making industrial robots safer and more efficient when working alongside people. Progress and Next Steps: The project has successfully reached a good number of its objectives, demonstrating significant advancements in robotic intelligence, perception, and interaction with human workers. However, some objectives remain in progress and will be completed as planned, ensuring that the full potential of IRaaS is realized. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of the Industrial Robots-as-a-Service (IRaaS) project can be applied in several ways to advance industrial automation. Possible impact scenarios for specific outcomes could include, but not be limited, to the following: 1. Adoption by Industry - Manufacturers can integrate the IRaaS software architecture and automated object recognition tools to enhance robot adaptability, reducing setup time and costs. 2. Commercialization of IRaaS Models - Companies can develop subscription-based robotics services, allowing smaller businesses to access advanced automation without high upfront investment. 3. Further Research & Development - The synthetic training data methods and multi-camera tracking can be refined for improved AI-driven robotics, benefiting researchers in AI, vision systems, and robotics. 4. Human-Robot Collaboration - The robust control techniques for assembly tasks can improve safe and efficient human-robot teamwork, enabling robots to assist in complex manufacturing environments. 5. Standardization & Policy Influence - Findings on safety and usability can inform industry standards and regulatory guidelines, shaping the future of flexible robotic deployment. By leveraging these advancements, industries, researchers, and policymakers can drive the next generation of intelligent, service-based robotics. |
| Sectors | Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/intelligent-automation/research/projects/industrial-robots-as-a-service/ |
| Description | EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Robotics, Automation & Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing & Materials (RESCu-M2) |
| Amount | £11,839,509 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/Z532873/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2024 |
| End | 09/2031 |
| Description | Discussion with Mount Robotics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the IRaaS project, which increased interest for future collaboration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Discussions with Arrival, London, and partner forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the IRaaS project, which increased interest for future collaboration. also MSI partner forum attendance 27.03.23 to further collaborative work |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2023 |
| Description | IRaaS Project Launch Event/Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 20 external industrial partners and 8 Loughborough University team members attended the IRaaS launch event/workshop to kick start this project. All partners gave a PowerPoint presentation and discussed what they hoped to gain from participating in this project, whilst the project lead provided information on how the project would be managed, together with its aims and objectives. This was followed by a workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://iraas.net/events/ |
| Description | Visit to Measurement Solutions, Derby |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the IRaaS project, which increased interest for future collaboration single visit between Sept 21 and Feb 22 and attendance at Partners Forum on 27th March 23 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2023 |
| URL | https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TKDEsA_asU88sxhJ6hTFij1zWEogZl9mnf8E7uF9Gnem0PR35ZbItSeAsp8MvAkp.w... |
| Description | Visit to True Position Robotics, Nottingham and project engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the IRaaS project, which increased interest for future collaboration. Also participated in MSI center meeting in Dec 21 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Visit to Vikaso, Quainton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the Centre's IRaaS project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Discussions regarding possible collaboration in relation to the IRaaS project, which increased interest for future collaboration |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |