Consortium

University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg


The University of Applied Science Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (FHBRS) is a rather young University with approximately 3700 students distributed over three campi in Sankt Augustin, Rheinbach and Hennef. The university employs 100 professors and a number of associate lecturers from industry and co-operating research facilities. A steadily increasing and versatile curriculum comprises 15 different programs in economy and business administration, computer science, electrical and mechanical engineering and applied science. In 2002, FHBRS established an International Master Program on Autonomous Systems with about 40 students from all over the world currently enrolled in the program. The program has a strong focus on system design and engineering (including topics such as system architecture, middleware, integration frameworks) and on learning and reasoning (machine learning, probabilistic reasoning).

Role in the project: The Univ. of Applied Science Bonn-Rhein-Sieg is coordinating the activity "Middleware for Robot Manipulation and Service Robots" (WP3) and maintains the liaison to IEEE Standards.

Lund University / Institute of Technology

Lund University, with seven faculties and a number of research centres and specialized institutes, is the largest unit of research and higher education in Sweden. Its technical faculty is the Lund Institute of Technology. Robotics research at LTH is based on high-quality scientific work in different core technology areas, which is then integrated in a problem-oriented manner into laboratory facilities shared by different departments (Automatic Control, Computer Science, Robotics division of Dept. Mechanical Engineering, Computer Vision group of Dept. Mathematics and the Dept. of Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation). There is no formal robotics research centre at LTH, but robotics is the thematic area unifying different areas of research in an industrially oriented manner, considering integration of sciences/systems and with focus on real industrial applications. World-class competence within control theory and computer vision, as well as software and system integration competence give LTH an important role in RoSta.

Role in the project: Action coordinator WP2, work package member WP1, WP3.

University of Verona


Autonomous and tele-operated systems for service robotics and computer assisted surgery are the two main areas of research of the Robotics Laboratory ALTAIR, of the University of Verona (UVR). In the area of tele-operation research, active projects include haptic human-robot interfaces, dedicated software/hardware architectures, sensor processing and fusion, soft object modeling and haptic rendering, control architectures for autonomy, and optimal control. In the area of service robotics research is focused on mobile manipulation with emphasis on dynamic motion planning, non-holonomic control, mapping using stereo vision and localization. The laboratory is also very active in robotics education, supporting the regular courses at UVR, but also classes for high school students (project TANDEM) and continuing education for professionals (project TIGER).

Role in the project: Action coordinator WP1, member of WP2-3.

Sagem Défense Sécurité


Sagem Défense Sécurité is a subsidiary of the SAFRAN group (€10.4bn turnover 2004, 55 000 persons with core businesses in aeronautics systems and equipment, telecommunication, defense and Security). Sagem DS is the company of the group dealing with defense electronics and security with a turnover of €1,200bn and 6,756 persons. Sagem DS develops and produces the following :

• Security systems and equipment for border surveillance, people identification (world leader in biometry), ciphering and smart cards for secure payment and communication.
• Defense equipment for land, sea and air operations based on optronics (European leader), inertial navigation (European leader), communication and information systems.
• Civil aeronautics equipment and systems such as actuators, flight control systems and information systems. Thanks to this experience combined with the experience in security Sagem DS runs the SAFEE project (Aeronautic FP6 first call) as coordinator. SAFEE addresses future aircraft protection against hijacking.

Sagem DS is active to support the EC R&T policy with participation to the EC ETPs initiatives. Sagem DS has currently the chair of the EUROP etp and is member of the executive board of the Photonics platform.

Role in the project: Work package member of WP1-4.
Sagem terminated its participation in the project April 2008

Visual Components Oy

Visual Components is a world leading 3D manufacturing simulation and visualization specialist, offering machine builders, system integrators and companies using complex turnkey manufacturing solutions a simple, quick and highly cost effective way to build and simulate their total process solutions. As models are easy to share and reuse companies can eliminate the need for expensive simulation consultants and shave millions of dollars off their annual simulation consultancy bills. Smaller and medium sized companies can take advantage of the low cost of ownership and join the large corporations in sharing the full benefit provided by visual component based 3D simulation. Our expertise in materials handling and logistics simulations combined with off-line programming and robot cell design give provide a good knowledge source for the RoSta project.

Role in the project: Work package member of WP1 and WP2.

GPS Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme GmbH

Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme GmbH (GPS) was founded in 1999 as a spin-off by the Fraunhofer Institute of Manufacturing and Automation (FhG-IPA). The GPS two main activities include (1) system and product development in the field of service robotics and (2) project management and technology transfer and marketing. Competencies are focused on the support of R&D projects in the scope of information and automation technology. This support covers all project phases, from advisory assistance during the planning of a research and development project (e.g. for contents-related planning and initiation of a project) to day-to-day project management and operational support of the project coordinator and giving advice and support in exploiting the results. GPS is experienced in conducting large scale, multi-partner scientific projects in the field of robotics.

Role in the project: Day-to-day management.

EUnited

EUnited - The European Engineering Industries Association - is a non-profit organisation which was founded in 2004 and which is located in Brussels. The aim of EUnited is to promote and support at an international level the European engineering industries. EUnited Robotics is a sector association of EUnited which was founded in 2004 by major robot manufacturers. EUnited Robotics, based in Brussels, is the voice of the European robotics manufacturers and system integrators in Europe creating a network of the industry leaders. The association is the cooperation platform between all stakeholders - from research institutes to national associations and customers. EUnited Robotics is a non-profit association. As the European Association for Robotics one of our core tasks is networking with partners along the robotics value chain in order to strengthen the position of our members in the global economy. EUnited Robotics is also in close contact with the IFR Statistical Department which is operating the robotics statistics on a worldwide level.

Role in the project: Work package member in WP1-4