RoX
© Fraunhofer IML - Sebastian Beierle
Digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics
Robotics plays a key role in automation, yet traditional systems often struggle in dynamic environments. The RoX project explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance robotics by making them more intelligent, adaptable, effective and sustainable. The focus is on developing a decentralized data and services ecosystem that supports AI-driven robotics throughout their entire lifecycle.
In the context of the decentralized data and services ecosystem for AI-driven robotics, data sovereignty, sustainability and energy efficiency are essential design principles. Furthermore, the RoX project cooperates closely with European initiatives such as Manufacturing-X and IPCEI-CIS. The project runs from September 2024 to February 2027 and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag with DARP funds.
No single market participant can cover or master the high complexity of AI-based robotic systems alone. This is why a consortium of leading industrial and scientific partner has set itself the goal of developing a digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics with scalable and innovative solutions for practical implementation. These use cases address the current needs of manufacturing companies as well as the logistics and service sectors and offer innovative, transferable solutions.
RoX addresses robotics use cases that focus on key areas of industrial automation. These include loading and unloading processes along the logistics chain, picking tasks in unstructured environments, multifunctional and location-flexible robotic systems in production, and AI-assisted commissioning of robotic systems. These use cases aim to improve the efficiency and flexibility of robotic systems in various industrial sectors.
The ecosystem use-cases in RoX will address e.g. the continuous improvement of AI-based robotic systems throughout their entire lifecycle and other sub-use-cases related to that topic.
Contribution of the Institute for AI Safety and Security
The Institute for AI Safety and Security leads DLR’s participation in RoX and is coordinating the project jointly with ABB, Siemens and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft. We also support the areas of dissemination, public relations and internationalization.
Within the project, we contribute our expertise in AI methods and safety aspects for robotics. Our key focus areas include:
- Data Ecosystems: Developing secure, modular, and decentralized data infrastructures for AI-driven robotics.
- Software Standardization: Establishing unified interfaces and standards for interoperable robotics software architectures.
- AI Algorithms for Robotics: Advancing intelligent control and planning methods for adaptive robotic systems as well as human/machine interaction.
