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Teaching human-like abilities to heavy mobile machines through multisensory presence (TITAN)

Tampere University
1.1.2020–30.6.2022
Area of focusTechnology

Heavy-duty mobile machines have an important role in supporting Finland’s technology industries and its export sector. Heavy machinery includes not only forestry, construction and mining equipment but also lifting and transfer equipment used in factories and ports. In the past few years many have set their sights on developing robotic mobile machines to sustain their competitive advantage.Heavy-duty mobile machines have an important role in supporting Finland’s technology industries and its export sector. Heavy machinery includes not only forestry, construction and mining equipment but also lifting and transfer equipment used in factories and ports. In the past few years many have set their sights on developing robotic mobile machines to sustain their competitive advantage.

During the TITAN project, we will develop a generic and fully scalable human-robot interface that is essential for Finland’s technology industry to maintain a competitive edge. The first research challenge the team of researchers need to address involves the development of force-sensing and remote-controlled robotics for large-scale mobile machines, where the force generated by the human arm, amounting to a few kilograms, is scaled up Superman-style to the movements and forces of machines that carry loads weighing thousands of kilograms. The other challenge to be addressed during the project involves the teaching of human-like skills to a robot with the help of machine learning. The operator is provided with the forces sensed by the robot and 3D video and audio from augmented reality.

Funding source

The Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation and the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation through their joint Future Makers programme