System integration and validation in multi-functional collaborative robotic cell

• Grant number: 25/01408-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Design
• Principal Investigator: Emilia Villani
• Grantee: Ariele Teixeira Ferraz
• Host Institution: Divisão de Engenharia Mecânica (IEM). Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Company: Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Divisão de Engenharia Mecânica (IEM)
• Associated research grant: 21/11258-5 - Engineering Research Center for the Aerial Mobility of the Future (ERC-AMF), AP.PCPE

Abstract

This proposal approaches the challenge of investigating how to integrate, physically and dynamically, multiple systems when designing collaborative robotic cells for final assembly and investigates what aspects should be include in a comprehensive validation of collaborative robotic cells and how to evaluate them. Among the aspects initially being considered are performance, adherence to requirements, adherence to standards, safety, Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and human factors. The purpose of this project is the development of a systematic approach for dealing with integration issues that arises from the design of multi-task collaborative robotic cells, as well as performing a comprehensive validation based on the combination of existing techniques in a synergistic way. The approach should cover from the early stages of system specification, exploring the concept of virtual and real commissioning based on the Robotic Operational System (ROS) environment. For the cell validation, it should include the specification of safety and HMI requirements, the proposal of techniques for the verification of functional, safety and HMI requirements, the definition of robust and comprehensive testing suites, and analysis of human-robot interaction in the collaborative robotic cell. The evaluation of the proposed systematic approach will be done using as a case study the multi-functional collaborative robotic testbed of the Intelligent Aircraft Final Assembly (IAFA) research line of the Engineering Research Center for Future Air Mobility.