FOCUS ON AI
Image: © Bielefeld University / Norma Langohr.
How can humans and machines be brought together in ways that benefit both? This question drives the new‘ Humation – Human-Centred Automation’ competence network, founded jointly by Bielefeld University and the Fraunhofer IOSB-INA in Lemgo, Germany. The aim is to shape interactions between people, artificial intelligence( AI) and automation so that work processes become safer, more flexible and more efficient— while keeping humans at the centre.
“ We want to develop technologies that enhance human abilities, rather than replace them,” said Dr.-Ing. Marc Hesse, head of the cognitronics team at Bielefeld University and member of the scientific advisory board of the Centre for Cognitive Interaction Technology( CITEC).“ When humans and machines work together as partners, they form a hybrid team that is more creative, adaptive and sustainable.”
Founders of the new‘ Humation’ competence network.
Image: © Bielefeld University.
“ This new shared platform for research and practice aims to shape interactions between people, artificial intelligence( AI) and automation.”
HUMANS AND MACHINES: A NEW NETWORK
How can work processes become safer, more flexible and more efficient— while keeping humans at the centre? Enter the new Humation— Human-Centred Automation Competence Network.....
Shared platform for research and practice
The alliance brings together the university’ s fundamental research with the applicationoriented expertise of Fraunhofer IOSB-INA. This combination enables practical solutions in fields such as collaborative robotics— robots working closely with humans— and the integration of AI into automated processes.
One example is the“ Humation Collaboratory. OWL” joint project, a research lab digitally connecting the Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics( CoR-Lab) in Bielefeld and the Fraunhofer Institute with the SmartFactoryOWL in Lemgo. There, humans and robots work side by side( e. g. in heatpump production). Intelligent robots take over subtasks and support skilled workers during assembly, helping to reduce bottlenecks and make workflows more efficient.
“ Many companies are under pressure today: too few skilled workers and too much complexity. With‘ Humation’, we combine modern technology with human expertise and, thanks to digital twins, processes become simpler and faster,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Jasperneite, Director of Fraunhofer IOSB-INA.
Image: © Bielefeld University / indigo( c) 2023.
The“ EXPLORE” project is developing the first research platform for digital twins in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region of Germany. Digital twins are dynamic, virtual representations of real machines or production lines. They help companies to simulate, optimise and make processes more sustainable before they are implemented in a real environment.
A human-centric approach
Humation’ s approach aligns with the European“ Industry-5.0” strategy, which places humans at the core of a sustainable and resilient industrial landscape.
“ At the heart of human-centred automation is the human being as an active shaper of technical systems. The goal is not to fully automate work but to design workplaces that are suitable for people— focusing on safety, well-being and the expansion of skills. Ethical, legal and social considerations are integrated into the research from the outset. This‘ integrated research approach’ ensures that new technologies are developed responsibly and with societal needs in mind,” said the university.
“ For small and medium-sized enterprises( SMEs), Humation offers hands-on support— from lab tours and expert communities to consultancy and implementation projects. This ensures that scientific knowledge flows directly into the regional economy, while industry experience feeds back into research,” it concluded. n
www. iosb-ina. fraunhofer. de / en
www. uni-bielefeld. de /
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