Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MASTER (Mixed reality ecosystem for teaching robotics in manufacturing)
Período documentado: 2023-01-01 hasta 2024-06-30
Mixed reAlity ecoSystem for Teaching Robotics in Manufacturing (MASTER) aims to develop innovative solutions using Extended Reality (XR) technologies to enhance education/training approaches and resources for teaching and learning robotics in manufacturing.
As manufacturing advances with Industry 4.0 and 5.0 there is a growing focus on human-centric approaches, sustainability, and technologies like robotics and XR. One challenge is addressing the skills gap, especially in reskilling low- and mid-level workers. MASTER addresses this by developing an Open XR platform for immersive, interactive robotics training. The platform empowers non-XR experts, such as trainers and educators, to create and manage XR-based content for workforce upskilling in robotics and automation.
Key components include:
- Pillar 1: The Open XR Platform, enabling XR-based content creation and management.
- Pillars 2-4: Technological functions targeting robot interaction, user-friendly programming, and gaze-based interactions.
- Pillar 5: XR-based robotics training materials.
MASTER will also launch two Open Calls (OC1, OC2) to expand and validate XR technologies and training content.
Short-term outcomes include innovative XR applications for education, while long-term impacts focus on inclusivity, sustainable jobs, and addressing robotics skills gaps. Success will be measured by KPIs such as time reduction in XR content creation, improved user safety and confidence, and increased exposure to hands-on training with XR.
As manufacturing advances with Industry 4.0 and 5.0 there is a growing focus on human-centric approaches, sustainability, and technologies like robotics and XR. One challenge is addressing the skills gap, especially in reskilling low- and mid-level workers. MASTER addresses this by developing an Open XR platform for immersive, interactive robotics training. The platform empowers non-XR experts, such as trainers and educators, to create and manage XR-based content for workforce upskilling in robotics and automation.
Key components include:
- Pillar 1: The Open XR Platform, enabling XR-based content creation and management.
- Pillars 2-4: Technological functions targeting robot interaction, user-friendly programming, and gaze-based interactions.
- Pillar 5: XR-based robotics training materials.
MASTER will also launch two Open Calls (OC1, OC2) to expand and validate XR technologies and training content.
Short-term outcomes include innovative XR applications for education, while long-term impacts focus on inclusivity, sustainable jobs, and addressing robotics skills gaps. Success will be measured by KPIs such as time reduction in XR content creation, improved user safety and confidence, and increased exposure to hands-on training with XR.
The MASTER project has made significant progress in technical and scientific activities across its work packages (WPs):
1. WP1: XR Platform for Robotics in Manufacturing Training
- T1.1 (Educational Use Cases): Identified educational use cases targeting low to intermediate skill levels in robotics, focusing on students and the workforce. Defined scenarios for the XR platform based on user feedback (D1.1 M6).
- T1.2 (Platform Components): Defined functional areas (CREATE, LEARN, SERVICES, EXECUTE) for developing robotics content and managing XR-based training (D1.2 M9).
- T1.3 (Platform Development): Developed the XR platform iteratively with feedback from education and training experts (D1.2 M9; D1.3 M18).
- T1.4 (Health & Safety in Manufacturing): Created XR components for health and safety training in robotics (D1.5 M9; D1.6 M18).
- T1.5 (Robotic Application Programming): Developed intuitive programming methods for robots using PbD and visual support (D1.8 M9; D1.9 M18).
- T1.6 (Multimodal Interfaces): Developed human-hologram interaction mechanisms using eye-gazing methods (D1.11 M9; D1.12 M18).
2. WP2: Didactic Material Preparation
- ALE collaborated with partners to design educational XR scenarios and created multimedia robotics training materials. A library of reusable didactic functions was developed for educational XR scenes (D2.1 M21).
3. WP3: Open Calls Management
- Launched the 1st Open Call (OC1), receiving 64 applications, with 42 evaluated by 15 external reviewers. 17 applications were successfully selected for funding (D3.1 M17; D3.2 M21).
4. WP4: Experiments Execution, Monitoring, and Validation
- Designed experiments to validate technologies in health and safety, robot programming, and gaze-based interaction. Initial experiments involved 10 participants, providing valuable feedback for further refinement.
1. WP1: XR Platform for Robotics in Manufacturing Training
- T1.1 (Educational Use Cases): Identified educational use cases targeting low to intermediate skill levels in robotics, focusing on students and the workforce. Defined scenarios for the XR platform based on user feedback (D1.1 M6).
- T1.2 (Platform Components): Defined functional areas (CREATE, LEARN, SERVICES, EXECUTE) for developing robotics content and managing XR-based training (D1.2 M9).
- T1.3 (Platform Development): Developed the XR platform iteratively with feedback from education and training experts (D1.2 M9; D1.3 M18).
- T1.4 (Health & Safety in Manufacturing): Created XR components for health and safety training in robotics (D1.5 M9; D1.6 M18).
- T1.5 (Robotic Application Programming): Developed intuitive programming methods for robots using PbD and visual support (D1.8 M9; D1.9 M18).
- T1.6 (Multimodal Interfaces): Developed human-hologram interaction mechanisms using eye-gazing methods (D1.11 M9; D1.12 M18).
2. WP2: Didactic Material Preparation
- ALE collaborated with partners to design educational XR scenarios and created multimedia robotics training materials. A library of reusable didactic functions was developed for educational XR scenes (D2.1 M21).
3. WP3: Open Calls Management
- Launched the 1st Open Call (OC1), receiving 64 applications, with 42 evaluated by 15 external reviewers. 17 applications were successfully selected for funding (D3.1 M17; D3.2 M21).
4. WP4: Experiments Execution, Monitoring, and Validation
- Designed experiments to validate technologies in health and safety, robot programming, and gaze-based interaction. Initial experiments involved 10 participants, providing valuable feedback for further refinement.
MASTER's strategy for achieving research, economic, and societal impacts is driven by robust communication, dissemination, and exploitation (D-E-C) efforts through WP5. Key progress during the first period includes:
- Communication (Task 5.2) and dissemination (Task 5.3) are ongoing throughout the project.
- ALE leads exploitation activities (Task 5.4) from M7.
- A general D-E-C strategy was formulated by M6 (D5.1) with component plans added by M9.
- MASTER's visual identity, website, and social media platforms were established to support communication efforts, including for OC1 (D5.4 M18).
- Dissemination included scientific publications, webinars, technology fairs, and interviews, reaching key audiences (D5.4 M18).
- Exploitation planning (Task 5.4) began by validating exploitable results and updating the commercialization route for the Open XR Platform. The first exploitation plan (D5.2) was submitted by M18.
- Collaboration with other projects started, supported by Horizon Results Booster services, focusing on joint dissemination (D5.4 M18).
The strategy is applied to each Key Exploitable Result (KER), revised based on advancements. Key KERs include the XR platform, virtual learning content, mixed reality safety features, programming tools, and gaze-based interaction in XR settings. Companies also receive funding to integrate and validate XR technologies.
To maximize the impact and facilitate exploitation, both internal and external measures are proposed:
Internal Measures:
1. Further R&D investment in expanding the XR platform.
2. Demonstration projects for technology refinement.
3. Strengthened IP protection and IPR training.
4. Commercialization strategy focusing on market segmentation and business models.
External Measures:
1. Seek public funding, venture capital, and partnerships.
2. Internationalization through market research, alliances, and participation in global events.
3. Regulatory support and compliance.
4. Showcasing the platform and publishing research.
5. Standardization and certification for credibility.
Impact Maximization:
1. Economic impact through job creation, skills development, and market growth.
2. Societal impact focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, and workforce transformation.
3. Scientific impact by encouraging further research and innovation.
- Communication (Task 5.2) and dissemination (Task 5.3) are ongoing throughout the project.
- ALE leads exploitation activities (Task 5.4) from M7.
- A general D-E-C strategy was formulated by M6 (D5.1) with component plans added by M9.
- MASTER's visual identity, website, and social media platforms were established to support communication efforts, including for OC1 (D5.4 M18).
- Dissemination included scientific publications, webinars, technology fairs, and interviews, reaching key audiences (D5.4 M18).
- Exploitation planning (Task 5.4) began by validating exploitable results and updating the commercialization route for the Open XR Platform. The first exploitation plan (D5.2) was submitted by M18.
- Collaboration with other projects started, supported by Horizon Results Booster services, focusing on joint dissemination (D5.4 M18).
The strategy is applied to each Key Exploitable Result (KER), revised based on advancements. Key KERs include the XR platform, virtual learning content, mixed reality safety features, programming tools, and gaze-based interaction in XR settings. Companies also receive funding to integrate and validate XR technologies.
To maximize the impact and facilitate exploitation, both internal and external measures are proposed:
Internal Measures:
1. Further R&D investment in expanding the XR platform.
2. Demonstration projects for technology refinement.
3. Strengthened IP protection and IPR training.
4. Commercialization strategy focusing on market segmentation and business models.
External Measures:
1. Seek public funding, venture capital, and partnerships.
2. Internationalization through market research, alliances, and participation in global events.
3. Regulatory support and compliance.
4. Showcasing the platform and publishing research.
5. Standardization and certification for credibility.
Impact Maximization:
1. Economic impact through job creation, skills development, and market growth.
2. Societal impact focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, and workforce transformation.
3. Scientific impact by encouraging further research and innovation.