Robotics and intelligent Systems

Robots in the limelight!

Robotics deals with the design, programming and use of robots in various scenarios and applications.

In the laboratory for robotics and intelligent systems, different robotic systems are examined in order to cover a broad spectrum of current technologies. The lab deals with mobile and humanoid robots as well as stationary robots with gripper arms.

Purpose of lab

The use of the Robot Operating System (ROS) simplifies the development of applications, as it makes it possible to largely dispense with the specific technical characteristics of the individual robots.

This means that similar programming models can be used, which makes it easier to get started with robot programming and makes the use of robots in different scenarios more efficient.

Lab equipment

Mobile robots and driving robots

... are used to explore, navigate and create maps in 2D space (SLAM). The basic functionalities of service robots, such as vacuum cleaning and lawn mowing robots, are investigated. Further questions arise in scenarios in which the interaction of several robots plays a role, such as the transfer of objects between two robots. Technology: Turtlebots.

Humanoid robots and walking robots

... are designed to simulate more complex movement sequences. For example, a robot takes on the role of a fitness trainer and performs certain gymnastics exercises. A human repeats these. Here, the robot is supposed to analyse the human's movements and provide feedback. Technologies: Robotis OP3, Poppy, Pepper, Nao.

Collaborating robots and cobots

... are stationary robots with a gripper arm that performs movements in 3D space. Cobots learn complex sequences from humans and then implement them independently. This also includes the “interaction” of two cobots − for example, they play chess against each other, with the gripper arms guiding the pieces. Technology: Horst from fruitcore robotics.