RObot MANipulation of Deformables through dynamIC actions

Robot handling of deformable objects, such as textiles, is a research topic that has hit fertile ground with the advancement and accessibility of robot hardware, a change in thinking of application of robotics also outside of factories, and especially novel control and perception methodologies stemming from AI approaches.

The topic has sprouted different independent research efforts all over the world and in Europe.

At JSI, after some initial experiences, we recognize the potential impact in academia and society of this new research area, and believe we can become an important player.

We want to combine and bring forward separate efforts on this topic by making a network of academic and industrial stakeholders in combination with policy makers and regulators, create a roadmap for the future, and become a Center of Excellence (COE) in Robot Manipulation of Deformables in the truest sense of the definition, as a network of institutions collaborating with each other to pursue excellence in a particular area.

The proposed Twinning project initiative ROMANDIC (RObot MANipulation of Deformables through dynamIC actions) will provide the means to promote this novel and exciting field of research at JSI and internationally, but more importantly, facilitate and consolidate the managing and leading capabilities of (JSI) through knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice, so that it can indeed act as an informal COE.

The three participating institutions have the complementary expertise required to succeed in the research aspect of ROMANDIC, and also the infrastructure and organisational experience required to create and promote best practices and lead initiatives at the national and international levels. The three institutions collaborated already in the past in several EU projects.