The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute has announced eight new short-cycle technology projects totaling nearly $1.56 million in funding. These efforts aim to address diverse manufacturing needs through collaboration between stakeholders.

The selected proposals cover robotic task planning, human-robot teaming, energetics production, and AI. Additional projects will produce market studies and technology roadmaps to guide future developments.

ARM Chief Technology Officer Dr. Chuck Brandt noted, "These projects epitomize the strength of ARM Institute members and the impact of collaboration between different manufacturing stakeholders."

One project between Wichita State University, Siemens, and Spirit AeroSystems will outline steps for virtual commissioning of manufacturing systems. This enables digital simulation prior to physical installation for faster, more successful deployments.

Building on prior ARM-funded research, Ohio State University, CapSen Robotics, Yaskawa, and Warner Robins Air Force Base will boost productivity of a robotic metal forming system for small-volume, customized components.

Siemens and the University of Southern California will automate precise manipulation of granular and paste-like materials, like those used in energetics, to augment human operators. An AI approach based on imitation and reinforcement learning aims to enable flexible scooping and pouring.

Additional proposals will create market studies and technology roadmaps focused on AI, rapid robot retasking, space and hypersonic manufacturing, and more.

For the food industry, Dexai Robotics and MIT will double an ingredient-picking robot's speed and meal throughput by optimizing motion planning. The results could impact various manufacturing applications needing high speed and accuracy.

The Apparel Robotics Corporation and MassRobotics will develop robotic capabilities for handling cut fabric pieces of varying sizes and shapes, boosting automation in garment and aerospace production.

Finally, Aris Technology intends to create a collaborative framework that matches individual operators' expertise to appropriate robotic tasks. This will assist organizations in implementing human-robot and robot-machine teaming.

In summary, the latest ARM Institute projects pursue cross-sector collaboration to progress robotics for manufacturing in multiple domains. From strategic planning to direct technology development, these efforts aim to accelerate adoption by tackling existing challenges.