The document outlines the i4ms initiative aimed at enhancing digital transformation in manufacturing SMEs, focusing on three industry-relevant challenges introduced in April 2014. It details the structured approach involving simulation contests, collaboration among technology developers and end-users, and various stages leading to field tests. The initiative aims to foster technology transfer from academia to industry and includes a grant budget of €7 million for challengers.

1. Enhancing Digital Transformation
in Manufacturing SMEs
22nd of May
Brussels
2015

2. Innovative Robotics &
Intelligent Manufacturing
INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW (Bruno Siciliano)
INTELLIGENT FIXTURES (Javier Garciá)
SME EXPERIENCE (Harold Breitbach)

3. EuRoC
WHAT WE ACHIEVED
HOW WE DID IT
HOW I4MS HELPED
HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
Bruno Siciliano
CREATE – University of Naples Federico II

4. WHAT WE ACHIEVED
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Three industry-relevant challenges were launched in April 2014 with open
calls for Challengers, Technology Developers, System Integrators and End
Users
● Each of the challenges is divided into three stages of increasing complexity
● The project will end in December 2017 with one EuRoC winner team
Reconfigurable Interactive
Manufacturing Cell
Shop Floor Logistics
and Manipulation
Plant Inspection
and Servicing

5. HOW WE DID IT
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Each challenge involves whole manufacturing supply chains within their
field, while favouring technology transfer from academia to industry
● All registered Challengers from each challenge undergo benchmarking
exercises in the form of a Simulation Contest during Stage I: Qualifying
● Selected Challengers from each challenge team up with partners from the
industry and share existing resources at three top European platforms in
Stage II: Realistic Labs
● In Stage III: Field Tests, Challenger teams must ensure sustainability and
adaptability to end users
Cumulative sum of € 7 M grant money available to the Challengers

6. HOW WE DID IT
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels

7. HOW I4MS HELPED
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
● Challengers — Research Organizations, companies or even private persons
● End Users (EUs) — Manufacturing companies who can provide use cases for the
Challenger teams
● Technology Developers (TDs) — Companies or research organizations developing
innovative technologies and looking for an application of their technology in the industrial
robotics domain
● System Integrators (SIs) — Companies that specialize in either bringing together robotic
components/subsystems or developing and commissioning whole robotic systems
● Campaigns for promotion of challenge program
● Publication of Call Announcement on EuRoC website
● Presentations at relevant networking events
● Featuring of EuRoC in numerous relevant Challenge Bulletins
● LinkedIn advertising campaign
● Organization of EuRoC Info Days with presentations (including from I4MS) and Q&A
● Dissemination through I4MS by newsletters and webinars

8. HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
Challenge 1 Challenge 2 Challenge 3
2/11 SME EUs
6/8 SME SIs
Submitted proposals
1/12 SME EUs 8/14 SME EUs
1/1 SME TD
Admitted to Stage II
7 RTs + 6 EUs + 3 SIs
4 SME EUs
8 RTs + 5 EUs 8 RTs + 5 EUs
3 SME EUs

9. HOW WE WILL TAKE IT FORWARD
I4MS 2015: Enhancing Digital Transformation in Manufacturing SMEs · 22nd of May · Brussels
Topics of Experiments involving SMEs
● Challenge 1
● Cooperative, safe and reconfigurable robotic companions for CNC pallets load/unload stations
● Intelligent and safe robotic co-workers for automotive assembly operations
● Robotized coils winding for electric machines manufacturing industry
● Reconfigurable assembly cell for highly dexterous and intelligent operations
● Challenge 3
● Autonomous MAV-based inspection systems for large structures
● Inside/outside chimney and smoke pipe inspection via aerial robots
● Visual inspection systems for wind turbines via teleoperated MAVs

10. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
bruno.siciliano@unina.it