Cutting-edge research in robotics and optimization algorithms for manufacturing and materials engineering.

The ROBOPROX project addresses the current demands of the Czech industry to resolve the rapid transformation of the sector and stay competitive at European and global levels. In particular, the project focuses on development of new algorithms and optimization methods for advanced industrial production. It covers interdisciplinary research at the intersection of optimization, systems theory, and materials engineering for the design, simulation, and fabrication of modular structures and surface engineering. ROBOPROX will involve up to 180 top experts and offers dozens of new PhD and postdoctoral positions for talented scientists.

With a total budget of CZK 467.9 million, ROBOPROX was selected among 26 elite projects that the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the European Commission support within the Excellent Research Call of the Operational Program Johannes Amos Comenius (OP JAK). ROBOPROX is the only project supported under this call that focuses on research in the field of robotics and industrial informatics.

Professor Zdeněk Hanzálek, Principal Investigator of ROBOPROX from the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU). Photo: Jiří Ryszawy.

Objectives

The project aims to transform Czech and European companies to provide more flexible, complex, competitive, and sustainable industrial production. Mathematical modeling, data-driven approaches, simulations, optimization algorithms, and formal methods are gaining wide acceptance in the industry. However, suitable tools are needed because there are no underlying concepts, linkable models, and high-performance algorithms. This need opens a clear opportunity for the ROBOPROX project to create an excellent new research environment for developing and deploying innovative research approaches in the industry.

  1. Implementation of main research activities within two research work packages
  2. Strengthening the R&D capacity by establishing and developing excellent research teams in the fields of robotics and advanced industrial production
  3. Establishing new international collaboration
  4. Strengthening the international collaboration of ROBOPROX research teams
  5. Acquisition of instrumental and infrastructural equipment necessary for the implementation of research projects
  6. Supporting the mobility of researchers – Implementation of the mobility programme

AIC's contribution

Researchers from our Center are involved in one of the key activities titled Robotic routing in dynamic human-populated industrial environments. This task aims at higher efficiency and productivity in factory logistics and agriculture, using non-myopic planning and self-improving systems. The focus is on combinatorial sequencing and continuous optimization, augmented by the robot’s motion constraints. Researchers wish to ensure quality guarantees with practical applicability in real-life deployments and method generalization to dynamic problems wherein the system’s performance can benefit from understanding long-term dynamics and online decision-making.

Video introduction of the Research Area 10 (Robotic Routing), presented by Tomáš Krajník.

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Project info

Supported by: Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports
Co-funded by: European Union
Program: OP JAK (EH22_008/0004590)
Project duration: 2024–2028
Project website: roboprox.eu

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