EU Funded Projects

Several projects funded by FET under the 5th Framework Programme which elaborate various aspects of advanced robotics or robotic subsystems are listed here. Other EU projects are listed below.

ALADIN, Natural language-based decision support in neurorehabilitation. Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), 2004-2007.

The main objective of the ARAMIES project is to develop a multi-functional, multi-degree of freedom, ambulatory robot that is capable of autonomous operation in extremely rough and/or steep environments. This research at the University of Bremen is sponsored by the European and German Space Agencies (ESA and DLR).

BIBA, Bayesian Inspired Brain and Artefacts.

COMIC, COnversational Multimodal Interactions with Computers. COMIC is an IST 5th framework project focusing on new methods of work and e-commerce. The main aim of COMIC is to define generic cognitive models for multimodal interaction and to evaluate these in a number of demonstrators.

ECAgents, Embodied and Communicating Agents aims to develop a new generation of embodied agents that are able to interact directly (i.e., without human intervention) with the physical world and to communicate between them and with other agents (including humans).

The FlexPaint project officially ended in 2002, but the development of the prototype is still ongoing.

FPSO-INSPECT Non-Intrusive In-service Inspection Robotic System for Condition Monitoring of Welds inside Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels. December 2004 - Jan 2007.

GENTLE/S, Robotic Assistance in Neuro and Motor Rehabilitation. Fifth Framework Programme (FP5), 2001-2003.

Geoplex, Geometric Network Modelling and Control of Complex Physical Systems.

HUMAINE is a network of excellence on emotions and human-machine interaction. It aims to lay the foundations for European development of systems that can register, model and/or influence human emotional and emotion-related states and processes - 'emotion-oriented systems'.

I-MATCH, a VR-based system to allow matching of an optimum interface to a User of Assistive Technology. Fifth Framework Programme (FP5), 2002-2005.

The main objective of MACS, Multi-sensory Autonomous Cognitive Systems, is to explore and exploit the concept of affordances for the design and implementation of autonomous mobile robots acting goal-directed in a dynamic everyday environment.

MAIA, Mental Augmentation through determination of Intended Action, aims to develop a non-invasive direct brain-computer interface that determines the subject's voluntary intent to do primitive motor actions and conveys this intention to a robot.

MOVEMENT Modular Versatile Mobility Enhancement Technology, uses an intelligent mobile (robotic) platform which can attach to a user definable selection of application modules (e.g. chair, manipulator, ICT Terminal) which then become powerful assistive devices. Movement of people, Movement of objects, and Movement of information are all comprehensively addressed.

RECSYS, Real-Time Embedded Control of Mobile Systems with Distributed Sensing.

Roboclimber, the climbing and drilling robot, is the result of several years of research and development by a strong group of leading company and universities in Europe. It is able to drill holes of 3 inch diameter (76 mm) more than 20 meters deep into rock, operate on a slope of any gradient over any kind of rocks, and is operated totally by remote.

Robovolc, a robot for volcano exploration, has a lovely picture gallery

SMErobot is an Integrated Project within the 6th Framework Programme of the EC to create a new family of SME-suitable robots and to exploit its potentials for competitive SME manufacturing.

SPARC, Secure Propulsion using Advanced Redundant Control.

Spark, Spatial-temporal Patterns for Action-oriented perception in Roving robots.

V4R, Vision for Robotics.

Victec, Virtual ICT with Empathic Characters, aims to apply synthetic characters and emergent narrative to Personal and Social education (PSE) for children aged 8-12. 3D self-animating characters will create improvised dramas in a virtual school, and the child user will be asked to help one of the characters to deal with their problems in these dramas. The project is focusing on the issue of bullying. The building of empathy between child and character is seen as a way of creating a novel educational experience.