Development of data-driven technologies in manufacturing in Ida-Viru County

A research group led by Karl Kruusamäe, Associate Professor of Robotics Engineering at the University of Tartu, will develop data-driven methods to facilitate production in Ida-Viru County over the next four years based on the needs of the industrial sector. The group will also lead the introduction of robotics teaching and research opportunities at Narva College.

Industry 4.0 and even Industry 5.0 set high expectations for data collection and the implementation of data-driven methods in manufacturing companies. Therefore, conditions and technical solutions must be created for data collection, processing, and validation in production-based digital technologies such as flexible manufacturing and human-robot collaboration.

The data-driven approach has proven itself strongly as an enabler of autonomous robotics, including machine vision and environmental interpretation, mapping the surroundings, activity planning, adaptation to rapidly changing situations, and human-machine interface.

The goal of a 4-year project implemented by the University of Tartu is to develop data-driven methods based on the needs of the industrial sector and create both hardware and software frameworks for the implementation of data-driven methods. Our researchers play a leading role in establishing the capabilities of robotics science and education in Ida-Viru County. An international robotics and artificial intelligence research group will be established at the University of Tartu Narva College, along with a high-tech laboratory available for both researchers and students. Thanks to the researchers and the innovative laboratory, there will be opportunities to offer technology-related collaboration and continuing education to businesses in Ida-Virumaa at the University of Tartu Narva College. Additionally, the research group supports the development of engineering skills in Ida-Virumaa and Estonia, as a new master's level technology curriculum for teaching robotics and AI topics is being created at Narva College. In addition to research work, the research group scientists will supervise doctoral, master's, and bachelor's students and contribute to the practical implementation of teaching.

The workgroup includes Associate Professor Karl Kruusamäe, Robotics Technology Lecturer Veiko Vunder, Junior Researchers Igor Rybalskii and Renno Raudmäe.

The research project, officially titled "Data Acquisition and Analysis for Manufacturing Companies and Other Institutions: Development of a Research Direction," is one of the projects in the Ida-Viru Fair Transition Research Consortium.

As of the beginning of 2024, all consortium projects have started, with 11 projects led by University of Tartu researchers.

Read more: University of Tartu The monitoring of transfer processes supporting the fair transition in Ida-Viru County has begun