The European Robotics Forum 2025 (ERF2025) in Stuttgart opened with a robust focus on transformation and sustainability in manufacturing. Keynote speaker Dr Joerg Burzer of Mercedes-Benz AG set the tone by presenting how innovative technologies are revolutionizing automotive production for a sustainable future. The opening was also augmented by inputs from leading voices in research, policy, and industry. Among many state-of-the-art EU-funded projects and companies showcased, AI-PRISM made a name for itself with a series of scientific contributions, interactive workshops, and public outreach events across the forum.
Scientific Contribution – Examining Human Factors in AI Positioning
On the technical front, AI-PRISM presented a paper titled “The Role of Human Factors in AI-Based Positioning on a Micrometer Scale”, written by Maryam Bathaei Javareshk, Sarah Fletcher, and Tomasz Kołcon of Łukasiewicz – PIAP and Cranfield University. The study was meant to assess the effect of human interaction on the smooth integration of AI-based positioning systems. A three-phase engagement program experimentally tested both physiological and subjective reactions, with the goal of improving ease of use and workload decrease in high-precision environments.
Interactive Workshops Enabling Collaboration and Insight
AI-PRISM featured in some of the several highly anticipated:
- Workshop #32 – Close Encounters of the Digital Kind
Thoroughly enjoyed as one of the most engaging sessions of the conference, this workshop explored the future of human-robot collaboration (HRC). The attendees engaged in an interactive design challenge using IF-AT scratch cards to co-design HRC blueprints. Presenters from AI-PRISM, FLUENTLY, SOPRANO, and FORTIS shared how cobots can be context-aware, resourceful, and trustworthy collaborators.
- Workshop #44 – Circularity in Robotics: Design and Use Cases
AI-PRISM collaborating projects like CIRCULOOS, FORGING, SHEREC, SMART CIRCUIT, and RENÉE discussed how robotics can support circular supply chains. Topics discussed included robotised battery production, recycling ships, and wood treatment. The two-part workshop blended in-depth presentations with interactive group workshops and concluded with a panel discussion on research and innovation priorities.
- Workshop #45 – Remanufacturing and Recycling: Are Robots the Way to a Sustainable Future?
AI-PRISM organized this session jointly with SOPRANO, REEPRODUCE, BatteReverse, and others. It explored future prospects for robotics augmented by AI to aid in remanufacturing and recycling, two of the pillars of the circular economy. The workshop reflected strong interest in using robotics for sustainability-based activities.
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Poster Presentation – Understanding Point Estimation of Fragile Objects
PROFACTOR AI-PRISM researcher Sebastian Ukleja presented the poster “Low-Cost, Multi-Modal Grasping Point Estimation System for Shop Floor Applications.” The poster demonstrated methods to grasp fragile, plane, and mirror-like objects using a flow gripper with promising results toward robotic dexterity in dynamic environments.
Booth Engagement and Community Building
Throughout ERF2025, the AI-PRISM stand (#44) was a vibrant hub of debate and demonstration. Members of the team like Madalina Neacsu and Samuel Olaiya Afolaranmi welcomed attendees, fielding questions about the open-access partnership of the project, pilot implementations in Greece, Poland, Spain, Turkey, and Austria, and the broader human-centred robotics vision.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
AI-PRISM would like to thank genuinely the approximately 150 participants in its workshops and sessions, and everyone who visited the booth or engaged with the project’s research. A special thanks to the ERF2025 organisers, namely euRobotics aisbl and Fraunhofer IPA, for providing such a valuable venue for innovation, sharing, and community.
Now that ERF2025 is in our past, AI-PRISM looks to future cooperation, effective deployment, and continued innovation in forging a responsible and inclusive robotic future.
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