The project

SHERLOCK project introduces the latest safe robotic technologies including high payload collaborative arms, exoskeletons and mobile manipulators in diverse production environments.

High payload collaborative manipulator
Mobile Manipulator
Smart Exoskeleton

The modules are enhanced with smart mechatronics and AI-based cognition, conceiving efficient Human-Robot Collaboration stations that are designed to be safe and guarantee the acceptance and wellbeing of operators. In future industrial environment, robots and workers would be able to function as co-workers to bridge the performance gap through the adoption of smart systems and sensors.

SHERLOCK technologies are tested and validated into four industrial pilot cases in the elevators assembly, industrial modules, machine tools and aeronautics sectors. The developed solutions will be also available to be implemented in multiple industrial environments and sectors, as well as in different manufacturing processes.

The project started in October 2018 and will end in October 2022

Project Details

Acronym: SHERLOCK

Action Full Title: Seamless and safe human-centred robotic applications for novel collaborative workplace

Grant agreement N˚: 820683

Call: H2020 FoF2 – 2018

Topic: Effective Industrial Human-Robot Collaboration

Type of action: Research and Innovation Action

Expected impacts

SHERLOCK started under the 4.0 challenge, namely the deployment of production systems in which the machines are digitally interconnected and allow side by side collaboration with the workers.

Over the last decades, the competitiveness strategy of manufactures in Europe has led to a high number of outsourcing production systems to low-cost countries. This situation affects directly the national economies, the unemployment rate, as well as the quality of life of European workers.

In this context, SHERLOCK improves the competitiveness of the EU industry by providing autonomous robots and directly impacts three main dimensions:

  • Earnings quality

    – promoting inclusivity in the allocation of the tasks among the workers to vary the experiences

  • Labour market security

    – developing systems to assist and increase human performance and skills diversity

  • Quality of the working environment

    – offering a stress-free, adaptive and flexible working environment and improving safety and health at work

The automation of traditional tasks by Human-Robot technologies in companies already showed proven returns. Up to 25% improvement in operator productivity and significant decreases in the time required for training and upskilling, as well as health and safety improvements.

Development plan