Human-technology solutions for the resilient production of tomorrow are created in the project EMOTION. Their key concept is empathy.
Imagine a factory in which machines not only perform tasks, but also recognize what the various actors in their environment – other machines, humans and robots – currently need. A factory in which machines and robots independently identify faults, bottlenecks and overloads, and where they offer their help when necessary by adapting autonomously. Welcome to EMOTION – a Fraunhofer flagship project that aims to strengthen the resilience of manufacturing companies in the face of crises and disruptive developments.
Flexibility as a common mission
The core idea is this: In production systems, resilience arises from synergies in the interaction between people and intelligent machines. When the actions of all players seamlessly intertwine, they can react dynamically to unexpected events and learn from them. The result is an agile production system that skillfully navigates through turbulence and remains capable of acting even under harsh conditions.
What does it take? Empathy! »With EMOTION, we want to transfer the ability to empathize from humans to technical systems,« Christopher Mühlich explains. He is coordinating the lighthouse project in which seven Fraunhofer Institutes are working together. »In an empathetic production system, each component is not only aware of its own technical status, but also that of all other participants – and can react accordingly.«