HORSE · Project

Ready-to-Deploy Robotics Platform That Lets SME Factories Add Robots Without Ripping Out Existing Equipment

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Imagine you run a small factory and you want robots to help your workers, but your machines are old and you can't afford to replace everything. HORSE built a plug-and-play system where robots, self-driving carts, and your existing machines all talk to each other through the internet — like adding a smart thermostat to an old house instead of rebuilding it. Workers stay safe because the system knows where people are and adjusts robot behavior in real time. The whole thing was tested in real factories and then opened up to new companies to prove it works beyond the original test sites.

By the numbers

EUR 7,945,601

EU contribution for development and validation

consortium partners involved in development

countries represented in the consortium

industry partners including end-user factories

SMEs in the consortium

total project deliverables produced

demonstration deliverables showing factory deployment

The business problem

What needed solving

Most SME manufacturers want to automate but face a brutal choice: either rip out existing equipment for a fully automated line (too expensive) or keep doing everything manually (falling behind competitors). Off-the-shelf industrial robots don't play nicely with legacy machines, and programming them requires expertise most small factories don't have. The result is that advanced robotics stays locked inside large corporations while SMEs — the backbone of European manufacturing — get left behind.

The solution

What was built

The team built an integrated smart factory platform that connects collaborative robots, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), and existing factory machinery through IoT-based communication. Concrete deliverables include the final integrated platform (with hardware modules, sensors, actuators, and communication protocols), a system deployed and demonstrated at real factory sites, and pre-defined workflows enabling rapid reconfiguration of robot-assisted production processes.

Audience

Who needs this

SME manufacturers looking to add their first collaborative robots without replacing existing equipmentFactory operations managers struggling with labor shortages on repetitive or physically demanding tasksProduction engineers at companies running short product runs who need fast line reconfigurationSystem integrators offering Industry 4.0 upgrades to small and mid-size factoriesOccupational safety managers seeking to reduce worker injury risk through robotic physical assistance

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive parts manufacturing

SME

Target: SME automotive component suppliers with 50-200 employees running mixed manual and automated lines

If you are a small automotive parts manufacturer dealing with high labor costs and inconsistent quality on mixed production lines — this project developed an integrated robotics platform that connects your existing machines with collaborative robots and autonomous guided vehicles. The system was deployed and validated at real factory sites with 16 consortium partners across 7 countries, proving it works with legacy equipment already on your floor.

Metal fabrication and machining

mid-size

Target: Mid-size metal workshops looking to automate welding, assembly, or material handling without full-line replacement

If you are a metal fabrication shop struggling to find skilled welders or machine operators — this project built a human-robot collaboration system where robots handle the heavy, repetitive, or dangerous tasks while your experienced workers supervise and handle complex decisions. The platform includes intuitive interfaces so your operators don't need programming skills, and safety systems that let humans and robots share the same workspace.

Consumer goods and packaging

SME

Target: SME packaging or consumer goods producers needing rapid line reconfiguration for short product runs

If you are a consumer goods producer losing money every time you switch product lines because reconfiguring robots takes days — this project created pre-defined workflows that allow rapid reconfiguration of robot-based production processes. The system was first validated with selected end-users in pilot experiments, then proven transferable to new end-users recruited through an open call mechanism, demonstrating it adapts to different manufacturing setups.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement this robotics system in my factory?

The project received EUR 7,945,601 in EU funding across 16 partners over nearly 5 years, which covered R&D and validation. Actual deployment costs for an individual factory would depend on your existing equipment and scale. Contact the consortium for pricing — as an Innovation Action, the goal was to make this affordable specifically for SMEs.

Has this been tested at industrial scale or only in labs?

This went well beyond the lab. The project delivered a 'Final system deployed at factories sites' with demonstration of final deployment scenarios. It was validated in two steps: first with selected end-users in pilot experiments, then with new end-users recruited through an open call, proving real-world industrial applicability.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

The project was coordinated by European Dynamics (Greece), an SME, with 16 partners across 7 countries. IP arrangements would have been defined in the consortium agreement. Businesses interested in licensing should contact the coordinator for specific terms and technology access options.

Will this work with my existing machines and production lines?

Yes — that was a core design principle. The HORSE platform was specifically built to integrate with pre-existing machines and workflows. The system uses IoT-based communication to connect robots, autonomous guided vehicles, and legacy machinery without requiring you to replace what you already have.

How long does it take to set up and start seeing results?

The project ran from 2015 to 2020, with an early version of the integrated platform delivered first for testing, followed by the final version. The system includes pre-defined workflows designed for rapid reconfiguration, meaning once installed, switching between production tasks should be fast.

Is this safe for my workers to use alongside robots?

Worker safety was a primary design goal. The system includes physical human-robot interaction safeguards, intuitive human-machine interfaces, and is designed to reduce health risks through physical support by the robotic equipment. The platform monitors human presence and adjusts robot behavior accordingly.

Does this meet EU manufacturing regulations?

As an EU-funded Innovation Action under Horizon 2020 topic FoF-09-2015 (Factories of the Future), the project was developed within EU regulatory expectations. Safety of human workers in shared robot workspaces was explicitly addressed in the design. Specific compliance certifications should be confirmed with the consortium.

Consortium

Who built it

The HORSE consortium brings serious industrial credibility with 16 partners across 7 countries (Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia). With 6 industry partners and 3 SMEs making up 38% of the consortium, this wasn't an academic exercise — real manufacturers were at the table shaping the technology. The coordinator, European Dynamics from Greece, is itself an SME, which aligns with the project's mission of making robotics accessible to smaller companies. The mix of 5 research organizations and 3 universities provided the technical depth, while the industry partners ensured the results actually work on factory floors. The EUR 7,945,601 budget across this team funded not just development but real factory deployments and an open call for additional end-users.

EUROPEAN DYNAMICS ADVANCED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS SACoordinator · EL
FZI FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM INFORMATIKparticipant · DE
CHAROKOPEIO PANEPISTIMIOparticipant · EL
SPOLKA AKCYJNA ODLEWNIE POLSKIEparticipant · PL
NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNOparticipant · NL
ROBERT BOSCH ESPANA FABRICA CASTELLET SAparticipant · ES
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHENparticipant · DE
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
CENTRE TECHNIQUE DES INDUSTRIES MECANIQUESparticipant · FR
BOSCH IO GMBHparticipant · DE
FUNDACIO EURECATparticipant · ES
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVENparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

European Dynamics Advanced Information Technology and Telecommunication Systems SA (Greece) — contact via project website or SciTransfer can facilitate introduction

Order a report on this consortium See EUROPEAN DYNAMICS ADVANCED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS SA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how the HORSE robotics platform could fit your production line? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right consortium partner for your specific manufacturing challenge. We handle the introduction — you focus on your business.

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