Imagine a factory where robots don't sit behind safety cages — they work right next to people, handing them parts, lifting heavy loads, even wearing soft exoskeletons to protect workers' backs. SHERLOCK built exactly that: smart robots with AI brains that can see what a worker is doing, adapt on the fly, and never put anyone at risk. They tested these systems in real factories making elevators, airplane parts, solar panels, and machine tools across Europe. The robots learn new tasks by watching humans, and workers train using virtual reality before stepping onto the shop floor.
Factory owners face a painful trilemma: they need flexible production that can handle small batches and custom orders, they cannot find enough skilled workers, and traditional industrial robots are too rigid and dangerous to work alongside humans. Adding robots behind safety cages slows everything down and kills the flexibility that human workers provide. Meanwhile, worker injuries from repetitive tasks and heavy lifting keep driving up costs and turnover.
The solution
What was built
SHERLOCK built and tested a complete collaborative robotics toolkit: a high-payload collaborative manipulator (AURA), smart exoskeletons with adjustable operation, safe mobile dual-arm robots, AI-powered task planning and workspace monitoring, VR/AR operator training tools, and automated safety certification modules. All were demonstrated at 4 industrial partner sites producing elevators, machine tools, solar thermal collectors, and aeronautics structures.
Audience
Who needs this
Aerospace component manufacturers with complex manual assembly processesElevator and industrial equipment manufacturers facing labor shortagesSolar thermal and renewable energy equipment producers with repetitive assembly linesMachine tool manufacturers looking to augment skilled workers with roboticsAny mid-to-large manufacturer needing to make production lines accessible to workers with physical limitations
If you are an aerospace parts manufacturer dealing with complex assembly tasks that require both precision and human judgment — this project developed safe collaborative robots and exoskeletons tested at SOFITEC's aeronautics production line. The system lets robots handle repetitive heavy lifting while workers focus on quality-critical steps, with AI-powered task planning that coordinates human and robot work in real time.
Elevator and industrial equipment manufacturing
mid-size
Target: Elevator manufacturers and heavy industrial module producers
If you are an elevator or industrial equipment manufacturer struggling with labor shortages and ergonomic injuries on assembly lines — SHERLOCK built and demonstrated a full collaborative production station at VDLIM with mobile dual-arm manipulators and smart exoskeletons. The system includes VR-based training so your operators can learn new robot-assisted workflows before touching the production floor.
Solar thermal and renewable energy equipment
mid-size
Target: Solar panel and thermal collector manufacturers
If you are a solar thermal equipment manufacturer facing quality inconsistencies and worker fatigue in repetitive assembly — this project piloted a collaborative robot station at CALPAK's solar thermal collector production facility. The soft robotics system adapts to each worker's pace and physical limitations, with automated risk assessment tools that cut safety certification time.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What would it cost to implement a SHERLOCK-type collaborative robot station in my factory?+
The project data does not include specific pricing for the developed systems. Implementation costs would depend on which modules you need — a soft robotics station, exoskeletons, or the full AI-enabled planning system. Contact the consortium partners for commercial licensing and integration quotes.
Can this scale to a full production line, not just a single station?+
SHERLOCK demonstrated its technologies across 4 different industrial sectors — elevators, industrial modules, aeronautics structures, and machine tools — with 18 partners across 10 countries. The modular design with separate perception, planning, and interaction modules suggests the system was built to scale across different production setups.
Who owns the IP and can I license specific components?+
The consortium of 18 partners includes 13 industry organizations and 6 SMEs, coordinated by the University of Patras. IP ownership typically follows EU Horizon 2020 rules where each partner owns their contribution. Specific licensing would need to be negotiated with the relevant technology partner.
How safe is this really — will it pass our factory safety certification?+
Safety was a core design principle, not an afterthought. SHERLOCK developed automated risk assessment tools, formal online safety assessment software, and VR/AR tools specifically for validating collaborative operations to reduce certification time. The project also established design principles and standards for maintaining operator psychological safety and wellbeing.
How long does it take to train workers on the new system?+
SHERLOCK built dedicated AR/VR training modules specialized for human-robot collaboration. Workers can practice in virtual reality before working with the actual robots. The robots also use interactive learning to adapt to individual operators, which simplifies the teaching of new tasks over time.
Can the robots handle workers with physical limitations or disabilities?+
Yes — the project explicitly developed production setups for people with special restrictions, exploiting the robot's AI cognition to adapt. Smart exoskeletons with adjustable operation can compensate for different physical capabilities, making production roles accessible to a wider workforce.
How does this integrate with our existing factory equipment and software?+
SHERLOCK developed workspace monitoring and digital twin modules that model the production environment, plus an online task planning module for coordinating human-robot workflows. The system uses multi-level perception for process and environment assessment, which means it can be calibrated to your existing production layout.
Consortium
Who built it
This is a heavily industry-driven consortium — 13 out of 18 partners come from industry, giving it a 72% industry ratio, which is unusually high for an EU research project. The 6 SMEs bring agility while the larger industrial partners (VDLIM, FIDIA, CALPAK, SOFITEC) provided real factory floors for testing. With 10 countries represented (BE, DE, EL, ES, FR, IE, IT, LU, NL, UK), the technologies were validated across different European manufacturing cultures and regulatory environments. The University of Patras coordinates, backed by 2 additional research organizations, ensuring the science is solid while industry partners drive practical application. This composition means the results are production-oriented, not just lab experiments.
Coordinated by University of Patras (Greece). Use SciTransfer's matchmaking service to connect with the right technology partner for your specific application.
Want to know which SHERLOCK partner has the right collaborative robotics module for your production line? SciTransfer can match you with the right team and set up an introduction call.
