24<< ROBOTICS The project will demonstrate how the function block programming (Coro-prog) can reduce the time necessary for programming new tasks and how adaptive computation can reduce the time robots take to learn new pitfalls (Coro-mob). Three prototypes for three scenarios The Coroma project foresees the development of three different robotic systems for each one of the sectors at which the developments are aimed: shipbuilding, energy and aeronautics. The three prototypes will be trialled and undergo complex tests, and will be validated by the specialist partners in each one of the industrial sectors. The company devoted to the manufacture of metal and composite material parts for aircraft, Aciturri, will be responsible for carrying out the aeronautics prototype demonstrations. The Nuclear Equipment company (ENSA) will carry out the robot tests for the energy sector, and the glass bre boat builder, Beneteau, will be the demonstrator for the marine sector. IK4-Ideko will carry out coordination functions and will be the entity responsible for working, together with the other participants, on the machining, polishing and non-destructive inspection processes, as well as monitoring the progress of the demonstrators. Advantages for the industry One of the main advantages that the Coroma project offers industry is the opportunity to work with highly exible robots that can perform highly specialised tasks at the same time. Coroma is focused on industrial end users and on suppliers of inno- vative products and services within the new digital manufacturing ecosystem of Industry 4.0. The project may have a positive impact on employment in the robotics industry, as the manufacture of this new robot concept will require new, different, professional pro les. Specialised and international consortium The Coroma project is being developed by a consortium consis- ting of 16 companies, research centres and universities from seven different European countries. Under the leadership of IK4-Ideko, Aciturri, Ensa and Beneteau will implement the demonstrators. Also taking part in the pro- ject are the University of Nantes, the University of Shef eld, The Royal Stockholm Technology Institute, The German Arti cial Intelligence Research Centre, the robot manufacturer Stäubli, the companies Convergent Information Technologies, IT+Robotics, BA Systemes, Shadow Robot Company, Soraluce manufacturer or Milling Machines, Milling-Boring Machines and Machining Centres. and Europe Technologies and the German Institute for Standardization DIN. The project will last for three years, it has a budget of more than 7 million, of which 6 have been funded by the European Commission through the program to boost research and innovation, Factories of the Future, within the Horizon 2020 multiannual framework. Another of the advantages lies in the fact that the Coroma project robo- tic systems make effective collaboration possible between humans and robots, so that robots can alleviate the most arduous worker tasks and keep them safe. Speci cally, the new concept will allow the automation of tasks impor- tant to the nal result and visual nish of the parts, such as polishing and sanding. This work has until now been carried out manually and can lead to injury, as they entail very repetitive joint and muscular movements. Furthermore, European market share in robot production is currently at around 32% and, according to the robotic private public alliance Sparc, it could go down if great innovation efforts are not made in this eld. The innovations developed in the Coroma project are designed to support the European commission’s objective to raise the current market share to 35%. And beyond the bene ts that the results could have on increasing industrial competitiveness, the project will contribute to the conso- lidation and development of a technological and scienti c robotics base in Europe, a very important discipline for progress in industrial digitalisation. Industry 4.0, the new scenario enabled by the application of communi- cation and information technologies in manufacturing environments, is giving rise to the construction of intelligent factories where machines can communicate with each other and with people. “Intelligent robotics is one of the pillars of this new paradigm, therefore it is strategically important for European industry to progress in this eld and develop its own technological base so we will not have to depend on external agents. Robotics is being developed now in several places in the world and it is important that Europe has a technological base that looks to the future" reasons Barrios. •