Manufacturing workers play an important role in industry, especially in the production of small batches, which is often manual work requiring specific skills and quick adaptation to the job. In Satakunta, a wide range of industrial sectors are served, for example, by the manufacture of machine shop products and components for which full automation is not cost effective. Exposure of manufacturing workers to repetitive series of operations and heavy workloads increases the physical and mental stress on workers. In addition to industry, physically demanding work is also a daily routine in social and health services, where people often work in uncomfortable postures. Mobile robotics has the potential to improve the efficiency of industrial and medical services by assisting workers and managing the necessary logistics. For example, mobile robots can handle the transport of goods, freeing up staff for tasks that require specialist skills and social interaction. In addition to wheeled mobile robots, four-legged mobile robots that can navigate agile in challenging environments such as outdoor spaces, staircases and narrow corridors have entered the market. The project will explore the use of mobile robots for tasks requiring the ability to navigate in challenging environments. Maintaining the health of workers is crucial to the success of industry and the functioning of social and health services. Reducing workloads and improving ergonomics will increase job retention and contribute to longer careers. Exoskeletons can improve ergonomics and lighten work tasks involving repetitive movements and handling heavy loads. Exoskeletons can also reduce the risks of physical and mental stress and support the worker's physiology. This project will pilot centralised fleet management of mobile robots and exoskeletons. The centralised, predictive and task-sensitive control will combine devices from different manufacturers into a single functional unit that will enable efficient and flexible assistance to the worker. Task recognition enables human-robot collaboration on a large scale, with humans and robots working together as a team with a common goal.
