Robotics: Schaeffler collaborates with DLR

(From left): Ralf Mossberg, Head of the Department of Industrial Automation (Schaeffler), Allen Albo Schaefer, Director of the Institute (DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics), Dietmar Schneier, Head of the Aerospace Department (Mobility at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs), Uwe Wagner, Head of Research and development (Schaeffler). (Photo: Schaeffler)

The focus of the collaboration is on collaboration in robotics and applications in industrial production environments. “Innovative robotic solutions play a key role in Schaeffler’s Roadmap 2025 strategy‘,” says Uwe Wagner, Member of the Board of Directors Research and development at Schaeffler. “Intelligent AI-based technologies and higher degrees of automation enable new development and production concepts for better products.“

More than 1,000 industrial robots and robots are also used in the supplier’s 76 production facilities. Schaeffler uses these in modular and flexible production environments as well as in highly automated production plants. Using it in serial production, results can flow from operations directly to robot component product development.

Schaeffler also presented his current portfolio of robotics at the Automatica trade fair in Munich: micro-shaft drives, thrusters in a PCB design and a new sensor system for harmonic drives. DLR also presented current projects at the trade show, such as the Safe Autonomous Robotic Assistant (SARA). According to DLR, the project aims to further develop robotics for smart factories into a networked sensitive actuator system. In addition, SARA is part of the Factory of the Future – Extended (FoF-X) Industrial Robotics Project, which is a continuation of the DLR initiative to use intelligent robotic systems in the digital production of the future.