In the context of the European robotics project Esmera, 12 experiments have now started to solve industry challenges by developing new robotics solutions.
The Esmera consortium has chosen the best twelve experiments from 32 proposals that were handed in during the first Open Call in 2018.
The solution design by the experiments will be carried out in two competitive phases.
The first phase started in April 2019, when the experiments were to compete in proving their concept.
Phase II will follow in March 2020. Eight overall winners will gain industrial leadership and business support to advance their path towards industrializing and commercializing their solutions.
Within the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, Esmera aims to boost robotics innovation by European Small and Medium sized Enterprises.
Key European companies defined eight real-life industrial challenges, specific problems that seek innovative solutions in manufacturing, construction, energy and agri-food.
SMEs developing robotic technologies applied for providing solutions to these challenges. Esmera provides funding of up to €200,000 for each of the selected experiments.
List of selected proposals
| Co-ordinators | Project label | Country |
| IDMind | NIx | Portugal |
| Mandala | Mandeye | Poland |
| I Know How | Minotaur-R | Greece |
| Carretta | WireCobots | Italy |
| Cetem | Auto Tap | Spain |
| Casp | Reflect | Greece |
| Ledisson A&IT | Equals | Spain |
| Robotnik | Cobolleague | Spain |
| StreamOwl | Erevos | Greece |
| Dahlia Robotics | Rower | Germany |
| FarmDroid | Spaiw | Denmark |
| Agreenculture | Carob | France |
In January 2018, the European Commission launched the Esmera project to unlock the innovation potential of robotics small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Esmera promotes applied robotics technology developed for industrial challenges set by key European companies.
Thereby the SMEs get a chance to implement, apply and prove new technologies that address real-life problems and thus already have a market.
A second open call with new challenges will open in September 2019.
SMEs can propose an experiment on their own or form a small consortium of partners, teaming up with R&D organizations or other companies supplementing their competences.
For more information please visit www.esmera-project.eu.
The Esmera consortium consists of:
- Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation at the University of Patras (Project Coordinator)
- Commissarat à l´Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
- Technische Universität München
- Fundación Tekniker
- Blue Ocean Robotics
- Comau
- RU Robots
