Research Area :: Everyday Activity Science and Engineering Innovation

The combination of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve many areas of life in the coming years. At the workplace, robots will perform tasks alongside humans, and in homes they will help people with disabilities to live independent lives. The TZI research area EASE Innovation investigates application scenarios in supermarkets, factories, logistics, materials science, and in long-term studies of marine ecosystems – and these are only a small sample of the many ways in which AI will permeate all areas of life and work.

The research area focuses on promising robotics and AI technologies and methods, aiming to help shape the digital world in ways that benefit humans. To this end, EASE Innovation promotes technology transfer from scientific institutions to businesses and society. Scientists conduct application-oriented research projects, e.g. within the European framework “Horizon 2020”. Research partners include renowned international universities, institutions, and corporations, but also SMEs and start-ups.

A core goal of the projects is the development of autonomous robots which assist humans reliably at work, at home, or in medical care. This requires equipping robots with perception systems and knowledge bases that allow them to understand and interpret situations. In the spirit of open research, many of the project results are made available to the public for free. This makes it possible for smaller companies and non-profit organizations to use the developed technologies and to contribute to international top-level research themselves.

EASE Innovation’s research results impact society mostly in the context of demographic change, since populations in many countries are getting older. In the future, many more people will need significant assistance to be able to live independently in their own homes. The research also benefits businesses and scientific institutions: As an interdisciplinary topic, AI and artificial cognitive systems constitute an essential foundation for future research and development activities in all academic disciplines – providing a huge potential for innovation.

EASE Innovation serves as a competence partner for small and medium enterprises in Europe who are competing with resource-rich international corporations.