Robotics and AI for Sustainable Recycling and Remanufacturing

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TG relation: TG Sustainability 

Areas mainly addressed: Robotics and AI/Big Data Value, Net Zero/Sustainability 

Main questions to be answered: 

· What challenges can be solved by Robotics & AI in recycling and remanufacturing? 

· What are the barriers to adopting Robotics & AI for sustainable recycling? And how could they be solved? 

· Are we doing enough to recover and reuse materials coming out of industrial supply chains? If not, how could this be changed? 

WS Description: Can robotics & AI revolutionise waste management and increase sustainable production? The industrial landscape is radically transforming. Businesses focus now not only on increasing productivity but also ensuring that their operations meet sustainability goals and are adaptable to rapid changes in the supply chain. This requires the industry to rethink how materials and resources are used and how products can be recycled, reused, and remanufactured. Creating commercial justification for these processes, traditionally – dull, dirty, dangerous, and manual labour intense was never easy. Robots for e.g., can increase the value of recycling by faster and more accurate waste sorting. What other challenges can be solved and which barriers can be inhibited by exploiting Robotics & AI technologies to support recycling and remanufacturing? How/What can the robotics community contribute? 

Intended outcome: Workshop expected to create a roadmap or white paper, Workshop discussion topics of common interest, success stories, use cases, etc, Workshop on recent developments in technology or applications, Trigger information exchange between academia and industry (end users) about the current challenges and possible solutions for sustainable recycling and remanufacturing with application of robots A position paper on the results of the workshop and share it, e.g., with the respective topic group/s (TG sustainability). E.g. a white paper 

Approach: The workshop is conducted as a two-part approach, ~40 minutes each 

First, five keynote speakers will be invited, from both academic research and industry, to share their perspective in a 8-10 minute impulse talks 

This is followed by a panel discussion and interaction with the audience session. We plan to involve 6 panelists (academia and industry) for a focused discussion on the workshop questions and simultaneously trigger input from audience using online tools (Mentimeter, Polls, etc). The discussions will enable a dialogue between the audience and the experts. 

Finally, the findings of the workshop are wrapped-up by the organizers and the summary from the discussions is made available on a webpage. A position paper on the results of the workshop and share it, e.g., with the respective topic group/s (TG sustainability). 

(80 minute WS slot) 

00:00 – 00:03 Opening comments by the organizers 

00:03 – 00:45 4 impulse talks (3 end users/Tech Providers , 1 academia) 

00:45 – 01:15 Panel discussion (4 speakers as panelists) + Discussion with Audience 

01:15 – 01:20 Concluding remarks by the organizers 

Contributors: Confirmed Speakers/Panelists 

1. Josie Götz  – Manufacturing Technology Centre 

2. Sina Pour Soltani and Ann-Mia Ambjerg, ARIS Robotics  

3. Damien Salle, Tecnalia  

4. Hendrik Kolvenbach, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology 

5. Alireza Rastegarpanah, University of Birmingham 

Organisers: 

· Sharath Chandra Akkaladevi, sharath.akkaladevi@profactor.at, Profactor GmbH

· Franziska Kirstein, fk@blue-ocean-robotics.com, Blue Ocean Robotics 

· KarolJanik, Karol.Janik@the-mtc.org, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) 

· Josie Gotz, Josie.Gotz@the-mtc.org, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)

Event Timeslots (1)

Room 200 – Floor 2
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14 March - Sustainability
Sharath Chandra Akkaladevi