Joint training and joint development of robot systems to explore the oceans: This is the aim with which the European network for training and research on maritime and underwater robotics, Robocademy, has been started now. The project coordinated by the Robotics Innovation Center (RIC) of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and funded by the EU with 3.61 million euro deals with developing key qualifications for junior researchers and strengthening technology development in the field of underwater robotics.
“The Robocademy contributes to cover the high demand for junior researchers who are urgently needed in the expanding field of underwater systems and underwater robotics“, says Prof. Dr. Frank Kirchner, head of the coordinating Robotics Innovation Center in Bremen. “For both science as well as industry in Europe these specialists are crucial for remaining internationally competitive”.
Within the framework of this EU project, junior researchers in informatics who have already gained experience in the field of robotics shall be given the opportunity to gain a doctorate in selected research projects with excellent support and will receive specialist training in the fields of maritime and underwater robotics. The focus lies on the development of robust, reliable and autonomous systems.
This is made possible by the close cooperation of leading research organizations with the industry as well as small and medium-sized companies from the fields of robotics, marine technology, marine sciences and the offshore industry.
The Robocademy will be funded over a period of four years by the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) within the Seventh European Research Framework Programme.
Project partner:
Heriot-Watt University
Tallinna Tehnikaulikool
Universitat de Girona
Natural Environment Research Council
NATO Science and Technology Organisation
National Technical University of Athens
Atlas Elektronik GmbH
Seebyte Ltd
Graal Tech SRL
Associated project partner:
Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polarforschung
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Subsea7 Ltd.
Marine Systems Institute
BP Exploration Operating Co Ltd.
BAE Systems Ltd.
Contact:
DFKI Bremen
Team Unternehmenskommunikation
Robert-Hooke-Straße 5
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 (0)421 178 45 4121
E-mail: uk-hb[at]dfki.de
Contact person:
DFKI Bremen
Robotics Innovation Center (RIC)
Dr. Thomas Vögele
Project coordinator Robocademy
Robert-Hooke-Straße 1
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 (0)421 178 45 4130
E-mail: thomas.voegele[at]dfki.de