Robotics Tutorials for SMEs
Our product delivers affordable automation for SME thanks to an intuitive interface that eliminates the need for costly external experts. As a result, investment costs per task are significantly reduced.
Factsheet
- Schools involved School of Engineering and Computer Science
- Institute(s) Institute for Human Centered Engineering (HUCE)
- Research unit(s) HUCE / Laboratory for Robotics
- Funding organisation SNSF
- Duration (planned) 01.08.2025 - 31.07.2026
- Head of project Prof. Dr. Sarah Dégallier Rochat
- Keywords Automation, Robotic programming, Block-based programming, Worker Empowerment
Situation
The Swiss economy is renowned for its productivity, precision, and expertise. However, relatively high wages pose challenges for companies aiming to remain globally competitive and avoid offshoring. The digitalization of work holds promise for enhancing Switzerland’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position in the international market. Yet, the widely promoted image of a tech-empowered worker—faster, smarter, and more productive—does not always reflect reality. The situation is more complex, influenced by factors such as digital literacy, access to technology, and organizational readiness. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often the first to suffer from limited access to automation, as low production volumes rarely justify the return on investment.
Course of action
Our product addresses these challenges by simultaneously re-empowering production workers and delivering affordable automation for SMEs to boost their competitiveness. We propose a smart and flexible robotic cell that can be reprogrammed directly by in-house workers through an intuitive, easy-to-learn interface—eliminating the need for costly external experts. This system supports multiple tasks, significantly reducing the investment cost per task. Its flexibility enables the rapid integration of new hardware, allowing SMEs to respond quickly to evolving market demands. The high learnability of the interface enables workers to regain control over the machine, advancing their skills through hands-on use and embedded learning tools. By lowering technical and financial barriers, this approach gives SMEs greater autonomy and agility. Ultimately, it shifts control back to the user—reversing the all-too-common trend in industry where machines dictate the workflow instead of empowering the worker.
