Comprehensive platform for advanced human-machine interaction

The objective of this project is to advance the state of the art in human-machine interaction in the field of advanced manufacturing through research into new hardware and software systems that enable interactive virtualization of the components and processes of traditional systems. Recent initiatives in the country aimed at the evolution of the industrial fabric (Industrial Internet, Industry 4.0, Basque Industry, etc.) include multiple aspects focused on the virtualization of components and the standardization of processes, among others. However, special emphasis is also placed on redesigning current production plants towards a paradigm more centered on the operator and their knowledge.

In this area, machine tools show clear shortcomings in terms of usability and adaptation to the operator, who ultimately ends up having to be trained on the specific features of each machine. These shortcomings are primarily driven by the inertia of demand itself, which is changing significantly, as well as by the limitations of the hardware/software certified by CNC manufacturers. These manufacturers, in turn, impose many restrictions on the coexistence of diverse applications on the same machine.

The objective of this project is precisely to advance the understanding of different technologies related to the world of visual computing and their implementation on dedicated hardware. These technologies abstract the operator from the specific characteristics of each system while simultaneously allowing for bidirectional interaction. In this way, and with a strong but not exclusive focus on interaction, the aim is to implement certain additional functionalities that are "non-critical to operation" on an embedded hardware platform that coexists with existing platforms.