CoboTank at the VDI Mechatronics Conference 2024

14 March 2024 00:00

Mr Markus Nieradzik (Department of Mechatronics, University Duisburg-Essen) presented the "Conceptual design of a semi-automated robotic system for optimising the loading process of inland tankers" during the Mechatronics Conference on 14-15 March 2024 in Dresdren.

Information about the VDI Mechatronics Conference is available here. 

The contribution in form of a paper (M. Nieradzik et) al was included in the conference proceedings 2024. You can find the paper included in the entire conference proceedings here (in German), paper 21, page 130 f. 

Abstract:

"Automation in the handling of liquid cargo in inland navigation has received little attention to date, although the
handling processes have a high amount of manual work steps with a partly high physical strain on the human. The
aim of the CoboTank project is to develop a semi-automated robotic system to optimize the handling process and
reduce the physical strain on operators. This article explains the development steps completed so far and describes
the developed robot concept as well as the conceptualized type of collaboration between the human and the robot.
The development methodology used is also explained and is based on the development methodology for mechatronic
and cyber-physical systems (VDI 2206). The approach focuses on process analysis, requirements elicitation
and the strong involvement of stakeholders and delivers the concept for a semi-automated robot system that is
specially designed for the application and can be used intuitively by the human operator"