Innovative and Cognitive Manufacturing Engineering

The increasing complexity of our society and economy places greater emphasis on artificial systems such as robots, smart devices and machines which can deal autonomously with our needs and with the peculiarities of the environments we inhabit and construct. The challenge is to extend systems engineering methods to deal with open-ended and frequently changing real-world environments. A primary aim is to develop system capabilities to respond intelligently to gaps in the system's knowledge and to situations or contexts that have not been specified in its design. To meet this challenge, a mix of innovative scientific theory and technology is needed, based on natural and artificial cognition, in conjunction with new systems design and engineering principles and implementations for machines, robots and other devices which are robust and versatile enough to deal with the real world and to behave in a user-friendly and intuitive way with humans. Artificial cognitive systems will help open up new opportunities for industry in Europe.