Humans and machines as a team: New “Humation” alliance

How can humans and machines be brought together in a way that benefits both? This question is the focus of the new Humation – Human-Centered Automation competence network, which was jointly founded by Bielefeld University and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA in Lemgo. The aim is to design the interaction between humans, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation in such a way that work processes become safer, more flexible, and more efficient, while at the same time keeping humans at the center.

© Universität Bielefeld / Norma Langohr
The new Humation competence network – human-centered automation – was jointly founded by Bielefeld University and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA in Lemgo. Front row, from left to right: Dr. Sebastian Wrede, Bielefeld University/Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, Prof. Klaus Neumann, Bielefeld University/Fraunhofer IOSB-INA. Middle row, from left to right: Florian Pethig, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, Dr. Marc Hesse, Bielefeld University, Dr. Sebastian Schriegel, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA. Back row, from left to right: Prof. Jürgen Jasperneite, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, Prof. Reinhold Decker, Bielefeld University.


We want to develop technologies that expand human capabilities rather than replace them,“ says Dr. Marc Hesse, team leader of Cognitronics at Bielefeld University and member of the scientific advisory board of the Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC). ”When humans and machines work together as partners, the result is a hybrid team that works more creatively, adaptively, and sustainably."

 

Joint platform for research and practice

The competence network combines the university's basic research with the application-oriented expertise of Fraunhofer IOSB-INA. This combination enables practical solutions in fields such as collaborative robotics, i.e., robots that work together with humans, and the integration of AI into automated processes.

One example is the joint project „Humation Collaboratory.OWL“: a research laboratory that digitally connects two locations – the Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab) in Bielefeld and the Fraunhofer Institute with the SmartFactoryOWL in Lemgo. There, robots and humans work side by side, for example in the production of heat pumps. Intelligent robots take on subtasks and support skilled workers in assembly. This helps to compensate for bottlenecks in production and make work processes more efficient.

“Many companies are under pressure today: too few skilled workers and laborers, too much complexity. With Humation, we combine modern technology with human experience—and thanks to digital twins, processes become simpler and faster,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Jasperneite, Director of Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, Lemgo.

The „EXPLORE“ project also shows how research and industry are growing closer together. It is developing the first research platform for digital twins in East Westphalia-Lippe. Digital twins are dynamic, virtual representations of real machines or production lines. They help companies simulate, optimize, and make processes more sustainable before they are implemented in reality.

 

Technology on a human scale

Human-centered automation focuses on people as active designers of technical systems. The goal is not to automate work completely, but to design workplaces that are people-friendly. This involves safety, well-being, and the expansion of skills. Ethical, legal, and social issues are also integrated into the research from the outset. This so-called “integrated research approach” ensures that new technologies are developed in a socially responsible manner.

Humation offers practical support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): from lab tours and specialist communities to consulting and implementation projects. In this way, scientific expertise is transferred directly to the regional economy and, conversely, the experiences of the companies flow back into research.

Humation's approach is in line with the European “Industry 5.0” strategy, which defines people as the central pillar of a sustainable and resilient industry. With the new competence network, the East Westphalia-Lippe region is helping to position Europe as a pioneer in human-centered automation.

 

Text: (C) Universität Bielefeld, Dr. Kristina Nienhaus