Read the interview with Andrés Meseguer Valenzuela and his winning proposal: Mixed-Reality Augmented Networks for Teleoperated Robotics Applications (MANTRA)
Andrés Meseguer Valenzuela and ITI
Andrés Meseguer Valenzuela is a R&D engineer specialised in control systems, robotics and communications. As member of ITI’s Advanced Communications Research Group, he focuses on developing innovative solutions and knowledge for Industry 4.0. ITI, a Spanish private Research & Technology organisation in Valencia (Spain), aims to bridge the gap between research and industry, especially SMEs, providing innovative solutions and services focused on digital enablers around the data cycle. They are proud to count on the consortium with FACTOR S.L, an SME located in Puçol (Spain) specialised in industrial engineering, machining and turning, with a strong commitment to innovate in industrial processes that will guarantee that MANTRA developments are always aligned with real end-user needs.
Can you give a brief overview of your winning proposal?
What are its key objectives and innovative aspects?
MANTRA is a proposal focused on the development of enhanced remote-control capabilities of mobile robots. Its primary contributions span two key areas: communications and next-generation UI. These innovations are aimed at enabling real use cases in industry, such as remote inspection, which have a significant impact on economics and sustainability. Additionally, these contributions will drive the evolution of the SPIRIT platform. Firstly, this project seeks the enhanced integration of Wi-Fi within 5G networks and the improved compatibly of ROS with process offloading in terms of communications. Secondly, MANTRA introduces the integration of natural user interfaces such as Mixed Reality and haptics to enhance the Quality of Experience while controlling mobile robots remotely. Finally, this project will benefit from the support and feedback of FACTOR S.L, which will help identifying requirements and validating the experiments in real industrial environments.
What motivated you to apply for the SPIRIT Open Call?
SPIRIT Open Call offers an excellent opportunity to collaborate with key players in the fields of communications and next-generation user interfaces domains. Its consortium is developing a comprehensive platform that addresses real industrial needs, particularly with a multi-site approach, offering a valuable toolkit for solving industry challenges that we usually face. This Open Call is also very attractive due to its patron support. We will be receiving support from Deutsche Telekom, with whom it is a great pleasure to collaborate. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to test our results in their facilities in Germany, which will be an excellent environment to validate our final developments and exchange knowledge and ideas with a high skilled technical team.
How do you envision this project making an impact?
While preparing the proposal, we envisioned this project as an opportunity to provide developments with real application in the industry. The remote assistance use case being addressed is considered by the end users, mainly SMEs, as a relevant and practical scenario of industrial application. An example of this is FACTOR S.L., who will play a key role in validating the solution, ensuring its applicability and contribution to real industry needs. Additionally, the project aims to disseminate its findings at research conferences and contribute to the development of current standards for robot communications, further enhancing its reach and significance.
MANTRA will not only enhance the initial value proposition of SPIRIT with a set of tools that synergise with the current project architecture, but will also provide scientific knowledge, open access Design guidelines for teleoperation of industrial robots, and discover synergies between Industry.