ARISE Experiments
I-Genius
Smarter gripping for safer, more flexible collaboration in automotive warehouses
I-Genius is a human-centric robotics experiment that brings together advanced gripper design, imitation learning, and edge AI monitoring to solve a long-standing challenge in manufacturing logistics: how to automate complex pick-and-place tasks without losing the flexibility and reliability of human handling.
The Challenge: Handling Variability in High-Speed Assembly
In automotive warehouses, operators are responsible for assembling kits that contain diverse components — each varying in size, shape, and weight. Traditional robots struggle with this variability, making manual labor the default. But repetitive tasks like these are also physically demanding and prone to human error, especially in high-speed production environments.
I-Genius responds with an integrated solution: a fin-ray-inspired robotic gripper that can handle diverse objects gently and precisely, combined with intelligent software agents that learn directly from human demonstrations and monitor the system in real time.
Our Solution: Human-Guided, AI-Powered Robotics for Automotive Logistics
Developed by MYWAI™, a leading European provider of Generative, Multimodal, Agentic, and EDGEAI platforms with a patented gripper designed by CRF (Stellantis Group) and the Mechanical Engineering Department (DIME) of the University of Genoa, I-Genius is currently being tested in a rebuild in DIME Labs of the PowerTrain component kitting—a critical, repetitive operation in Stellantis’ automotive logistics chain.
The system relies on two core AI agents:
- VILMA (Visual Imitation Learning Mimicking Agent): Allows workers to teach the robot new tasks using video and voice input. Instead of coding, they demonstrate the task. VILMA learns the motion and translates it into reusable robotic skills.
- FIONA (Fin-Ray-Inspired Online Neuro Monitoring Agent): Uses onboard cameras and edge AI to detect wear and anomalies in the gripper itself, triggering alerts before failure occurs.
Both agents are designed for on-premise deployment, ensuring real-time responsiveness and data security, while also supporting standard industrial protocols (ROS 2, FIWARE, OPC UA).™
Human Centricity: Reducing Strain, Enhancing Skills
The I-Genius system is built around the needs of operators. Rather than removing humans from the process, it amplifies their expertise while reducing the physical and cognitive load associated with repetitive warehouse tasks.
- Workers demonstrate the task once; the robot repeats it accurately
- The gripper handles the force; the worker controls the strategy
- Interfaces are multilingual, intuitive, and culturally adaptable
This approach aligns with the vision of Industry 5.0, where innovation respects human agency, improves job quality, and expands access to automation regardless of physical ability or technical background.
The ARISE Contribution: Open, Reusable Modules for Collaborative Robotics
A core objective of I-Genius is to provide reusable, standards-based modules that extend beyond the immediate use case. Through ARISE, the experiment contributes:
- A ROS 2-compatible Imitation Learning module (VILMA)
- An Edge AI-powered condition monitoring module (FIONA) integrated with FIWARE
These modules are designed to help other ARISE stakeholders—SMEs, Digital Innovation Hubs, and Testing and Experimentation Facilities—accelerate the development of collaborative robotics solutions in their own regions and sectors.
I-Genius demonstrates that even in complex environments like automotive warehousing, human-robot interaction can be made safe, intuitive, and replicable—driven by open standards and shared innovation.
Impact & Scalability: From Smarter Grippers to Cross-Industry Adoption
The global market for robotic grippers is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2030, with increasing demand for flexible, adaptable end-of-arm tooling in logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. I-Genius offers a solution that is not only technically sound but also scalable across industries.
Its modular design, edge-based intelligence, and human-friendly interfaces position it as a practical choice for early adopters seeking safer automation with a low learning curve. And by contributing to the ARISE Skills Catalog, it ensures that this innovation doesn’t stop with one deployment—it can be shared, reused, and extended by others.
Partners
Discover more about ARISE experiments and how we’re
building the future of robotics for a better society!