ISCRA Project: Intelligent scalable and reconfigurable robotic arm
An anthropomorphic robotic arm transforms pilot training, offering unprecedented freedom of movement
10 Minutes
8th of May, 2025
Project description and ambitions
Multi-purpose tracking system suitable for industries and companies that need to protect process intellectual property, together with a system that supports them in their certification paths.
The ISCRA project defines a flight simulation solution based on an anthropomorphic robotic arm, scalable and adaptable to different needs in order to perform complex and delicate tasks. The prototype, designed primarily to be a training platform for helicopter and avionic pilots, represents a step forward in providing greater freedom of action and movement to the pilot in training and in reducing the overall cost of the solution.
The key features are within the design of the simulator cockpit, designed with innovative techniques, together with the research of new composite materials for the connection interfaces that will allow the use of an arm with a lower payload in order to save energy and overall costs. The final endpoint mounted on the robotic arm simulates a cockpit, providing a realistic training environment for commercial aircraft pilots and providing greater degrees of freedom compared to a classic simulation platform.
The use of lightweight composite materials in the construction of the robotic arm offers substantial advantages, particularly in terms of size reduction and operational efficiency. Composite materials, known for their high strength-to-weight ratio, allow for weight reduction without reducing strength. The reduced weight minimizes stress on support structures and actuators, ensuring greater energy efficiency and precision in motion control. The compact design increases ease of placement, and the use of composites contributes to the arm's durability and longevity, for a reliable and low-maintenance component of the simulation platform.
Key elements
The proposed simulator offers transformative potential for reducing costs within pilot training programs. Traditional flight training, for example, often incurs significant expenses related to fuel, aircraft maintenance, and operational downtime. By moving to a simulation-based approach, these expenses can be significantly mitigated.
The simulator allows trainees to repeatedly practice maneuvers and scenarios, accelerating the learning curve and potentially shortening the overall training period. These cumulative cost savings contribute to more cost-effective pilot training without compromising the quality of instruction.
Incorporating a reconfigurable platform mounted on a robotic arm brings several advantages. The arm’s adaptability allows for seamless integration of various aircraft models (and the possibility of easy expansion to non-avionics use cases), allowing trainees to experiment with a wide range of cockpit configurations and control systems.
The technology
The innovation of this proposal lies in its holistic approach to addressing long-standing challenges in flight training. By seamlessly combining realism, adaptability, cost efficiency, improved safety and accelerated learning, the reconfigurable robotic simulation platform transforms the aviation training landscape. This innovative solution is poised to reshape pilot training, ensuring a skilled and prepared workforce for the future of aviation.
The value of the project
The value of the ISCRA project: Reduced costs, Increased versatility,Optimized space, Improved safety and efficiency, Increased durability.
- Reduce costs, by reducing fuel consumption, aircraft maintenance and operational downtime.
- Ensure versatility, thanks to a reconfigurable platform that allows the seamless integration of different aircraft models and control systems.
- Optimize facility space, by developing a compact robotic arm using lightweight composite materials to minimize space requirements within training facilities while maintaining robustness and precision.
- Migliorare la sicurezza e l'efficienza operative, fornendo un ambiente privo di rischi
- Improve operational safety and efficiency, by providing a risk-free environment
- Extend the life of the simulator, thanks to a durable and low-maintenance robotic arm using composite materials, ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the instrument over time.
Partners
Project Coordinator
Akkodis is an engineering services provider, created in 2018 by merging several companies of the Adecco Group and represents the latter's reference in the main sectors of high technological innovation. As a technology consultancy company, Akkodis offers its partners comprehensive support for the development of technologically advanced services and products that can focus on technical and management activities in R&D departments.
Project technology partner
AILANTO gathers over 15 years of experience and expertise in the world of cryptocurrencies and the derived blockchain technology. Based on this know-how, Ailanto builds the set of skills (technological, strategic, legal, etc.) to design solutions that are not only technically advanced, but reliable and practicable all-round . AILANTO has created financial management and industrial products. In particular, it has managed the technological development of the issuance of a token representing a traditional financial asset ( digital bond).
In the industrial area, it has developed several products, which are now available as a basis for new customized projects for companies and markets.
Project Partners
CNS is a consortium of cooperatives specialized in the provision of services. We are an expression of the cooperative world with which we share the founding values: from respect for the person to the dignity of work, from legality to transparency to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
On behalf of the members, we participate in public and private tenders, we acquire contracts and orders for the provision of services, we stipulate contracts with clients. We coordinate the member companies to ensure the correct execution of contractual services. We provide members with support for improving the quality of services and company organization.
Research organization
UNIBO The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DISI) promotes research activities in the fields of science, engineering and computer technology. The fundamental research areas are: Artificial Intelligence , Autonomic and Complex Systems, Middleware and Computer Networks, Information Management Systems. The Department intends to pursue excellence in scientific and technological research in the computer science field, consolidate and expand technology transfer activities towards local authorities and local businesses.
Implementing entity
BI-REX (Big Data Innovation and Research Excellence ) is one of the 8 national Competence Centers established by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (formerly MISE) as part of the government's Industry 4.0 plan. The public-private consortium, founded in 2018 and based in Bologna, brings together 62 players in partnership including Universities, Research Centers and Companies of excellence and has a specialized focus on the Big Data theme. BI-REX is the only industrial-led Competence Center.