In the upcoming world of pervasive connectivity and big data, a confluence of vast emerging technologies presents unique opportunity for 4th industrial revolution. In alignment, the U.S. National Science and Technology Council identified intelligent manufacturing and advanced materials technologies as the future directions of the U.S. manufacturing. Robotics technology is at the center of innovation with systems becoming more intelligent, collaborative, and autonomous. Argonne is directing a research and development for next generation robotics and automation technologies in support of intelligent manufacturing in the fusion of technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, internet of things, advanced computing, and materials.
- Digital prototyping which facilitate modeling, simulation, and optimization of manufacturing process;
- Advanced robotic systems which are more collaborative, intelligent, and autonomous;
- Artificial intelligence for intelligent automation, and autonomous behaviors.