Kick-off at WZL of RWTH Aachen for intuitive programming and flexible
reconfiguration of robotic systems in SMEs.
How can robotics be made so flexible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that it can be used intuitively without in-depth expert knowledge? With this central guiding question, the new research project "AKIMI" (Agentic AI for intuitively reconfigurable robotics in SMEs) started on July 2, 2026, with a kick-off meeting. During the kick-off meeting at the Chair of Information, Quality, and Sensor Systems in Production at the WZL of RWTH Aachen, the foundations for a practical development were laid together with the Institute for Corporate Cybernetics (IfU) e.V. and a broadly composed industrial committee.
Small and medium-sized enterprises face increasing challenges in production and logistics to respond to volatile markets, decreasing batch sizes, and the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. Automation solutions and classical robotic systems often fail in this environment due to high programming efforts and rigid system architectures. This is exactly where the consortium of the AKIMI project comes in: The goal is to develop a hybrid, agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that radically simplifies the setup, programming, and reconfiguration of robotic systems.
Hybrid agentic AI: Bridge between language models and physical implementation
At the core of the project is the approach to connect state-of-the-art language models, so-called Large Language Models (LLMs), with structured knowledge and proven robotic basic functions. Unlike purely text-based AI systems, an "agentic" AI acts proactively, independently breaking down complex human instructions into logical sub-steps and purposefully controlling the robot kinematics. Complex tasks in assembly and logistics thus become accessible for employees without programming knowledge for the first time through intuitive interfaces – such as natural language. A special technological focus is placed on maintaining transparency, traceability, and trustworthiness. Since AI decisions in an industrial environment must be deterministic and absolutely safe, the AKIMI system continuously checks proposed action sequences against physical laws and predefined safety restrictions.
"Sense – Think – Act" in intelligent assembly automation
On the part of the WZL of RWTH Aachen, the research project is being handled at the Chair of Information, Quality, and Sensor Systems in Production (WZL-IQS) under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Schmitt. The WZL contributes its profound expertise in intelligent assembly automation and the proven institutional guiding principle "Sense – Think – Act". The Aachen researchers primarily focus on seamlessly linking the interfaces between sensory perception (Sense), AI-supported decision-making (Think), and precise robotic execution (Act). To ensure maximum practical relevance, the theoretical models and software architectures will be validated in reality-based demonstrators throughout the project and directly reflected in specific application cases of the industrial partners.
"Small and medium-sized enterprises need flexible automation solutions that can be adapted without deep programming knowledge. With AKIMI, we drastically lower the barriers for the use of robotics: The agentic AI acts as an intelligent assistant that translates complex tasks into understandable action steps." – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert Schmitt, holder of the Chair of Information, Quality, and Sensor Systems in Production (IQS) at WZL of RWTH Aachen
Strong anchoring in industrial practice
The successful project start underscores the high interest of the market: Numerous renowned
companies and institutions support the initiative within the framework of the project advisory committee and ensured an intensive, continuous transfer of requirements from industrial reality at the kick-off. Among the engaged partners are:
• 3WIN Maschinenbau GmbH • Athenyx Robotics GmbH
• Birdwave Automation GmbH • Center Smart Assembly GmbH
• ECOSPHERE Automation GmbH • ek robotics – a NEURA brand GmbH
• Gauss Robotics GmbH • Kuhre Robotics GmbH
• Müller und Partner Sachverständige PartG • MYBOTSHOP GmbH
• Pilz GmbH • STILL GmbH
• Teradyne Robotics GmbH • Zukunftsallianz Maschinenbau e.V.
Funding
The research project AKIMI is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the Industrial Collective Research (IGF) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag. The project participants thank for the support and the provision of research funds.
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