Dr. Roman Weitschat is CEO of the DLR spin-off Leverage Robotics GmbH. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Rostock, specializing in control and automation technology. Since 2012, he has been conducting research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in the field of collaborative robotics. This includes intuitive robot programming, intelligent assistance of robots and safety in collaborative applications. He completed his Ph.D. in this field with the aim of increasing the efficiency of cobots in order to improve the cost-effectiveness of these systems in real-world applications. He has led several scientific projects in these areas. Today, he works on flexible robot cells in industrial applications, tool changing systems and easy to use assembly stations.
The future of production demands flexibility and efficiency, achievable through the integration of intelligent lightweight robots. Central to this transformation are highly adaptable plug-and-produce robot cells designed for multitasking applications such as logistics, assembly, quality assurance, machine loading, and start-of-line operations. Key enablers include innovative robot tool technologies that facilitate the execution of complex and diverse tasks with precision, alongside standardized robot work cells that minimize system changes for new applications.
However, the cornerstone of this approach lies in intelligent software. Advanced multi-robot programming systems, capable of understanding application-specific requirements, streamline the programming process and enable seamless robot integration. By combining novel robot tooling systems, modular work cells, and sophisticated software, this framework paves the way for a new era of efficient and adaptive robotics in production.