ENGAGE

Mobile working machines (MWM) are ubiquitous in mining, construction, harbours, forestry, and farming, and without doubts vital for economic and industrial advancement of our society and as such key to sustainability and productivity of our society. Ambitious goals for sustainability, productivity, and safety, coupled with a shortage of human resources, have prompted the European mobile working machines ecosystem to come together in proposing this innovative network of Industrial Doctorates. ENGAGE network will train a new generation of engineers to build next generation mobile working machines for green and autonomous operations. Key European machine manufacturers (Volvo CE, Liebherr, Ponsse, AGCO), and technology suppliers (Bosch Rexroth, Bosch, Novatron, Algoryx, GIM Robotics) have joined forces with 6 academic groups highly specialised in AI, robotics, and mechanics from Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Austria to deliver ENGAGE. Europe’s MWM industry needs to invest heavily in digitalization, ‘green’ and innovative technologies. Thus, there is a rapidly growing demand for experts: who possess a holistic overview of the trends in sustainability and safety; have an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that robotics and AI can bring; and who are trained within certain disciplines such as robotics and AI (control, computer science, signal processing), machinery (safety, mechanical engineering, simulation, optimization), domain knowledge (construction, logistics, forestry, agriculture, mining), and big trends (digitalization, sustainability, responsible AI). ENGAGE will address these needs and fill the gap related research and training.