The “RoX” project, which commenced in September 2020, is backed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) with a total project budget of EUR 52 million. Rheinmetall’s involvement in the project is valued at EUR 3.5 million, with the specific aim of advancing AI-based robotics through the development of a scalable digital ecosystem. The project is scheduled to run for 30 months, focusing on creating innovative, practical solutions for AI-controlled robotics in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and services.
YardStick Robotics, known for developing robots capable of operating in extreme environments, is working to streamline the development of AI-powered robotic systems. Their approach leverages digital networking and model-based system development to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By harnessing artificial intelligence (AI), YardStick is enabling smaller and medium-sized companies to adopt customised robotic systems and automated processes, boosting future-oriented automation across various sectors.
This project is being implemented at Rheinmetall’s site in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, in collaboration with Rheinmetall Waffe & Munition. The “RoX” initiative builds on Rheinmetall’s experience in advanced technology integration and aims to significantly improve the performance of AI-driven robotic systems. The project focuses on key areas such as loading and unloading logistics chains, commissioning processes in unstructured environments, and the deployment of multifunctional and mobile robot systems in production lines.
Earlier this year, YardStick Robotics also secured EUR 3.2 million in funding under the Manufacturing-X initiative for the “Robot-X” project. This additional funding, provided by the BMWK, supports further research into AI-based automation technologies in cooperation with Rheinmetall’s entities Pierburg GmbH and Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH. Together, these projects demonstrate Rheinmetall’s commitment to advancing AI and robotics technologies for practical industrial applications.
The “RoX” project is being executed by a consortium of industry leaders and scientific partners, aimed at addressing the growing demand for flexible, high-performance robotic systems. The consortium is working to develop a digital ecosystem that facilitates the integration of AI-based robotics into various industries. This ecosystem will include a wide range of advanced software components, AI models, and data management structures to ensure secure, scalable deployment.
A key objective of “RoX” is to establish an efficient development workflow for robotic systems that reduces innovation cycles and enhances system integration and commissioning. The project is designed to provide transferable, scalable solutions that address specific industry needs. Practical use-cases, such as the automation of complex logistics operations and the deployment of location-flexible robotic systems in production environments, will be developed and evaluated as part of the research.
As the global robotics market continues to expand, the integration of AI-driven solutions is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and flexibility across industries. “RoX” aims to position Rheinmetall and its partners at the forefront of this technological shift, ensuring that the industries they serve can take full advantage of AI-powered robotics to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet evolving market demands.
Looking to the future, the digital ecosystem developed through the “RoX” project will continue to be refined and expanded even after the project’s official end. This sustainable organisational structure ensures that the software modules, AI systems, and ecosystem components created during the research will remain available and will be further developed. In doing so, “RoX” is expected to make a lasting contribution to the field of AI-based robotics, strengthening innovation and competitiveness in the participating industries.
By investing in AI-driven automation, Rheinmetall is taking a proactive approach to addressing the increasing complexity of industrial operations and the growing demand for flexible, adaptable robotics solutions. The company’s collaboration with the BMWK and its industry partners will help ensure that German industries are equipped with the cutting-edge technologies needed to thrive in the future of manufacturing and logistics.
