TEACHING ROBOTIC WORKSTATION WITH DIGITAL TWIN

The Werner von Siemens Award for Best Dissertation on the topic of Industry 4.0 was awarded to Ing. Roman Parák, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology for his dissertation titled "Design of Advanced Methods in the Field of Industrial Robotics within the Concept of Industry 4.0."

Roman Parák's dissertation is a model example of fulfilling the requirements of the Industry 4.0 concept as it connects physical and digital systems for advanced automation. The dissertation proposes a versatile robotic workstation with vertical system integration, allowing for mutual cooperation and intelligent interconnection of various types of devices. For the design and optimization of the new workstation, it uses advanced simulations working with virtual models of individual components. This enables the entire design process — including optimization — to be prepared in a virtual environment, with implementation into the physical world only once the result is satisfactory. A key element is the implementation of artificial intelligence for adaptive motion planning, which uses a combination of deep neural networks and reinforcement learning. The main advantage of the proposed solution is the use of a universal kinematics solution method, ensuring independence from the specific type of robotic structure and supporting broad applicability.

The Workstation as a Teaching Platform

"All the results of my research, whether within the dissertation or in a broader context, are publicly available through open-source projects. I consider this approach essential for ensuring continued research development and strengthening cooperation within the scientific community," says Roman Parák. The combination of research into innovative technologies with practical applications was what fascinated him the most and led him to choose this topic. The work also brought an extra bonus: the unique robotic workstation created remains at the university, now contributing not only to technological advancement but also to training future experts and significantly supporting education development at BUT. "I don’t like to take the path of least resistance — quite the opposite — I enjoy challenges backed by complex problems whose solutions have real meaning and impact," emphasizes Roman Parák.

A Lifelong Role Model: His Grandfather

When asked who his role model in life is, Roman Parák replies that it’s his grandfather, who introduced him to engineering when he was just a child. “Without his guidance, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. Although he wasn’t a scientist, as a teacher who always combined theoretical knowledge with practical use, he taught me that hard work and determination to achieve goals are values I should carry throughout life,” he adds.

An Award as Motivation

Winning the competition is a major motivation for Roman Parák moving forward. It confirms that what he is doing is meaningful and high-quality: “I believe this success will help me primarily in my current position. In addition to my academic role at BUT, I also work at the INTEMAC research and innovation center, where I focus on applied research and give lectures at outreach events aimed at supporting and developing small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic. I believe this recognition will increase my credibility and encourage businesses not to be afraid to invest in modern technologies.”

Also read: Werner von Siemens Awards 2024: BUT celebrates success with five awardees

Author: Werner von Siemens Award

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