1. ECHORD++: An Experiment in Robotics Innovation
Geoff Pegman, R U Robots Limited
Oslo 14th September 2017

2. What is ECHORD++? EU-funded robotics project 7 initial partners
Based on the success of ECHORD ( )
Experiment Call 1
PDTI public bodies
PDTI R&D
Experiment Call 2

3. ECHORD++ - from lab to market
Runtime –
Funding ~19m € (ca. 28,5m SGD)
Best practice of first ECHORD project and two new instruments
Role model for cascading funding: Nearly 80 % of the funding is re- distributed to partners outside the core consortium
More than just funding: support for application-oriented research & development projects
Target-group oriented outreach, dissemination and exploitation with a focus on customer-centred communication
An experiment in innovation models

4. Public end-user Driven Technological Innovation
ECHORD++ Instruments
ECHORD++ stimulates the interaction between robot manufacturers, researchers and users. This goal is achieved by implementing three different instruments:
Experiments
Public end-user Driven Technological Innovation
(PDTI)
Robotics Innovation
Facilities
(RIF)

5. Experiments
Small to medium sized scientific research and/or technology development projects
Clear focus on generation of impact
Funding ~ 300k € (ca. 450k SGD) per experiment
Duration up to 18 months
Small consortia, typically 2-3 partners
Two calls, spring 2014, and mid-2015
31 experiments selected for funding
Date // Speaker

6. PDTI - technology for the needs of the market
PDTI offers an unmatched integration of the public sector in robotics technology development
Scenarios “sewer inspections” and “Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment” (CGA) affect billions of people worldwide
Technology is developed in a competitive process: only four of the initial six consortial will make it to the end – two for each scenario.

7. The RIF use is free of charge!
Robotics Innovation Facilities
The ECHORD++ Robotics Innovation Facilities (RIFs) are:
Open labs, equipped with state-of-the-art robotics hardware and software as well as scientific and technical support
Places for bringing researchers and industry in direct contact with current and new users of robotics technologies
Test-beds for ECHORD++ experiments
Central showrooms for the general public
And…
The RIF use is free of charge!
Date // Speaker

8. RIF in Action Aimed primarily at SMEs But large Companies welcome
Support for both robot innovators and (new) end users
3 National Centres
Paris, France
Peccioli, Italy
Bristol, UK
Wide and flexible range of support
Equipment use and trials
Development support and advice
Support for connecting to follow on funding

9. What comes next?
ECHORD is now a European trade mark and can be further exploited
The model of cascading funding is already widely used by the European Commission
The PDTI concept can be extended to many more use-cases
RIFs are one of the sources that have fed into the DIH concepts that have been developed by the Commission.
Many follow-up projects and proposals have already emerged from the two ECHORD projects, showing the success of networking and community building
// Sebastian Weisenburger

10. DIH in Robotics April 2018 Call Possible expectations:
4 Robotic DIHs, 1 in each priority area
Healthcare
Infrastructure Inspection & Maintenance
Agri-Food
Agile Production
Circa €16m each
At least 50% FSTP action
Link to Regional / National funds and actions may be desirable
Associated CSA

11. Creating transfer excellence: From RIFs to DIH
Digital Innovation Hubs needs to build on the experience developed in many initiatives
They need to be proactive to attract SMEs
Geography matters
Linked hubs can deliver more locally
Expertise
Market knowledge
Best practice

12. Thank You The End ECHORD++ creates transfer excellence
The ECHORD Plus Plus Consortium acknowledges support by the European Commission under FP7 contract