Already used in certain fields, such as suspended camera systems in stadiums, CDPRs must still overcome several technological barriers to fully meet industrial requirements:
accuracy, stiffness, safety, ease of deployment, and simplicity of operation.
Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (CDPRs) are robots whose mobile platform is actuated by multiple cables and motors.
Their simple mechanical design enables them to move heavy payloads while covering very large workspaces.
This is the core objective of TITANBOT:
Transfer scientific knowledge and advances in cable-driven parallel robots into concrete industrial applications, working directly from the requirements of end users.
TITANBOT aims to advance cable-driven parallel robots from a laboratory technology into systems capable of being deployed in real industrial environments.
An industrialization-oriented research approach
TITANBOT aims to advance cable-driven parallel robots from a laboratory technology into systems capable of being deployed in real industrial environments.
Designing robots tailored to industrial constraints
This work package focuses on the design of cable-driven parallel robots, their individual components, and their overall architecture.
The research specifically considers the mobile platform, cables, base stations, and winches, as well as mechanical performance and accessible workspaces.
Expertise involved: CNRS – LS2N / CNRS – LIRMM / ACTEMIUM
Controlling robot motion
Accuracy and control are critical challenges for transferring CDPRs to industrial applications.
The research focuses in particular on control strategies, cable tension distribution, and workspace analysis to ensure robust motion tailored to the targeted applications.
Expertise involved: CNRS – LS2N / CNRS – LIRMM
Transitioning from simulation to prototype
Scientific findings are integrated into demonstrator platforms designed to meet industrial requirements.
For the nuclear use case, an existing demonstrator at IRT Jules Verne was specifically adapted to integrate a radiological measurement sensor.
Leaders / involved partners: IRT Jules Verne, ACTEMIUM, CNRS, VINCI Energies, Orano DS
Testing technology under real-world conditions
The demonstrators are evaluated based on concrete industrial use cases.
Evaluation extends beyond technical performance: it also encompasses techno-economic and human factors, notably user acceptability and ease of operation.
Involved partners: VINCI Energies / Orano DS / IRT Jules Verne / CETIM
Preparing for industrial scale-up
TITANBOT aims to advance technologies from a maturity level of TRL 3-4 at the start of Phase 1 to TRL 6-7 upon completion.
The project also addresses operator safety and standardization challenges, as specific standards for the commercialization of this type of robot are currently lacking.
Expertise involved: CETIM
Preparing the Robots of Tomorrow
A second phase of the project aims to pursue the industrialization of the prototypes developed during the first phase and expand their application to new requirements.
The involvement of a technology integrator is critical to transform prototypes into deployable solutions across various industrial environments.
Key partner: ACTEMIUM Paris Process Solutions
