Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Presentation

Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems

At the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, we develop innovative solutions to leverage robotics in the industrial, agricultural, and forestry contexts, driving the digital transformation of the industry.


We take a practical approach - from design to deployment - to test the navigation and localisation of mobile robots, explore advances in 2D/3D industrial vision and advanced detection, while also focusing on industrial and collaborative robotics, as well as human-robot interfaces.


Our TRIBE LAB is fertile ground for innovative ideas about the agriculture of the future; we develop prototypes and promote excellence in agricultural robotics and IoT technology: with prototypes, advanced sensors (LiDAR, AI cameras), and rapid prototyping tools, we accelerate the development of solutions for the agroforestry sector. We are also present at the iiLab, where we combine applied research, technological demonstration, and controlled environment testing, promoting the integration of emerging technologies into industry. From intelligent robotic cells and cyber-physical systems to data analysis and AI, it is an innovation space where companies can experiment with and validate solutions for the factory of the future.


With a multidisciplinary team, and following European agendas, our research work combines fundamental science and application, impacting the design of solutions for Industry 4.0, fostering competitiveness and the digital transformation of the sector.

news
Robotics

8,000 scientists gathered at one of the world’s largest robotics conferences – four of them from INESC TEC

One of the world’s largest and most prestigious robotics conferences, IROS (International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems), took place this year, in China (late October). INESC TEC was represented by four researchers who presented five papers at this event, which gathered more than 8,000 participants from across the globe.

14th November 2025

Systems Engineering and Management

The be@t project gives a new thread to the textile sector – with INESC TEC weaving innovative solutions

An event within the scope of the be@t project marked the presentation of the Textile Sorting Pilot Unit – an infrastructure incorporating solutions developed by INESC TEC, capable of processing around 50 tonnes of waste per year.

10th November 2025

Robotics

What does the future hold for operating rooms? INESC TEC helped find the answer

The Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Santo António brought together professionals from various fields to discuss emerging challenges in operating rooms.

30th October 2025

Robotics

INESC TEC participated in the European Researchers’ Night in Porto and Braga

The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) takes place on September 26, but the activities are not limited to that day alone. A series of pre-events is held across the country, organised and coordinated by various institutions. Once again, INESC TEC was actively involved. In Porto, the Institute collaborated with i3S to host a pre-event, while in Braga, we joined the National Centre for Advanced Computing (CNCA) to participate in the celebrations of September 26, showcasing the Deucalion supercomputer.

30th September 2025

Robotics

On “Family Day”, HORSE, a Renault Group factory, welcomes INESC TEC and robotics solutions

INESC TEC’s robotics and intelligent systems solutions travelled to Aveiro for HORSE’s “Family Day”; at this Renault Group factory, different generations had the opportunity to try out a teleoperation system using virtual reality.

11th July 2025

006

Featured Projects

RAPID_Start

Análise e Validação Técnica de AMR HikRobot - Compatibilidade e Conformidade VDA5050

2025-2025

BIOFAB

BIOProducts FABrication Support - BIOFAB+ - Support the R&D technical proposal writing - Holland BioProducts’ New Factory in Portugal

2025-2025

PFAI4_6eD

Programa de Formação Avançada Industria 4 - 6a edição

2025-2025

MacSense

Proposta de Prestação de Serviços de investigação e desenvolvimento de IHM para sistema de monitorização avançado de máquinas CNC

2025-2025

BolsasFCT_Gestao

Funding FCT PhD Grants - Management

2025-9999

RAIL_INSPECT

2016-2017

Team
Publications

CRIIS Publications

View all Publications

2026

A review of visual perception for robotic bin-picking

Authors
Cordeiro, A; Rocha, LF; Boaventura-Cunha, J; Figueiredo, D; Souza, JP;

Publication
ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS

Abstract
Robotic bin-picking is a critical operation in modern industry, which is characterised by the detection, selection, and placement of items from a disordered and cluttered environment, which can be boundary limited or not, e.g. bins, boxes or containers. In this context, perception systems are employed to localise, detect and estimate grasping points. Despite the considerable progress made, from analytical approaches to recent deep learning methods, challenges still remain. This is evidenced by the growing innovation proposing distinct solutions. This paper aims to review perception methodologies developed since 2009, providing detailed descriptions and discussions of their implementation. Additionally, it presents an extensive study, detailing each work, along with a comprehensive overview of the advancements in bin-picking perception.

2026

Economic benchmarking of assisted pollination methods for kiwifruit flowers: Assessment of cost-effectiveness of robotic solution

Authors
Pinheiro, I; Moura, P; Rodrigues, L; Pacheco, AP; Teixeira, JG; Valente, LG; Cunha, M; Neves Dos Santos, FN;

Publication
Agricultural Systems

Abstract
In 2023, global kiwifruit production reached over 4.4 million tonnes, highlighting the crop's significant economic importance. However, achieving high yields depends on adequate pollination. In Actinidia species, pollen is transferred by insects from male to female flowers on separate plants. Natural pollination faces increasing challenges due to the decline in pollinator populations and climate variability, driving the adoption of assisted pollination methods. This study examines the Portuguese kiwifruit sector, one of the world's top 12 producers, using a novel mixed-methods approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative analyses to assess the feasibility of robotic pollination. The qualitative study identifies the benefits and challenges of current methods and explores how robotic pollination could address these challenges. The quantitative analysis explores the cost-effectiveness and practicality of implementing robotic pollination as a product and service. Findings indicate that most farmers use handheld pollination devices but face pollen wastage and application timing challenges. Economic analysis establishes a break-even point of €685 per hectare for an annual single application, with a first robotic pollination of €17 146 becoming cost-effective for orchards of at least 3.5 hectares and a second robotic solution of €34 293 becoming cost-effective for orchards up to 7 hectares. A robotic pollination service priced at €685 per hectare per application presents a low-risk and a viable alternative for growers. This study provides robust economic insights supporting the adoption of robotic pollination technologies. This study is crucial to make informed decisions to enhance kiwifruit production's productivity and sustainability through precise robotic-assisted pollination. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

2026

AI Enabled Robotic Loco-Manipulation

Authors
Li, Q; Xie, M; Tokhi, MO; Silva, MF;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

Abstract

2026

Crisis or Redemption with AI and Robotics? The Dawn of a New Era

Authors
Silva, MF; Tokhi, MO; Ferreira, MIA; Malheiro, B; Guedes, P; Ferreira, P; Costa, MT;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

Abstract

2026

Mapping Ethics in EPS@ISEP Robotics Projects

Authors
Malheiro, B; Guedes, P; F Silva, MF; Ferreira, PD;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems

Abstract
The European Project Semester (EPS), offered by the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), is a capstone programme designed for undergraduate students in engineering, product design, and business. EPS@ISEP fosters project-based learning, promotes multicultural and interdisciplinary teamwork, and ethics- and sustainability-driven design. This study applies Natural Language Processing techniques, specifically text mining, to analyse project papers produced by EPS@ISEP teams. The proposed method aims to identify evidence of ethical concerns within EPS@ISEP projects. An innovative keyword mapping approach is introduced that first defines and refines a list of ethics-related keywords through prompt engineering. This enriched list of keywords is then used to systematically map the content of project papers. The findings indicate that the EPS@ISEP robotics project papers analysed demonstrate awareness of ethical considerations and actively incorporate them into design processes. The method presented is adaptable to various application areas, such as monitoring compliance with responsible innovation or sustainability policies. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.