The SOFTMANBOT project, formally titled Advanced Robotic Technology for Handling Soft Materials in Manufacturing Sectors, was funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. Its main objective was to develop an innovative and holistic robotic system capable of handling flexible and deformable materials within labour-intensive production processes. The project ran from October 2019 to March 2023, with a total budget of EUR 7.56 million, entirely funded by the EU. Coordinated by Clermont Auvergne INP, the consortium brought together twelve partners across Europe, representing key manufacturing sectors such as toys, textiles, footwear, and tyres. 

SOFTMANBOT delivered a comprehensive robotic solution composed of three main pillars:

• A generic robotic perception system capable of tracking product states and collaborating with human operators.
• A multi-sensor control and planning platform integrating advanced algorithms for shape and contact servoing and AI-based task generalisation.
• Smart dexterous grippers designed to handle soft components with robustness and flexibility, incorporating tactile sensors for precise contact state identification.

Key achievements of the project include:

• Development of modular and interoperable robotic architecture.
• Successful design and testing of advanced perception systems using visual and tactile sensors.
• Creation of innovative dexterous grippers tailored to different industrial use cases.
• Implementation of human-robot collaboration interfaces, including haptic gloves for motion and feedback.
• Delivery of complete robotic cells for four sectors: textile, tyre, footwear, and toy manufacturing, including four pilot demonstrations. 

SOFTMANBOT contributed to the EU’s objectives by introducing automation solutions for tasks such as fabric manipulation and footwear assembly, which are traditionally manual and ergonomically demanding. By deploying robotic cells and smart grippers, the project reduces physical strain on workers, improves productivity, and ensures consistent product quality. These innovations support the digital transformation of textile and footwear manufacturing through collaborative robotics and AI-driven systems, making these sectors more competitive and attractive for reshoring production to Europe. From a sustainability perspective, SOFTMANBOT aimed to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency by minimising errors and optimising production processes. Furthermore, the project aligned with EU strategies to strengthen resilience and bring manufacturing back to Europe, particularly benefiting SMEs in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and footwear. 

SOFTMANBOT was coordinated by Clermont Auvergne INP and involved partners from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Albania, including leading research institutions and manufacturing companies such as Sorbonne Université, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and Zimmer GmbH. This strong European collaboration enabled extensive knowledge exchange and integration of expertise in robotics, AI, and manufacturing processes. The project contributed to building capacity for advanced automation in Europe, fostering innovation and supporting the transformation of traditional industries towards safer, more efficient, and competitive production models.