
About the Project
iMAN - Intelligence for advanced Manufacturing systems
Acronym
iMAN
Responsible
Américo Azevedo
Status
Closed
Starting Date
January 1, 2015
Ending Date
January 30, 2019
Effective End Date
January 30, 2019
Global Budget
€1,268,623.00
Funding
€1,128,520.00
Website
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Datasheet
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Associated Centres
Industrial Engineering and Management
The Centre for Industrial Engineering and Management (CEGI) is internationally recognised in the fields of decision science, optimisation, operations management and service engineering. The mission is to support organisations and communities in decision-making by harnessing the power of data to develop robust and sustainable solutions to complex problems. Research at CEGI focuses on real-world challenges like transport planning, supply chain management, healthcare service networks, industrial operations optimisation, disaster response and recovery, and the impact assessment of public policies. By resorting to Artificial Intelligence, data science and mathematical modelling, CEGI aims to understand system behaviours, improve process efficiency, increase organisational resilience, and anticipate the effects of decisions in uncertain contexts. CEGI operates across critical sectors including mobility, healthcare, retail, industry, energy, and services, focusing on digital transition and sustainability. We collaborate with academia, companies, municipal authorities, hospitals, and regulators, transforming scientific knowledge into applied solutions. We believe that evidence-based management is key to tackling the challenges of a constantly changing world.

Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support
Our Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support (LIAAD) conducts research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Modelling. These areas are cross-cutting and apply to all sectors of society and the economy. The vast amounts of data being collected, alongside the ubiquity of digitalisation and sensorisation, are increasingly creating opportunities and challenges for automating decision support. The combination of Machine Learning and complex models is transforming the economy, healthcare, justice, industry, science, public administration, and education. This encourages us to invest in diverse technological and scientific approaches and perspectives. Our overarching strategy is to explore the flow and diversification of data, and to invest in research lines that will lead to the development of applied Artificial Intelligence foundations and models that are responsible and human centred.

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.

Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship
The mission of our Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) is to carry out multidisciplinary activities at the intersection of technology, innovation, sustainability, and management, promoting the exploration, implementation, and adoption of responsible and sustainable socio-technical systems. We focus on the areas of Innovation Management, Technology Management, and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship, exploring theories, methods, models, and tools to support the innovation process. Through research and innovation activities—including consultancy and advanced training—we address environmental, social, and economic challenges, contributing to the exploration, implementation, and adoption of innovative solutions. We create impact through research and innovation outcomes, aligning our activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We place high value on collaboration with both national and international partners. We are a member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), where our mission is to support Portuguese companies on their innovation journey by identifying and fostering international partnerships for business or innovation development, while also helping to find the most relevant funding sources. We support the implementation of innovation management systems, integrating technology management with new business models and value chains, and promoting sustainable and responsible practices. We also run open innovation and acceleration programmes, contributing to the development of startups and the strengthening of innovation ecosystems. We work across three core areas: innovation management and the front end of innovation (FEI), technology management and policy, and entrepreneurship and business model innovation.

Power and Energy Systems
INESC TEC’s main actor in the energy field is the Centre for Power and Energy Systems (CPES), which falls within the Cluster Energy Systems. We at CPES are internationally recognised for our expertise in the integration of renewable energy in power systems, distributed generation, storage, smart grids and areas traditionally associated with the planning and operation of power systems. The high level of expertise developed has allowed our experts at CPES to take on key roles in important EU projects as part of the successive framework programmes that led to notable scientific and technical advances with considerable impact on industry. This has led to contracts for development and consultancy with companies manufacturing equipment and with generation, transmission and distribution companies, regulators, government agencies and investors in Europe, South America, the United States of America and Africa. At CPES, we address the following main research areas: Decision Making, Optimisation and Computational Intelligence, Forecasting, Static and Dynamic analysis of Energy Grids, Reliability, Power Electronics.

Enterprise Systems Engineering
The research carried out at the Centre for Enterprise Systems Engineering (CESE) has a direct impact on industrial transformation, developing sustainable, resilient, and human-centred solutions to address the challenges of the digital and green transitions. Through a co-creation and development approach with scientific and industrial partners, CESE contributes to improve organisational capabilities and driving systemic innovation in complex industrial contexts. As a multidisciplinary research centre, CESE bridges science and practice in the field of Systems Engineering, focusing on value creation within industrial ecosystems. This mission is structured around five research lines that define CESE scientific and technological expertise: Manufacturing Systems Design and Management, Supply Chain and Collaborative Networks Management, Architectures and Industrial Information Systems, Technology Management in Industry, Transportation and Logistics.













