ecoplus Mechatronik-Cluster: TendAssist – Robots Load and Unload Faster

Date: 20.01.2026
Thematic focus: Strengthening technological leadership

In metal processing, machines are often still loaded and unloaded manually because programming robots for individual jobs takes longer than doing the work by hand. High product variety and small batch sizes make automation even more challenging.

The project "TendAssist", supported by the Mechatronics Cluster of the Lower Austrian business agency ecoplus and funded by the FFG, is developing a DIY framework for fast and intuitive robot programming. The goal is to reduce programming time for loading and unloading processes to under five minutes. To achieve this, the consortium combines cobots with force-torque sensors, interactive operator guidance, and AI-based image recognition – enabling even complex delivery situations such as tightly packed profiles to be detected and processed.

Research partner PROFACTOR is working together with companies such as Welser Profile, Danube Dynamics, Faschang Werkzeugbau, and INNOTECH on new methods and concepts. The ecoplus Mechatronics Cluster acts as a central platform for knowledge transfer and cooperation. After setting up the test system with a 20-kg cobot in the first project year, the focus in the second project year is on implementation and practical testing.

With TendAssist, monotonous tasks are to be reduced, unit labor costs lowered, and competitiveness strengthened. The project demonstrates how cooperation and innovation can make automation possible even for complex processes.

Project duration: June 2023 to February 2026

Additional information:

Contact

Benjamin Losert, Deputy Cluster Manager Plastics Cluster & Mechatronics Cluster, ecoplus. The Business Agency of Lower Austria Ltd.
b.losert@ecoplus.at