Research Projects

CoPoT
Connected Power Tools
Start: 08/2019
End: 07/2022

CoPoT – Connected Power Tools developed a smart power-tool system designed to actively support users during DIY assembly tasks and to help prevent incorrect tool use. At the core of the project was a digital ecosystem consisting of an intelligent cordless screwdriver, a smart toolbox, and a cloud platform. Sensor and usage data are captured, processed locally or in the cloud, and analysed using machine-learning methods. Based on these analyses, the system can provide suitable operating parameters, recommendations, and best-practice guidance. The power tool adjusts its settings according to the current situation, while the toolbox acts as a local edge unit that preprocesses, buffers, and synchronizes data with the cloud. The project aimed to transform power tools into intelligent assistants that help non-experts, and potentially professional users, work more safely, efficiently, and with reproducible results.
CoPoT investigated and prototypically implemented a system environment for connected power tools. The overall system consists of three levels: an intelligent power tool, a smart toolbox as an edge-computing unit, and a cloud platform. The cordless screwdriver is equipped with sensors, communication interfaces, and actuators to detect usage situations, provide measurement data, and automatically adapt operating parameters. The toolbox handles local data storage, preprocessing, and communication with other devices such as smartphones or tablets. The cloud platform provides central analysis of anonymized usage data, model and algorithm management, and the delivery of recommendations. The project developed hardware and electronics demonstrators, cloud and edge components, machine-learning algorithms, data models, interfaces, and a validation environment. User studies, living-lab scenarios, and demonstrators were used to assess practical applicability. Particular attention was paid to data protection, IT security, edge computing, adaptive data processing, and transferability to other power tools and IoT applications.
Role of the FZI
FZI’s main role in CoPoT was the research and implementation of dynamic edge-processing concepts. Its core task was to design and prototype an architecture that dynamically distributes algorithms and processing steps along the cloud-edge continuum, covering the power tool, the smart toolbox, and the cloud. FZI developed methods for deployment, scheduling, monitoring, and adaptive publish/subscribe communication. A semantic model of device capabilities, such as sensors, actuators, computing power, and bandwidth, provides the basis for runtime decisions on where algorithms should be executed. FZI also contributed its expertise in stream processing, edge computing, semantic technologies, machine learning and IT security. FZI supported requirements analysis, system architecture, demonstrator integration, validation of software components and scientific dissemination.

Contact person
Department Manager
Division: Information Process Engineering
Headquarters Karlsruhe

Research focus
Applied Artificial Intelligence

AI from research to practice: We promote applied AI for business and small and medium-sized enterprises, integrating technology with law and ethics.

Security and Resilience

Security and resilience for the digital future: Our research strengthens the cybersecurity, safety, and data protection of businesses and governments.

Digital Society

Drawing on our expertise in applied AI, computational social science, and medical technology, we develop solutions for the political, business, and civil sectors.

Robotics

We develop mobile systems and autonomous walking robots for use in space travel, industry, and public spaces. We put them to the test in the FZI Living Lab Service Robotics.

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