In recent years, there has been a shift from mass production to customization, presenting new challenges for conventional production lines that were traditionally focused on a single product variant or product family. These limitations have become increasingly evident in light of the changing needs of modern production.

To address these challenges, MASTERLY (2023–2026) developed flexible robotic solutions that overcome these limitations. The project combined modular grippers with cutting-edge robotic technologies such as mobile, high and low payload industrial and collaborative robots, and smart cranes. These solutions were enhanced with AI-driven advanced control and perception capabilities, enabling them to operate autonomously, handle a wide range of parts varying in size, shape and material, and be acceptable to workers of all genders.

The MASTERLY technologies were tested and validated for flexibility, efficiency and user acceptance in three use cases from different production sectors — elevator manufacturing at KLEEMANN, sportswear warehouse logistics at DECATHLON, and aeronautics production at AERNNOVA — demonstrating their applicability, scalability and adaptability across production lines and sectors.

Since the project’s conclusion in June 2026, the consortium partners have been working to bring these results towards industrial uptake.