Quick facts

• Programme: Horizon
• Project number: 101294624
• Start date: 1 June 2026
• End date: 31 May 2029
• Duration: 36 months
• Total budget: 5,978,078 EUR

About the project

The EMPOWR project addresses the need to keep human workers at the centre of advanced manufacturing as the sector digitalises, by developing adaptive augmentation technologies that support rather than replace the operator. Grounded in the Industry 5.0 paradigm, the project combines Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Digital Twins into a single cognitive ecosystem, aiming to raise worker safety, inclusivity, and productivity on the shopfloor.

Project Objectives: The primary goal of EMPOWR is to build a human-centric augmentation toolkit that supports workers in real time and adapts to their individual needs, skills, and physical or cognitive state.

The project will deliver the following key solutions:

• ALMA (Adaptive Learning Manufacturing Assistant): A multimodal AI assistant providing real-time, personalised support through natural interaction with workers.
• Adaptive AR Workbench: An augmented reality interface that adjusts the information shown to each worker based on their task, profile, and cognitive load.
• Worker Intention Prediction and Strain Monitoring: AI models and wearable biofeedback sensors that detect physical and mental strain and anticipate worker movements to prevent injury.
• Digital Twin Framework: A standardised, two-tier Digital Twin architecture, aligned with IDTA and EU standards, enabling real-time monitoring and remote operation of manufacturing processes.
• Living Labs Methodology: A participatory approach engaging workers, managers, and stakeholders in co-design, scenario building, and iterative validation of the technologies.

The developed solutions will be piloted in two industrial settings: thermoplastic composite layup in aerospace (Automated Fiber Placement), and smart automated PET preform production. This validates the technologies across both low-volume/high-complexity and high-volume/automated manufacturing contexts. A strong emphasis will be placed on ethical, psychological, and organisational dimensions, with Social Sciences and Humanities expertise ensuring trust, fairness, and compliance with EU AI and occupational safety regulations, alongside adaptive training modules to support worker upskilling.

EMPOWR prioritises user needs and experiences, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in its solutions. By addressing both technological and human factors, the project will help European manufacturers reduce defect rates and downtime, improve ergonomics and worker well-being, and accelerate upskilling. The project’s outcomes will feed directly into EU Industry 5.0 policy and standardisation efforts, positioning European manufacturing as more resilient, competitive, and attractive for current and future generations of workers.

Project partners

• Ethniko Kentro Erevnas kai Technologikis Anaptyxis (CERTH) – coordinator
• Technische Universiteit Delft
• Institut Mines-Télécom
• Elliniko Mesogeiako Panepistimio
• Deep Blue Srl
• Ergoprolipsi Etaireia Periorismenis Efthynis
• Collins Aerospace Ireland, Limited
• Advanced Laboratory on Embedded Systems Srl
• Koninklijke Fabriek Inventum B.V.
• Resilux Etaireia Syskeyasion Notiou Evropis Anonymi Viomichaniki kai Emporiki Etaireia
• Aethon Engineering Single Member PC
• Microsystems Ltd
• Institute of Entrepreneurship Development Estonia OÜ
• EIT Manufacturing East GmbH
• Lietuvos Pramoninkų Konfederacija
• HelixConnect Europe Srl
• Creating Integrated Mechanicals Systems Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes