LUT University's Vision For Intelligent Machines and Future Packaging

Mikko Arponen
21 minutes ago
2 min read

The Kawasaki & Orfer 30th Anniversary celebration was not merely a retrospective of a successful partnership, but above all, a window into the future. Keynote speaker Professor Heikki Handroos (Head of Laboratory of Intelligent Machines, LUT University) offered a compelling glimpse into how top-level research is reshaping the future of the manufacturing industry.

Professor Heikki Handroos delivering a presentation on AI, robotics, and collaboration in packaging automation at an event.

Ranked among the top 300 universities globally, LUT University is known for its ability to build bridges between high-level science and practical application. In his address, Professor Handroos highlighted how the university’s research into intelligent machines is laying the foundation for new industrial innovations.

Imitative Learning brings flexibility

One of the most interesting concepts discussed was the rise of Imitative Learning. Where traditional automation relies on precise programming, Handroos painted a picture of a future where robotics is capable of a more abstract level of adaptability.

GIF showing a robot learning a movement by imitating a human hand, demonstrating Imitative Learning in robotics research.

The research points the way toward systems that do not simply execute code, but "learn" from behavioral patterns. For packaging automation, this promises production lines that possess superior flexibility compared to today’s rigid systems. Future automation will be capable of human-like versatility, adapting to production changes seamlessly.

A gentle, human-like touch

The transition of research from the laboratory to the real world is concretely visible in the development of soft gripper technology. In the food industry, handling variable and delicate items is often a significant challenge for traditional grippers.

Handroos introduced a solution developed at LUT University: a gripper based on internal material compliance. This innovation has spawned a spin-off company based in Oslo, THT Robotics (The Human Touch Robotics).

Robotic arm gently gripping an onion, illustrating the automated handling of delicate food items in packaging.

The company utilizes this university-derived technology specifically for online grocery logistics, enabling the automated handling of delicate items.

New opportunities for packaging automation

Professor Handroos concluded his address by outlining key areas where research and industry can align to push current boundaries:

Robot-Ready Infrastructure: Instead of trying to fit automation into spaces designed solely for humans, future factories—and even the buildings themselves—can be designed from the start to support autonomous internal logistics.

Professor Heikki Handroos posing next to a multi-armed research robot in the LUT University Intelligent Machines laboratory.

Smart Package Design: Efficiency also lies within the package itself. As noted in the DS Smith presentation, material and shape are critical for automation. The university’s expertise in optimizing mechanical material properties is key here: when packaging is designed specifically for robotic gripping, waste can be reduced, and line speeds significantly increased.