The Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technologies (CRTA), operating at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Zagreb, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this year. As the first center of excellence for robotics in Croatia, CRTA represents a unique scientific and research platform that unites three top-notch laboratories – for autonomous systems, computational intelligence, and medical robotics.
Since its establishment, CRTA has positioned itself as a focal point for research, development and innovation in the field of robotics, fostering collaboration between academia, industry and other relevant stakeholders. The center facilitates the transfer of knowledge and technology, thereby directly contributing to economic development, strengthening competitiveness and educating experts for future technologies.
Infrastructure and educational contribution
CRTA covers an area of 740 m² and includes:
- Computational Intelligence Laboratory – focused on research into motor intelligence through humanoid robots and anthropomatic systems.
- Autonomous Systems Laboratory – develops solutions for human-robot collaboration in industrial and other environments.
- Medical Robotics Laboratory – includes a surgical theater for testing robotic systems in neurosurgery under realistic conditions.
These laboratories are also important infrastructure for the implementation of the first Croatian university study program. Mechatronics and robotics, launched in 2020 at FSB, and whose programs include modules such as robotics, autonomous systems, automation, and cybernetics. The study trains future engineers to work with the most advanced technologies and actively involves them in the Center's research projects.
Research and collaborations
CRTA is today involved in a number of domestic and international research and innovation projects:
- INSIGHT (with BMW Group): Development of predictive AI models to improve the production and recycling of battery cells.
- RESONANCE and REMDOC: Robotic assistance projects in medical diagnostics and therapy.
- INSPIRATION: Three-year project to develop a non-invasive method of patient registration for robotic neurosurgery.
- PRONOBIS and ANDROMEDA: Research in the field of robotic biopsy and autonomous drilling for medical applications.
- MARINERO and ROBOCAMP: IRI projects focused on innovations in tourism and digital transition.
A significant advantage of CRTA is that research teams consist not only of scientists and engineers, but also of graduate and doctoral students, which directly raises their professional level and facilitates mobility between the academic and industrial sectors.
A look into the future
CRTA continuously develops its own research capacities and ensures the openness and accessibility of the infrastructure to all interested scientists and researchers. The vision of the Center is to be a center of excellence recognized throughout Europe, with the goal of creating new technologies, patents and knowledge that will improve society, the economy and everyday life.
Given everything achieved in the past four years, CRTA looks to the future with optimism and continues with its mission of creating innovations, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and educating experts who will shape the world of the future.
CRTA – a center where the future becomes the present!
The project was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund
The website was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
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