Meet the professor behind a groundbreaking robotics initiative worth more than DKK 500 million.

Success is often the result of collective effort.

Nevertheless, in the story of SDU’s Large Structure Production venture at Odense Port, one man takes centre stage: Professor Christian Schlette from the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, who is the head of SDU Large Structure Production (LSP).

Christian Schlette joined SDU in 2017 from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, where he had led a small research group specialising in robotics and automation. He had only been at the Faculty of Engineering for a few weeks when he was tasked with developing existing ideas about bringing robotics research back to Lindø, where the Funen robotics adventure had started back in the 1990s.

– I hadn’t even finished my onboarding at SDU when I was given the responsibility of beginning to develop the idea of creating projects for the construction industry and of bringing SDU’s robotics research back to Lindø Industrial Park, says Christian Schlette and adds:

- I was able to outline a project fairly quickly, which involved an innovative, dynamic robotic environment that could operate across sectors, across materials and on large structures, but initially the industry doubted that it would ever be feasible. ‘Who is going to fund it? And who can take on the task?’ were the questions asked at the time.

The road to success

But that did not hold Christian Schlette back. One step at a time, he continued developing the idea through research projects and partnerships.

And the mission succeeded. SDU LSP and the many solid partners involved in the project have now secured more than DKK 500 million for research and development aimed at revitalising and strengthening industrial production in Denmark and Europe through robotics and artificial intelligence. The new buildings, which will house SDU’s robotics research at Lindø from now on, have been made possible by a donation of DKK 90 million from the A.P. Moller Foundation.

- I would like to emphasise that this success has many contributors. I am convinced that a project such as LSP can only succeed in Denmark. We’ve been met with an incredible amount of trust and motivation from our many different partners to advance the Lindø project. That kind of trust is Denmark’s secret ingredient for achieving great things, says Christian Schlette.

High hopes for LSP

Last week, the distinctive rust patinaed buildings on Innovationsvejen in Munkebo were officially opened, and they received high praise from Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, Chair of the A.P. Moller Foundation’s Board of Directors; Martin Lidegaard, Minister of Business and Competitiveness; and Claus Jensen, Chair of Dansk Metal (The Danish Metalworkers’ Union).

There are great expectations for SDU Large Structure Production and the world’s largest robotic work areas. With a purpose-built robot gantry measuring 30 x 20 x 10 metres, the robots can move over and around very large workpieces, which enables them to work on very large structures such as ships, wind turbines and large building components.

At SDU LSP, researchers and businesses can develop, test and demonstrate robotic solutions on an extremely large scale – which has been virtually impossible until now.

How can the Center make a difference to Denmark and Europe?

- We now actually have the facilities that sectors such as the shipbuilding and wind energy industries have long been calling for to be able to address challenges in relation to the workforce, efficiency and the green transition. Our collaboration with the industry is well underway, and we have already built up a strong reputation for making a real difference and finding solutions together with our partners. Now that the Center is ready, we will focus on robot development for the maritime sector in particular, Christian Schlette explains and adds:

- Throughout the project, we have consistently adhered to the original plan, and this has turned out to fit perfectly with the increased focus on industrial development and manufacturing sovereignty in Europe, which was emphasised in the Draghi Report.

The revitalisation of the energy, maritime and construction sectors is thus already underway, and it is based in the rust patinaed LSP buildings on Innovationsvejen. And Christian Schlette is looking forward to collaborating with his team as well as businesses and other partners to develop the solutions the industry will need in the future.

- For me, the driving force in this project has always been the people. Building a good team, collaborating across industries, politics and academia to make a difference in society and then celebrating our successes together. It makes all the difference.