The HERCULES project (Human-cEntRic Collaborative aUtomation exceLlence hub for European widening countrieS, Project No.101341025), coordinated by Warsaw University of Technology, has been awarded funding under the HORIZON-WIDERA-2026-02-WIDENING-01 (Twinning) call of the Horizon Europe programme. The project is coordinated by Dr Eng. Krzysztof Ejsmont from the Institute of Production Systems Organization at the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology. 

The proposal received 14 out of 15 points in the European Commission's expert evaluation, confirming the outstanding scientific and organisational quality of the project. 

The main objective of HERCULES is to establish the Human-Centric Collaborative Automation Excellence Hub (Co-Hub) at Warsaw University of Technology, an international centre of excellence dedicated to Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) for advanced manufacturing systems. The project focuses on Industry 5.0 solutions, including artificial intelligence, collaborative robotics, and technologies that enhance workplace safety, ergonomics, and productivity. 

HERCULES will strengthen the research capacity of Warsaw University of Technology through researcher exchanges, mentoring, joint research activities, staff mobility, and the transfer of best practices from leading European research institutions. 

The project consortium consists of: 

• SUPSI – Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana (Switzerland), 
• Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) (Italy). 

The total project budget amounts to €1,491,750, of which €646,937.50 is allocated to Warsaw University of Technology. 

HERCULES is the fourth Horizon Europe project coordinated by Warsaw University of Technology and the first Horizon Europe project coordinated by the Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. This landmark achievement represents an important milestone for the Faculty and provides a unique opportunity to further strengthen its research excellence, expand international collaboration, and establish long-term partnerships with leading European universities and research organisations. The project will significantly enhance the Faculty's position within the European Research Area (ERA).