Abstract:

The goal of the Industry 4.0 revolution is the integration of manufacturing processes with digital technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced automation. This integration leads to the development of intelligent manufacturing systems capable of autonomous decision-making and adaptation to changing production conditions. Modern robotic systems are no longer confined to repetitive tasks behind safety barriers; instead, they can respond to dynamic environments, solve complex problems, and collaborate directly with humans.These capabilities are embodied by collaborative robots (cobots), which enable safe human–robot interaction in shared workspaces. Effective work with cobots requires not only an understanding of basic control principles, but also the appropriate selection of robot types for specific industrial applications. Collaborative robot workspaces are defined using coordinate systems, while robot trajectories can be programmed through interfaces such as TP Tablet or iPendant.In the educational process, it is beneficial to introduce students to various trajectory programming methods, providing a comprehensive view of robotics applications in industrial environments. Different programming approaches support the development of technical competencies and enable students to compare alternative problem-solving strategies. An interdisciplinary approach contributes to accurate and efficient robot path programming while considering safety, process optimization, and practical industrial applicability.The use of diverse robot programming methods improves the quality of education, fosters creativity and collaboration, and strengthens the innovative potential of Centres of Excellence. These centres benefit from a broader range of programming methodologies, which facilitate the development of new educational frameworks and the testing of advanced robotic technologies.The cooperation between the Slovak University of Technology and the Centre of Excellence established by the private secondary vocational school DSA aims to integrate innovative education with practical training and to transfer hands-on experience and creative thinking to both academic and industrial sectors. Through this collaboration, the project seeks to verify the feasibility of combining innovative robotics education with practical vocational training.The research focuses on ensuring safety and efficiency in the educational process, preparing students for the demands of modern industry, and strengthening the professional standing of the Centre of Excellence in dual education. The main objective is to present and verify new didactic approaches to robot programming education. Within the experimental framework, offline simulation of collaborative robot motion will be carried out in the RoboGuide environment, followed by validation on a real robotic system.The outcomes will include the monitoring and evaluation of key indicators related to collision detection and the design of safe human–robot collaboration solutions. Final outputs will consist of simulation-based tasks and methodological procedures supporting effective education and practical training of secondary vocational school students.

Acknowledgement:
The Slovak University of Technology cooperates with the private secondary vocational school DSA Trnava within the national project Center of Excellence for Vocational Education and Training – 401403DUZ7.

Keywords:

Industry, collaborate, programming, centre of excellence.