AIR4Health
iMARS: Intelligent Multi-Agent Robotic Systems
EU-Funded ProjectHorizon Europe · MSCA Staff ExchangesGrant No. 101182996First Responders · Robotics
iMARS: Intelligent Multi-Agent Robotic Systems
iMARS addresses critical challenges faced by First Responders (FRs) during emergency operations by developing an intelligent, robot-assisted system. Coordinated by IMSAR (Institute of Solid Mechanics of the Romanian Academy), the project brings together first responders, industry, and research institutions to reduce intervention times, enhance situational awareness, and minimise human risk, while training the next generation of experts in robotics, AI, and cyber-physical systems for emergency response.
Funding Support
European Union · Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
iMARS is funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges programme (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01-01, Grant Agreement No. 101182996), with a total EU contribution of €662,400 to the consortium. Edinburgh Napier University takes part as an associated partner and does not receive a share of the EU grant.
iMARS is funded by the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges programme (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01-01, Grant Agreement No. 101182996). The programme supports international and inter-sectoral secondments between academic, industrial, and first-responder partners.
Purpose & Objectives
01. Robot-Assisted Platform
An intelligent platform integrating autonomous mission vectors, sensor data fusion, AI-based decision support systems, and dynamic simulation tools.
02. Safer, Faster Response
Reducing intervention times, enhancing situational awareness, and minimising human risk through remote operability and smart coordination.
03. Knowledge Transfer
Knowledge transfer among academic and industrial partners across Europe, building multidisciplinary research and training next-generation experts in robotics, AI, and cyber-physical systems.
Edinburgh Napier University’s Role
Associated Partner · Communications
Smart Communication Module
Specialising in communication systems, cyber-security, and AI integration, ENU leads the development of the Smart Communication Module and supports the project’s dissemination activities.
Secondment · 16 April – 24 June 2026
ENU PhD Researcher at IMSAR, Bucharest
PhD researcher Zitong Chai completed a ten-week secondment at IMSAR, contributing to WP2 (DSS technical and usability requirements) and WP5 (DSS algorithms), with training in EEG acquisition and biosignal-controlled robotics. Progress was shared through Prof. Hongnian Yu’s online iMARS research workshops. Read the full story →
Consortium
Coordinator: IMSAR (Institute of Solid Mechanics of the Romanian Academy), Bucharest, leads iMARS, bringing expertise in robotic control, intelligent decision systems, advanced mechatronics, AI-based cyber-physical systems, and multi-agent robotic coordination. IMSAR contributes to system integration, dynamic simulation, and the design of the decision support module. Roles below follow the EU CORDIS project record.
Participants
- Stimpex S.A. (Romania): CBRN sensing technologies and ruggedised hardware integration
- TU Wien (Austria): navigation and object recognition modules, 3D mapping, and perception
- University of Palermo (Italy): cyber-physical systems, UAV platforms, and multi-agent control
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences (Serbia): robotics and embedded systems
- Cogvis (Austria): AI-based perception and monitoring, computer vision, and behavioural analysis
- Pompiers de l’Urgence Internationale (PUI) (France): urban search and rescue, experimental validation
- Edelweiss (Italy)
Associated Partners
- Edinburgh Napier University (UK): communication systems, cyber-security, and AI integration
- Scottish Ambulance Service (UK): pre-hospital emergency care and real-world usability validation
- O.E.D.D. (Omada Ethelonton Dasopyrosveston Diasoston, Greece): field validation, operational requirements, and real-world testing
- Zhongyuan University of Technology (China): intelligent robotics, human–robot interaction, and autonomous systems
- Ningbo University (China): robotics, sensing technologies, and AI-driven system integration
Secondment Success Stories
First-hand accounts from iMARS researchers and industry partners during their international secondments:
Stimpex S.A. → Palermo, Italy
Our Palermo Journey
Four weeks of multi-drone simulation, PID control, and real hardware testing at MIRPALab.
TU Wien → PUI Limoges, France
WiFi Sensing for First Responders
Bridging multimodal AI perception research with operational emergency response at PUI.
IMSAR → PUI France & TU Wien
Four Secondments, One Journey
From user requirements to LIDAR-equipped robots: 138 days across France and Austria.
University of Palermo → O.E.D.D. Athens, Greece
Robotics in Fire & Fog
Learning from Greek firefighters to build smarter UAV/UGV systems for dense-smoke environments.