Every year, the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille welcomesmany internationalstudentsto the "Master of Science KIMP APS" (Knowledge Integration in Mechanical Production – Advanced Production Systems) program. This program, supported by the LISPEN laboratory, trainsengineerscapable of designing and integrating agile production systems, with expertise in robotics, mechatronics, and advanced approaches to artificial intelligence.
Among thesestudents, Carl Johan Mokdessi Elias and Arvid Markroth, who are from Sweden, are completing their final-year internships from January through June as part of a dual-degree program offered by their Swedish university and Arts et Métiers. Here’s a look back at their experience.
Two Swedish students in the KIMP-APS dual-degree program share their experiences: international mobility supporting research in robotics and AI
The KIMP-APS Research Master's Program: A top-tier program focused on the industries of the future
The KIMP-APS Research Master’s program, offered at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille, trains students in the design and integration of agile production systems.
The program, taught in English, consists of one semester of coursework followed by a semester dedicated to a research thesis conducted at a company or in a laboratory, either in France or abroad.
As part of the KIMP-APS program—“Knowledge Integration in Mechanical Production - Advanced Production Systems”—students develop strong skills in robotics, advanced mechatronics, modeling and control, the integration of AI into production processes, and the design of flexible systems to meet the needs of modern industry.
This specialization is part ofArts et Métiers missionArts et Métiers train professionals capable of addressing the technological, economic, and societal challenges associated with the evolution of production systems and innovations in the industry of the future.
This program also has dual-degree agreements with several foreign institutions, specifically KTH and Linköping University in Sweden, which allows students to gain valuable international experience.
Carl Johan and Arvid’s journey of international mobility from Sweden to the Lille campus
Since January, Carl Johan Mokdessi Elias and Arvid Markroth, fifth-year Swedish engineering students, have joined the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Lille to complete their final-year internship as part of their KIMP APS dual degree program.
An opportunity discovered along the way and turned into a research project
It was through courses taught by Pietro Sandrini, a doctoral student at the LISPEN laboratory in Lille, and Adel Olabi, director of the KIMP APS program, that the two students learned about the opportunity to study abroad in France.
Impressed by the research topics presented, they approached Adel Olabi on their own initiative and offered to join the team working on the robotic disassembly station.
Very quickly, their interest in the subject turned into a genuine commitment: they decided to define their own research question, building on their previous studies in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Their goal: to make the use of robotics and artificial intelligence for disassembly more widespread
“Today, in the industry, most disassembly operations are still performed manually. Existing robotic solutions are often limited because they are programmed for a specific object and offer little flexibility,” they say.
The goal of the LISPEN laboratory’s project in this area is to develop a more generic and adaptable method, using artificial intelligence to enable robots to recognize different objects, adjust their movements, handle fragile, toxic, or small parts that are too difficult for a human operator to handle, and perform strenuous or repetitive tasks.
Carl-Johan and Arvid are particularly interested in one specific application: The emerging challenge of recycling electric car motors
They explain: “With the growing number of electric vehicles worldwide, an increasing volume of motors will soon need to be recycled. However, these motors contain valuable materials, the extraction of which requires not only precise human handling but also the ability to operate in hazardous environments that are difficult to access.”
"Currently, robots lack the precision needed to completely replace human operators. Our project is therefore based on AI algorithms capable of functioning 'like a brain' to analyze complex situations and guide the robot with greater precision."
Their interest in this project stems in particular from the expected impacts:
- environmental: improved waste management and reduction, responsible recycling
- technological and industrial: providing more robust automated solutions that are attractive to businesses.
A rewarding Franco-Swedish experience
Carl Johan was already familiar with France thanks to his studies at the Lycée Français Saint Louis in Stockholm and his summer visits. Lille was a first for him. For Arvid, it was a new adventure. Both particularly appreciate the availability and support of Julie Deflandre, head of international relations at the Lille campus, who helped them settle in and integrate, as well as the warm welcome from the entire research team.
“We’ve been fortunate to be part of a modern and flexible academic and research environment, thanks not only to the state-of-the-art laboratory equipment but also to the scalable and adaptable educational modules focused on practical applications, particularly in robotics. We also appreciate the exchange of knowledge: being able to share what we’ve learned in Sweden while testing new tools or research approaches.”
Thanks to the KIMP APS dual degree program, Carl Johan and Arvid were able to conduct an educational research project on smart disassembly, while gaining a rich international experience both personally and academically.
Their testimonials highlight a program that prepares engineers to tackle the major challenges of the industry of the future, within a framework focused on innovation and international collaboration.
