This year, for the first time, Germany will host the European Robotics Forum. This comes at a time of immense change in the world of AI and robotics, affecting all areas of society, academia, and industry. The topics discussed at ERF will reflect these turbulent developments. Rocking Robots, media partner for ERF 2025, discussed the upcoming show with Dr. Werner Kraus, Head of Robotics at Fraunhofer IPA.
“If 2024 was considered the year of AI, 2025 will likely be the year of robotics”, cites Werner Kraus, Head of Robotics at Fraunhofer IPA, a well-known German newspaper. His agenda is currently filled with the preparations for European Robotics Forum 2025, hosted by Stuttgart. “Of course, robotics goes hand in hand with AI, as they really complement each other. This synergy is also the vision of ERF: boosting the connection between robotics and AI.”
He continues: “For example, what NVIDIA showcased at CES this year was quite impressive, particularly with Cosmos, offering new AI models for robots. On the other hand, there was the announcement of a major new investment in AI from the new U.S. president, amounting to $500 billion. This raises the question of Europe’s position in this global competition.”
Stuttgart
It is the first time that ERF is being hosted in Germany. Kraus: “Hosting it in Stuttgart, specifically, is a perfect fit because Baden-Württemberg is a hidden champion in robotics. While we may not be globally recognized as a leader in robot manufacturing, we have a very strong ecosystem of robotics suppliers and component providers. The Stuttgart area is a hub for this kind of technology. For example, one of the startups here, Neura Robotics, recently announced a €120 million investment into cognitive robots and humanoids. And within Germany, we have a high rate of engineers.”
Therefore, ERF 2025 will showcase a lot of robotic developments from Germany. “We will be providing a lot of insights into what’s happening in Germany, including practical industry applications. But we will also be hosting workshops on humanoid robots, focusing on applications and future developments. We are in the middle of what I would call an ‘automation hot spot’ here in Stuttgart, largely driven by the automotive industry. We have many automation suppliers e.g. for grippers or safety technology nearby, and this proximity adds to the industry-focused nature of this year’s ERF.”
Innovations
Just like in earlier editions of ERF, technology transfer and startups will also be an important part of the show. “For startups we have adopted some successful formats from ERF 2023 in Odense, Denmark. For example, there will be B2B matchmaking, as well as an investor tips session, similar to what Denmark implemented. And of course fundamental research is also part of ERF. For instance, material science and soft robotics are key areas being addressed. Sustainability and circularity are also focus themes this year, e.g. robotic disassembly of electric car batteries showcased during the Fraunhofer IPA lab tour. I expect workshops on robotics inspired by natural and artificial intelligence to be particularly interesting.”
“There are basically infinite many ideas for application of robotics. We have so many verticals. I think attendees will be genuinely surprised at what’s happening in robotics, what’s already possible, and what’s achievable across different industries. For example, we recently had a case involving an agricultural robot, which is a great story. One of our partners built this robot that operates on a horse farm. Essentially, it drives around in the riding school and maintains the area, something that hadn’t been automated before. The farm owner had the idea to automate this task, approached us, and now it’s done. It’s fascinating to see how people engage with such innovations.”
Trends
The main trends dominating robotics are the curiosity about AI and how it integrates with robots. “AI platforms, in particular, are a major focus. For example, NVIDIA’s Cosmos, which I already mentioned above, is an impressive development. They trained this model on 20 million hours of video data. It is as if this AI had started watching YouTube videos in 270 BC. The second major point is: how do we scale robotics? Are we at the tipping point for this general-purpose technology, where we can massively deploy robots? And which use cases are most viable? There are so many use cases out there, but it still feels like a gold rush.”
“I think that’s the vibe we’re currently experiencing—trying to figure out which use cases work, and which ones, from an investor’s perspective, can create recurring revenues and sustainable business models. However, there’s also the regulatory side to consider—things like the AI Act and the new Machine Regulation. People are curious about innovation in AI-powered robotics, but they’re also trying to identify the right partners. For example, do we need to rely on foundation models from the U.S., or is it worth building European models?”
International
This all takes place on a global stage. Kraus: “Europe certainly has some strengths. We have an excellent education system, which means highly skilled people in our robotics labs. We also have a long history in robotics, with strong expertise in building robust robots. I think we’re also getting better at understanding use cases and are making strides in entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems, which is quite encouraging. Europe has strong potential in AI-powered robotics—what I’d call physical AI.
About the upcoming ERF, he says: “For me, a very critical point for the coming edition of ERF is how many end users get involved. Traditionally, ERF attracts many researchers and technology suppliers, which is great. But I think the real measure of success will be how many end users—from industries like automotive, logistics, healthcare, pharma, and agriculture, just to mention a few—actively participate. I’d really like to see exciting user stories and use cases for robotics emerge from this event. That’s what I’d consider a success—end user challenges and opportunities that we can build on in the years to come. Looking to the impressive lineup of industry sponsoring the ERF, I am quite optimistic that we reach this target.”
See also
German premiere for European Robotics Forum: ERF in Stuttgart in March 2025
