User Group: Gründer:innen

For the first time in its 15 years, ERF is coming to Germany. In spring 2025, the European robotics community will meet at its flagship event in the Liederhalle, located in the heart of Stuttgart. ERF is the most important European event for robotics and AI and this year’s theme is “Boosting the Synergies between Robotics and AI for a stronger Europe”. The aim is to bring together research and industry, present the current state of robotics and AI on a large stage, and help shape future technological developments.

Bind research and industry together

“The increasing integration of robotics with artificial intelligence, cognitive systems, and machine learning holds tremendous potential for our economy and society. It is crucial for Germany and Europe to not only use these technologies but also to develop them. This is the only way we can actively set standards and secure a leading position in international competition,” says Prof. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is making an important contribution by advancing these technologies while also supporting companies and SMEs in fully exploiting the potential of service and industrial robotics. I am delighted that we are supporting the European Robotics Forum as a research partner.”

euRobotics, the European Robotics Association, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA as its scientific partner and an event agency, are responsible for organizing the event. The President of euRobotics Dr. Bernd Liepert says: “ERF has been part of our story since euRobotics was founded in 2010, even two years before the euRobotics association was formally founded. Since then it has become part of the glue that binds research and industry together so well. As the robotics association for the whole European continent we always take an international perspective. At the same time, after 15 years in which ERF has taken place in countries right across Europe, as a Bavarian, I’m personally delighted that this year we will be in Germany! I wish the organisers every success during the lead-up and the delivery of ERF in Stuttgart.”

Werner Kraus, Head of Fraunhofer IPA’s Automation and Robotics research division, is the general chair of the event. He is particularly pleased about bringing ERF to Stuttgart in the “Year of Robotics”, as it has already been proclaimed in the press, and to use it as a platform and catalyst for new innovations: “In the context of demographic change, robotics is seen as the technology for securing prosperity. With its strong robotics ecosystem of users and suppliers of AI robotics solutions, Baden-Württemberg is helping to shape this future. More than ever, new ideas are needed, as the ERF will provide. I am very grateful for the wide-ranging support, because it is only with this that such a large event is possible.”

One event, many formats

ERF features a diverse range of event formats and is therefore unique in the European robotics community. Keynotes, lectures, and workshops make up a large part of the very diverse program. For example, attendees can select between more than 50 workshops with topics like application trends in industrial and service robotics, generative AI in robot programming and control, regulatory AI Act or humanoid robots.

In addition, individuals and companies can apply for several euRobotics awards, which will be presented during ERF. These include the Tech Transfer Award for outstanding success in transferring research results into business applications, the Renaud Champion Entrepreneurship Award, which is given to the most promising robotic start-up idea, and the Georges Giralt PhD Award for the best doctoral thesis in the field of robotics in Europe. An exhibition of robot and AI-based applications, presented in the style of a trade fair, complements the program. Networking and professional exchange also play a major role – which include two evening events and site visits to the regional robotic ecosystem.

Public Engagement and Scientific Track

For the first time, free program items in the weeks leading up to and during the ERF are planned, which, in the spirit of “public engagement”, shall address interested parties from all areas of society, to inform and start an exchange about robotics and AI. As a cooperation partner, Cyber Valley is contributing this part of the program to the event.

The “Scientific Track”, i.e. the scientific part of the program organized by the University of Stuttgart and Fraunhofer IPA, is being held for the second time. Its premiere at 2024 ERF in Rimini was very successful. The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO will contribute with program items on the topic of “Future of Work”. ERF will also provide a platform for major national and international initiatives such as the Robotics Institute Germany, RoX – Digital Ecosystem for AI-based Robotics, and the ROS Industrial Consortium for open-source software.

Great appeal for European robotics

The event will have a major impact on European robotics. The fact that it is being held in Germany for the first time is a perfect fit, as it is the country with the highest number of euRobotics members and the highest robot density in Europe, with 429 robots per 10,000 employees. This puts Germany in fourth place worldwide, with South Korea in first place with 1012 robots, according to an annual survey by the International Federation of Robotics.

AI-based robotics is also an important strategic cornerstone of German and European economic and science policy to tackle social challenges such as demographic change and labour shortages. Important impetus for this will also come from the conference “AI-based Robotics 2025” (KIRO), which will be integrated into ERF and is carried out by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMWK) and of Education and Research (BMBF).

Many well-known guests

In this context, numerous well-known guests lend ERF additional significance. The current Federal Minister of Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, is announced for the official opening on March 25, 2025. Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, will also be part of the official opening of ERF. Contributions by Baden-Württemberg’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, and by Lucilla Sioli, Director for AI and Digital Industry at the European Commission, are further official items on the program. The local Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism is a co-organizer of the ERF 2025. Finally, the state capital Stuttgart, and the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation are also supporting the ERF. Stuttgart’s Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper will be giving a welcome speech at the pre-Forum reception on March 24th that will be hosted by the City of Stuttgart.

Press conference and panel discussion

Following the opening on March 25, a press conference and panel discussion about Europe’s status and possibilities with respect to robotics and AI technologies is planned, which is aimed in particular at media representatives. The General Chair of the event, Dr. Werner Kraus from Fraunhofer IPA, as well as the Co-Chairs Dr. Matthias Peissner (Fraunhofer IAO), Professor Alexander Verl and Professor Marco Huber (both from the University of Stuttgart) and Rebecca C. Reisch (Managing Director of Cyber Valley GmbH) will also take part. From euRobotics, Dr. Bernd Liepert, President euRobotics, will join. Journalists from the daily, weekly and trade press can register free of charge for ERF.

Further information for interested parties, media representatives, potential sponsors, and exhibitors, as well as all program and registration details: www.erf2025.eu

Event co-organisers:

Cyber Valley

euRobotics 

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft

Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IAO

University of Stuttgart