Germany's robot boom: Robotics and automation in various industries – A comprehensive overview

### That's why Germany is among the world leaders ### More than just industry: Cooking, caring, and bricklaying robots on the rise ### Robots that speak our language: This technology will soon change your everyday life ### Germany's secret helpers: How robots combat the shortage of skilled workers and secure our future ###

How is robotics and automation developing in Germany?

Robotics and automation are experiencing a remarkable upswing in Germany. German industry installed more robots in 2023 than ever before – a total of 28,355 new industrial robots, an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year. The operational stock reached a new record high of 269,427 units, cementing Germany's position as the largest robot market in Europe.

The robot density in Germany is 415 industrial robots per 10,000 employees, ranking third internationally – only South Korea and Singapore rank higher. These figures demonstrate the high level of automation in the German economy and its pioneering role in Europe.

Revenue in the German robotics market is forecast to reach approximately $4.5 billion by 2025. Service robotics dominates the market with the largest projected market volume. Demand for automation solutions is continuously increasing in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, not least due to demographic change and the resulting shortage of skilled workers.

What role does robotics play in the logistics industry?

The logistics industry is facing fundamental change through the use of robotics and AI technologies. In the coming years, the industry will experience a paradigm shift driven by advanced robotics and automation. Key developments focus on autonomous mobile robots (AMR), AI-driven inventory management, automated sorting and packing, and robotic process automation.

Leading companies like Sereact are developing AI-based robots specifically for logistics tasks. Sereact has developed "PickGPT," the world's first robotics transformer that combines large language models with computer vision, enabling robots to be instructed using natural language. This technology makes robotics accessible to employees with no prior knowledge and is revolutionizing human-robot interaction in warehouses.

A practical example is the collaboration between Hörmann Intralogistics and Sereact: Through the targeted use of AI-based robotics solutions, the AutoStore portfolio is expanded and the efficiency of intralogistics projects is increased. The solution enables zero-shot learning, allowing picking robots to recognize and grasp new objects without prior programming.

Companies like Knapp are presenting the AeroBot, a warehouse robotics system specifically designed for standard building heights, offering the highest storage density with maximum flexibility. Autonomous mobile robots, known as Open Shuttles, seamlessly connect warehouse systems with workstations and production lines.

How is robotics changing the food industry?

The food industry is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to robotics. Foodora, originally known as a delivery service, is now increasingly embracing robotics in retail and testing innovative delivery models. The company is experimenting with delivery robots from Starship and drones from Aviant in Scandinavia, which offer great potential for sustainable, urban micrologistics.

A particularly impressive example is the development of cooking robots. Companies like Aitme, founded by former Foodora CEO Emanuel Pallua, are developing robots that can cook lunch dishes in under five minutes. These robots consist of two robotic arms that mix ingredients and heat them in pans, and can prepare up to 120 dishes per hour.

Goodbites robot chefs are already working at Tübingen University Hospital, capable of preparing up to 3,000 meals a day – theoretically around the clock. These systems can reduce labor costs by up to 80 percent and offer continuous availability without vacation or sick days.

Automation also extends to agriculture: The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) has developed the harvesting robot SHIVAA, which autonomously detects and picks ripe strawberries in open-field crops. The robot can harvest approximately 15 kilograms of fruit per hour and operate for at least eight hours at a time.

What progress has been made in robotics in construction?

The construction industry is experiencing a technological breakthrough thanks to innovative robotic solutions. Of particular note is the development of cable-operated robots for masonry work. A revolutionary cable-operated robot has been developed at the University of Duisburg-Essen that will be able to autonomously perform extensive masonry work in the future. This robot can independently overcome height differences across multiple floors and offers a completely new approach to construction site automation.

The cable-operated robot can not only lay bricks, but also move blocks of various sizes, install lintels, and perform automatic mortaring. Its work is based on Building Information Modeling (BIM), whose digital data is transmitted directly to the robot. This enables seamless integration of planning and execution.

At TUM Munich, researchers are working on robots that can collaborate directly with humans on construction sites. These robots are equipped with grippers and mounted on mobile bases that can move freely. They bring precision to places where humans reach their limits, complementing their skills rather than replacing them.

This development shows that robots in construction not only take over the physically demanding work, but can also help to inspire young people to work in the construction industry and counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

How do social robots support people with disabilities?

Social robots are becoming important assistive technologies for people with disabilities. A project at Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences is researching how assistive robots can help people with physical disabilities in their daily lives. The robot "Kate" is designed to assist with simple everyday tasks, such as retrieving books from the shelf, clearing the table, or making coffee.

The cobot Sawyer is being used in an innovative project by Wertkreis Gütersloh gGmbH, Rethink Robotics, and the University of Duisburg-Essen to provide people with disabilities with better opportunities for inclusion, education, and participation. These collaborative robots can perform quality control directly at the workplace and handle automated processing of production peaks.

Particularly noteworthy is the social robot Navel from Navel Robotics, which was developed specifically for care. This empathetic robot can recognize and send nonverbal signals, which are essential for interpersonal interaction. In care facilities, Navel provides additional emotional and cognitive activation and supports social care.

The concept of social robotics goes far beyond mere functionality: These robots are intended to act as "butlers," taking on tasks as needed without being intrusive. They can recognize emotions and respond accordingly, making them valuable helpers in the social sphere.

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What developments are there in space research?

German space research is increasingly relying on autonomous robot swarms for Mars exploration. The German Space Agency's VaMEx (Valles Marineris Explorer) project is developing the world's first autonomous robot swarm for Mars exploration. The goal is to search for water and possibly life in the solar system's largest canyon.

The robot swarm consists of various specialized units: drones map landscapes, ground vehicles like Artemis explore points of interest, the climbing robot Crex takes on difficult passages, and the transport rover Janus is particularly fast and robust. These robots communicate with each other via a planned 5G network on Mars.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is also testing the Scout Rover, a robot designed to move autonomously through caves. These caves could contain evidence of life because they are protected from environmental influences and offer more moderate temperatures.

The developed technologies also have terrestrial applications: After earthquakes, autonomous robots could independently explore dangerous areas, search through debris, and locate buried victims. A plan for a European or German Mars mission is expected to be completed by 2030, with a possible launch around 2040.

How is robotics revolutionizing healthcare?

Healthcare is facing a robotic revolution, especially in geriatric care. Professor Sami Haddadin of the Technical University of Munich is developing the service robot GARMI, which is designed to enable older people to live independently for longer. This robot combines butler functions with communication capabilities and telemedicine.

GARMI can help with getting up, prepare small meals, and act as an interface with the outside world. The robot is equipped with ultralight, sensitive, and adaptive grippers. In the event of unwanted contact, the arm stops moving within a thousandth of a second – significantly faster than human reactions.

Another innovative example is the E-BAR (Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot) from MIT, which acts as a mobile guide to assist elderly people with walking and standing. The robot can support a person's full body weight and is equipped with airbags that inflate when a fall is imminent.

Social robots like LOVOT from Japan demonstrate how technology can provide emotional support. These "emotion devices" are warm, soft, responsive to touch, and seek eye contact to evoke positive emotions and encourage social interaction.

What role does automation play in machining?

Machining production is experiencing a significant increase in efficiency thanks to high-precision machining robots. The research project "Robots Made in Lower Saxony 2" (RoMaNi 2) developed a high-precision machining robot with a special drive train. This robot enables the machining of not only lightweight materials but also metals and steels with a manufacturing tolerance of up to 0.1 millimeters.

FANUC, the world's leading robot manufacturer with over 100 models, offers solutions for a wide range of manufacturing applications. The ROBODRILL high-performance machining centers achieve tool change times of just 0.7 seconds and can handle tools weighing up to 4 kilograms.

German companies like Niederrhein Automation offer flexible automation solutions with cobots suitable for companies of all sizes. These collaborative robots can work alongside employees without a protective fence and can be used for a wide range of tasks such as assembly, welding, pick & place, palletizing, and machine tending.

Automation in manufacturing is being further advanced through the use of AI and machine learning. Humanoid robots are expected to be able to automate approximately 40 percent of previously manual tasks by 2030, with payback periods of less than 0.56 years.

What economic impact does robotics have in Germany?

The German robotics and automation industry faces challenges, but also significant opportunities. Total revenue is expected to reach €14.5 billion in 2025, a 10 percent decline compared to the previous year. This decline is attributable to several factors: investment reluctance due to geopolitical uncertainties, increasing competitive pressure from Asia, and dependence on the German automotive industry.

Despite current weaknesses, long-term trends show positive trends. Germany produced a total of 34,788 industrial robots in 2023, achieving a market share of 6 percent of global demand. The market is comprised of manufacturers of traditional high-performance robots and newer providers of more cost-effective low-cost robots.

The top 50 robot manufacturers in Germany demonstrate a dynamic structure: Global players such as Bosch Rexroth, Linde Material Handling, Jungheinrich, and KUKA lead the ranking. Attractive application areas are emerging for suppliers of electronics, sensors, and software, as modern robots require extensive technical components.

The robot density in Germany is 415 units per 10,000 employees, placing the country third internationally behind South Korea and Singapore. This high level of automation is crucial for the competitiveness of Germany as a high-wage country.

What future prospects does robotics offer?

The future of robotics in Germany is characterized by innovation and technological progress. German startups like Wandelbots are working on manufacturer-independent robot operating systems that aim to advance the "democratization of robotics." The Nova operating system is designed to enable the programming and control of robots from various manufacturers without specific specialist knowledge.

Companies like Munich-based Robco specialize in modular robotics for SMEs and raised €39 million in a Series B financing round in 2024. These developments demonstrate that the German robotics startup scene remains innovative and dynamic despite changing market conditions.

The integration of artificial intelligence will further revolutionize robotics. AI algorithms enable robots to make independent decisions, recognize patterns, and adapt to new situations through self-learning. This opens up entirely new application possibilities in all industries.

In the future, 5G connectivity will enable machines to communicate with each other in real time, further increasing the level of automation in the economy. Collaborative robotics, in which robots can respond flexibly to unpredictable and complex requirements, will become the norm.

By 2030, 20 million humanoid robots are expected to be in use, primarily in industrial applications. This development will not only increase efficiency but also create new jobs in the robotics industry and enhance the quality of existing activities.

German robotics is thus facing a transformation that will affect all areas of life – from manufacturing and healthcare to space exploration. The key to success lies in the intelligent combination of human creativity and robotic precision.

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