European AI Robotics Shows Its Strength Against Chinese and U.S. Competition

Fifteen of the world’s most advanced AI-powered robots gathered at the European Parliament on Wednesday, where Europe’s robotics sector sought to assert itself against competition from China and the United States. The demonstrations included humanoid and quadruped robots as well as drones.

Up to 170 representatives from the robotics industry and research community took part in the event organized by the European Network of Excellence in Robotics, euROBIN. The machines navigated obstacles without falling, lifted and delivered packages, and helped clear a breakfast table.

The discussion focused on how Europe can turn AI-powered robotics into a major industry comparable in scale and importance to the automotive, computing and telecommunications sectors. Axel Voss, a member of the European Parliament and euROBIN’s host for the event, said the demonstrations showed that Europe “is capable of developing robotics.” He called for European research to produce companies that can lead globally.

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is capable of developing robotics

“If AI and robotics are destined to define the next great industrial revolution, we must not allow a repeat of the situation in which key technologies are developed here but commercialized elsewhere. We need fewer barriers, greater dynamism and better conditions for investment and expansion,” Voss said.

The euROBIN network said Europe remains a global leader in robotics research and continues to outperform the United States and Asia in several areas. It said AI is pushing the global robotics race into a new phase, allowing robots to perceive, learn and act in increasingly complex physical environments. The network brings together 31 partner organizations from 14 countries and 26 European cities, with funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program.

A Spanish project on display was an autonomous delivery drone developed by the Robotics, Vision and Control Group at the University of Seville. The drone can operate inside buildings and deliver packages through a recipient’s window, helping people with mobility difficulties. Alejandro Suárez, a university professor and researcher, described European robotics as a leader in science, experience and technology, but called for more EU funding to compete with China and the United States.

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If AI and robotics are destined to define the next great industrial revolution, we must not allow a repeat of the situation in which key technologies are developed here but commercialized elsewhere. We need fewer barriers, greater dynamism and better conditions for investment and expansion.