
Europe is at present essentially the most automated area on the earth, in keeping with the IFR. | Supply: Stäubli
In the present day, VDMA Robotics + Automation issued a name to motion to stem the lack of international competitiveness in European economies in robotics and automation. The networking group for the European robotics trade issued a “Robotics Motion Plan for Europe” addressed to policymakers throughout Europe, together with nationwide governments and European Union establishments.
“Europe’s industries are falling behind in worldwide competitiveness and urgently must catch up,” says Dr. Dietmar Ley, Chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation. “China, for instance, has persistently shifted its focus to superior expertise and high-value manufacturing. The nation’s drive for automation has seen its robotic density double in 4 years to 470 robots per 10,000 staff. That is twice the European Union determine of simply 219. Robotics and automation is the important thing enabling expertise for the longer term development of economies by growing productiveness, driving innovation, and creating new alternatives.”
In accordance with the Worldwide Federation of Robotics (IFR), the EU has a robotic density of 219 models per 10,000 staff. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Slovenia are all on the earth’s prime ten. Which means, by area, the EU has the best robotic density, it’s additionally elevated 5.2% from 2022.
Germany is Europe’s most automated nation, with 429 robots per 10,000 staff. This places the nation fourth worldwide, in keeping with the IFR, nonetheless lagging behind Korea, Singapore, and China.
Contained in the VDMA’s suggestions

Within the ten years from 2013 to 2023, the European share of annual industrial robotic installations dropped from 24% to 17%. | Supply: IFR
The VDMA laid out 4 key suggestions for EU policymakers. First, the group mentioned Europe wants a robotics increase. The continent is more and more challenged by aggressive industrial insurance policies in different international locations – akin to the USA’ America First agenda and China’s 5-Yr-Plan for Robotics.
A robotics increase, VDMA mentioned, will allow Europe to revamp competitiveness, safeguard its sovereignty, counteract demographic decline, and efficiently handle the transition to carbon neutrality.
Second, the VDMA is asking for extra enterprise capital for Europe’s startups. The group mentioned the EU must mobilize urgently wanted extra enterprise capital. It might do that by updating the regulatory framework for institutional buyers. For instance, France’s Tibi Initiative has proven how capital could be efficiently put to work for innovation – Europe ought to comply with.
Third, the EU ought to arrange a contest roadmap. This roadmap would permit it to benchmark Europe’s progress in robotics and AI in opposition to developments in Asia and North America and create concrete nationwide and European-wide expertise roadmaps.
Lastly, the VDMA encourages the EU to concentrate on economies of scale. Europe boasts an enchanting analysis and innovation panorama and nice concepts are continually born. Nonetheless, success should finally be measured in bringing concepts to market at scale.
“We have now no time to lose: Our new technique paper is a name to policymakers throughout Europe to set the course on tips on how to use robotics and automation to make Europe extra aggressive and resilient. Allow us to get to work now,” mentioned Dr. Dietmar Ley.