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European Robotics Forum 2025

The European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2025 marked a significant milestone for the European robotics and AI community: For the first time in its 15-year history, the renowned event took place in Germany. From March 25 to 27, 2025, the Liederhalle Cultural and Congress Center in Stuttgart was transformed into a vibrant meeting place for over 1,500 international participants from science, industry, and politics.

Baden-Württemberg is considered one of Europe's leading regions in the field of robotics and automation. With a strong industrial base, world-renowned companies, and excellent research, the state plays a central role in the development of innovative robotics solutions. Ideal conditions, therefore, to host the most important meeting of European robotics. Thus, the European Robotics Forum 2025, under the motto "Boosting the Synergies between Robotics and AI for a Stronger Europe", offered a special platform to bring together research and industry, present and discuss the latest innovations at the interface of robotics and artificial intelligence, and help shape future technological developments. A broad program with more than 55 workshops, high-profile keynotes, prominent guests, excursions, and exclusive insights behind the scenes of robotics research, as well as an extensive and sold-out exhibition with over 75 sponsors and exhibitors, underscored the forum's uniqueness with record participation in the European robotics community.

Innovative and Pioneering Spirit in Stuttgart as a Center for Science and Business

The choice of Stuttgart as the venue underscores the region's importance for the fields of robotics and AI. "It was a unique opportunity for Stuttgart to host the European Robotics Forum 2025. As a hotspot for robotics and artificial intelligence, the city is proud to contribute to the further development of this field," emphasized Dr. Frank Nopper, Mayor of Stuttgart. With leading research institutions such as the University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer Society with its IPA and IAO institutes, and Cyber ​​Valley, Europe's largest and leading center for excellence in AI and modern robotics, the city offers an ideal environment for exchange between research and industry. Werner Kraus, Head of the "Automation and Robotics" research department at Fraunhofer IPA and General Chair of the "European Robotics Forum," emphasized: "The ERF was a fantastic collaborative effort involving numerous partners from academia, industry, and local and regional institutions. We deliberately did not implement the ERF as the sole local partner, but involved other important partners: Fraunhofer IAO, Cyber ​​Valley, and the University of Stuttgart. They were able to contribute various program elements to the event, such as the program for the interested public. We also received significant support as co-organizers from the City of Stuttgart, the Economic Development Agency, and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs." The participating partners thus provided the ideal local community and definitively established Stuttgart as an outstanding meeting place for international experts from industry and science.

Stuttgart's unique and diverse event infrastructure is impressive

The determined collaboration of these local stakeholders with the Liederhalle Cultural and Convention Center and the Stuttgart Convention Bureau, with the shared goal of bringing the flagship event of euRobotics, the European Robotics Association, to Stuttgart with a convincing bid, also made it possible to host a successful forum. The choice of the venue played a key role in this. Dr. Werner Kraus explains: "For an event of this magnitude, there weren't many suitable locations in Stuttgart that met the needs [...] of the project. The venue had to accommodate an exhibition in the style of a trade fair and offer space for all participants at once, as well as for various parallel workshops. The Liederhalle was a perfect fit and made everything technically possible. Its location in the heart of the city was also an important criterion, so that guests could also experience city life. [...] We are particularly grateful for the consistently professional and constructive collaboration with the Liederhalle team. We felt very comfortable both during the preparation and during the ERF." Participants and speakers benefited from the Liederhalle's direct connection to the Maritim Hotel Stuttgart and other nearby hotels, as well as short distances from Stuttgart Central Station and Airport. The networking dinner in the hotel's historic "Alte Stuttgarter Reithalle" dating from 1885, combined history and the future.

A program for everyone – Stuttgart's public involved in the concept

The event also skillfully combined its specialist program, consisting of numerous event formats, with offerings for the interested public. For example, the "Public Engagement Program" launched one day before the official start of the forum. A special highlight, for which interested parties, even those without robotics knowledge, could register free of charge to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of robotics in advance. This low-threshold offering enjoyed broad approval among Stuttgart residents, which was clearly reflected in the number of participants in the Public Engagement Day. Under the motto "Living and Working with Robots: Experience. Understand. Create", participants were invited to engage with experts during interactive tours, workshops, and panel discussions, discover cutting-edge technologies, and thus gain insight into the future of robotics in everyday life and at work – a valuable social exchange to highlight potential and minimize reservations.

Taking giant steps towards the future

The successful hosting of the ERF 2025 in Stuttgart not only strengthened Germany's position in the European robotics sector, but also provided new impetus for innovation and collaboration. A success that Baden-Württemberg now intends to continue and build upon: The position paper "Intelligent Robotics of the Future" was presented to the public for the first time as part of the ERF. Published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism and the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts, the position paper pursues a clear vision: Baden-Württemberg should be the leading innovation region for intelligent human-robotic systems by 2035. "In these economically difficult times, it is crucial that the region is perceived as one of the most important robotics locations in Europe, thereby massively strengthening the economy in this sector," emphasizes Dr. Werner Kraus. The foundation for this has long been laid, as the European Robotics Forum 2025 impressively demonstrated. Stuttgart and the Baden-Württemberg region are already playing a leading role in shaping the future of robotics and artificial intelligence in Europe.