Smart Robots Show Off Their Skills

AI-Powered Robotics in Europe Smart Robots Show Off Their Skills

2026-09-03 Source: Press Release | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

On September 2, 2026, fifteen advanced AI-based robots demonstrated at the European Parliament in Brussels how European researchers are preparing robotics for a new era.

AI-based robotics has the potential to develop into an industry in Europe over the next ten to fifteen years that rivals today’s automotive industry in size and importance. Here, you can see how the DLR robot Rollin’ Justin independently performs an everyday task and waters a houseplant.(Image: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)) — AI-based robotics has the potential to develop into an industry in Europe over the next ten to fifteen years that rivals today’s automotive industry in size and importance. Here, you can see how the DLR robot Rollin’ Justin independently performs an everyday task and waters a houseplant.
(Image: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0))

The discussion focused on measures to develop AI-based robotics into an industrial sector in Europe over the next ten to fifteen years that would match the size and significance of today’s automotive industry. Advances in artificial intelligence are enabling robots to perceive, learn, and act in increasingly complex physical environments. Robotics is thus evolving from a specialized industrial market into a mass market that has the potential to rival the automotive, computer, and telecommunications industries in terms of scale and economic significance.

15 Humanoid Robots, Three Scenarios

A total of 15 robotic systems were used to demonstrate three thematic scenarios of particular economic and social relevance:

The Franka dual-arm robotic cell is trained to use various tools and perform different tasks in an industrial setting. Here, the cell demonstrates its skillful cable routing during wire harness assembly. To further develop its capabilities, the system uses digital twin simulations. The robotic cell is being developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), and the University of Bremen.(Source: DLR) — The Franka dual-arm robotic cell is trained to use various tools and perform different tasks in an industrial setting. Here, the cell demonstrates its skillful cable routing during wire harness assembly. To further develop its capabilities, the system uses digital twin simulations. The robotic cell is being developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), and the University of Bremen.
(Source: DLR)

Robot-Assisted Disassembly of Laptops and Robot Vacuum Cleaners: In the scenario “Robot-Assisted Manufacturing for a Circular Economy,” five different teams presented application examples in manufacturing and resource efficiency: technologies for refurbishing and disassembling laptops, for dismantling a robotic vacuum cleaner, for advanced robotic manipulation, for a mobile disassembly system, and for a virtual building environment.

Researchers in the euROBIN network are working to ensure that different robots will be able to collaborate in the future. In the collaborative task of “clearing the breakfast table,” a total of four different robots each act independently while “taking into account” the other robots.(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)) — Researchers in the euROBIN network are working to ensure that different robots will be able to collaborate in the future. In the collaborative task of “clearing the breakfast table,” a total of four different robots each act independently while “taking into account” the other robots.
(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0))

Robotic household helpers clear the breakfast table: “Personal robots for a better quality of life and well-being” demonstrated how they assist people in everyday settings. As kitchen assistants, a total of four systems demonstrated their capabilities in the areas of human-robot interaction, manipulation, and autonomous assistance—one of which was the DLR’s humanoid robot “Rollin’ Justin.”

The ARMAR-7 robot from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) carefully picks up a plate to load it into the dishwasher. In particular, it is equipped with a cognitive architecture that includes episodic memory, allowing it to store, retrieve, and share its experiences.(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)) — The ARMAR-7 robot from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) carefully picks up a plate to load it into the dishwasher. In particular, it is equipped with a cognitive architecture that includes episodic memory, allowing it to store, retrieve, and share its experiences.
(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0))

The four robots operated autonomously and worked together collaboratively to clear a breakfast table: They independently identified the various items scattered randomly across the table, handled plates just as delicately as the cereal box, safely placed everything in the dishwasher, cabinet, and refrigerator, and disposed of the trash.

The European robotics network euROBIN used its technology demonstration to highlight application scenarios of particular economic and social relevance. Here, the KYON robot from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IT) demonstrates autonomous package delivery. It is capable of carrying 15 kilograms with its arms and 30 kilograms on its body.(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)) — The European robotics network euROBIN used its technology demonstration to highlight application scenarios of particular economic and social relevance. Here, the KYON robot from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IT) demonstrates autonomous package delivery. It is capable of carrying 15 kilograms with its arms and 30 kilograms on its body.
(Source: DLR (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0))

Package Delivery with Robots: In the “Outdoor Robots for Sustainable Communities” setting, various robot technologies for outdoor applications and logistics were put to use. The development teams demonstrated autonomous package delivery using agile robots such as a centaur robot, a four-legged robot on wheels, and a drone equipped with arms. They presented systems designed for use in challenging outdoor environments.

The Transformer robot developed by ETH Zurich is particularly agile, allowing it to perform tasks in challenging environments. It can move in various ways, switching between a total of 42 different configurations.(Source: DLR) — The Transformer robot developed by ETH Zurich is particularly agile, allowing it to perform tasks in challenging environments. It can move in various ways, switching between a total of 42 different configurations.
(Source: DLR)

An additional exhibition featuring demonstrations of leg-based humanoid robots by industry partners highlighted Europe’s expertise in this field as well. euROBIN brings together Europe’s leading robotics and AI research laboratories. Under the leadership of the DLR, the network of excellence showcased the breadth of the European robotics ecosystem in Brussels.

Europe Can Do Robotics

Europe has spent decades building an exceptional scientific and technological foundation in robotics. “The challenge now is to translate this strength into industrial-scale production, widespread deployment, and European technological sovereignty. AI-based robotics allows us to combine European excellence in robotics with the extraordinary advances that have taken place in the field of AI in recent years,” explains Prof. Alin Albu-Schäffer, Director of the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and coordinator of euROBIN.

The live demonstration and closed-door roundtable discussion with leading figures from politics, industry, and research therefore also provided impetus for setting the course for the future. Axel Voss, Member of the European Parliament and host of the euROBIN demonstration at the European Parliament, affirmed: “Europe is capable of robotics—we’re demonstrating that impressively here. Now we must ensure that Europe’s cutting-edge research also produces European market leaders. If AI and robotics are shaping the next major industrial revolution, we cannot allow a repeat of the situation where the key technologies are developed here but commercialized elsewhere. We need fewer barriers, faster progress, and better conditions for investment and scaling.”

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