A new structure supporting AI robotics in Germany.
In July 2026, the German Robotics Institute (RIG) launched its first permanent Industrial Council - a new structure supporting the integration of scientific research with real industrial needs. It was created in response to the growing demand for faster technology transfer from laboratories to production lines. Previously, dialogue between researchers and companies was more ad hoc and informal, which hindered the scaling of innovations.
The establishment of the Council is intended to be permanent - not limited to a single project or conference. Its first meeting took place on July 14 at the DLR research center in Oberpfaffenhofen, which emphasizes the importance of institutionalizing cooperation. This is not just a symbolic step - it is the first time that the German research system has created a structural platform for continuous dialogue with industry.
The Industrial Council operates as a strategic institution supporting technological transformation. Its role is to identify barriers to technology transfer, support the development of joint projects and shape RIG's research strategies in accordance with real industrial needs.
What is the Industrial Council and how does it work?
The council consists of leaders from various sectors: from global corporations such as ABB, Bosch and Siemens to innovative start-ups and industrial associations. The participants also include companies specializing in industrial robotics, such as Jungheinrich or SCHUNK, as well as software leaders such as SAP or Wandelbots.
Torsten Kröger from Intrinsic serves as chairman. His role is to coordinate activities and ensure that the voices of different groups - from large companies to SMEs - are heard. The council is not created only for debates, but to draw concrete conclusions: identify barriers to technology transfer, support the development of joint projects and help shape RIG's research strategies.
During the first meeting, working groups were established to conduct in-depth analysis of key issues. Their task is to develop specific recommendations that will guide further steps taken by RIG in the area of cooperation with industry.
How does it differ from previous initiatives?
Enlarged imageClose zoomPrevious imagePreviously, collaboration between research and industry in Germany was often limited to pilot projects or conferences. The Industrial Advisory Board is the first structure designed to operate on a continuous and systematic basis. It is not just a discussion forum - it is a tool for shaping the future of robotics in the country.
Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it combines different perspectives: from production and logistics needs to safety and scalability requirements. This allows researchers to better understand real-world operating conditions in factories, and companies to assess the potential of new technologies in advance.
The Board operates as a structural dialogue mechanism, which provides a constant and predictable platform for exchanging experiences between researchers and entrepreneurs. As a result, not only is technology transfer accelerated, but also trust in innovation increases within the industrial environment.
Impact on industry and research development
For industry, the Board provides access to the latest advances in AI-based robotics. A company can now know in advance what technologies are in the testing phase and how they can be used in its processes. This accelerates innovation and reduces the risk of misguided investments.
For researchers, RIG receives a consistent picture of market needs - which means that their work can be more focused on real-world applications. This counteracts the situation where research is very advanced but has no possibility of implementation in industry.
Cooperation with the Board allows for better alignment of research with real working conditions - leading to the creation of technologies that are more robust, scalable and ready for commercialization.
Does this mean a widespread adoption of AI robotics?
No. The Industrial Advisory Board is not an implementing institution - it does not decide which companies will use them or when. Its role is to support dialogue and identify barriers. Implementation still depends on individual companies and their strategies.
However, if the Board shows that there is a lack of, for example, safety standards for AI robots in production environments, this may accelerate the development of such standards - which in turn will open the way for wider implementation.
The Board does not decide on implementations, but creates conditions that enable their faster and more effective execution. This is a key step towards building industrial AI robotics in Germany.