New structure supporting AI robotics in Germany
In July 2026, the German Institute of Robotics (RIG) launched its first permanent Industrial Council - a new structure supporting the integration of scientific research with real-world 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 made it difficult to scale 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 underscores 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 the real needs of the industry.
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. Among the participants are also companies specializing in industrial robotics, such as Jungheinrich and SCHUNK, as well as software leaders such as SAP and Wandelbots.
Torsten Kröger of 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 initiated to conduct a deeper analysis of key topics. Their task is to develop specific recommendations that will guide RIG's further steps in cooperation with industry.
How does it differ from previous initiatives?
Enlarged imageClose zoomPrevious imagePreviously, cooperation between research and industry in Germany was often limited to pilot projects or conferences. The Industrial Council is the first structure that is intended 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 Council operates as a structural dialogue mechanism, which provides a constant and predictable platform for exchanging experiences between researchers and entrepreneurs. As a result, it not only accelerates technology transfer but also increases trust in innovation within the industrial environment.
Impact on industry and research development
For industry, the Council 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 Council allows for better alignment of research with real working conditions - which leads to the creation of technologies that are more robust, scalable and ready for commercialization.
Does this mean a massive deployment of AI robotics?
No. The Industrial Council is not an institution that implements technologies - it does not decide which companies will use them or when. Its role is to support dialogue and identify barriers. Deployments still depend on individual companies and their strategies.
However, if the Council shows that there is a lack of, for example, safety standards for AI robots in production environments, this may accelerate the creation of such standards - which in turn will open the way for wider deployment.
The Council does not decide on deployments, but creates conditions that enable their faster and more effective implementation. This is a key step towards building industrial AI robotics in Germany.