Formal Aims

Potential Impact

Both the USA and Japan are considered leaders in robotics; while the same cannot be said about Europe. However, Europe is the de-facto leader in (industrial) robotics. This has significantly influenced R&D spendings in Europe. It is not unusual for EU companies to invest in research at MIT and Stanford, entirely on the basis of reputation, yet a review of R&D results clearly demonstrates that EU researchers are equally innovative. For emerging areas such as service robotics it is also characteristic that some of the initial products, such as autonomous vacuum cleaners, came from European companies.

There is a need to consider how R&D in Europe can be utilized for the foundation of a new generation of robotics-related companies, and how such efforts can be coordinated with activities to generate new economic growth. In doing this, the general competence of the European robotics community must be made more evident so that eventually it will be recognized as on a par with or beyond efforts elsewhere. Furthermore, there was a need to ensure that the relatively limited investment by the EU in Beyond Robotics could be integrated with national efforts so as to ensure a synergistic multiplier effect. Finally, EURON will ensure that novel ideas, that might generate major innovations, are picked up. The impact is thus expected to be:

• Making EU the leading R&D region on robotics
• Building the required infrastructure to support the emergence of a new industrial sector (human augmentation and service robotics)
• Providing the best human resources for commercial exploitation and continued development of European robotics research.

Risk assessment

The EURON effort carries a minimum of risk as the focus of the network is broad brush. It will attempt to integrate a broad community. The risk might of course be a lack of focus. The tight coupling to the three integrated projects previously sponsored by the CEC in the area of Beyond Robotics does, however, give a clear initial direction to the many diverse activities in EURON. Furthermore, there is already a strong interest from the community. Consequently risk is considered minimum.

Further information on:

• Objectives,
• Contribution to standards and policy development,
• Potential impact and risk,
• Communication strategy.