EUROP

the EUropean RObotics Platform

EUROP is Europe's initiative in robotics research that addresses three big application domains: Industrial robot systems, service robots and Space and Security robots. EUROP brings together all the main European robotics stakeholders with the aim of formulating and implementing a consolidated European robotics strategy. [CORDIS/IST site].

A consolidated European strategy in robotics is a prerequisite for preparing a new generation of robots that will closely collaborate with workers and move out of the factory to conquer a new wave of novel service, security and space application markets.

As industrial, service and security/space robotics increasingly share the same research challenges and agendas, such an initiative would aim to maintain Europe's leadership in industrial robotics and expand it into the burgeoning service and security markets. It would also aim to ensure increased public and personal security levels as well as new levels of quality of life by providing technologies required to enable society to address challenges in terms of ageing and well-being.

Robotics is a technology at the cusp. Robotics is now at a decision point where its scope is dramatically expanding. 21st century robot machines will be used in all areas of modern life in the form of surgical devices, machines to explore space and conduct hazardous tasks on earth, robot assistants in the home or work place and the most exciting toys and entertainment devices child-kind has ever seen!

The major challenge for the 21st century is to develop robotic systems that can sense and interact with the human world in useful ways. This will result in robot technologies being embedded in literally thousands of future products, each one having huge commercial potential. Future robot systems will affect a broad range of social and economic activities. They will transform everyday life as well as industrial processes and result in a step change of similar impact to Internet technologies at the end of the 20th century.

Top executives from some 50 leading robotic industrial and research organisations have proposed and strongly endorse the need for a European Technology Platform in Robotics - EUROP (European Robotics Platform). The ambition of EUROP is to unite all the main European industrial and academic robotics stakeholders and public authorities around the EUROP Vision, where industrially relevant research goals, priorities and action plans on strategically important issues can be agreed and relevant actions implemented.

There are 3 domains for robotics :

• Industrial Robots to achieve high-quality and cost-effective flexible manufacturing and logistics in all major industrial branches.
• Service robots to be found in all domains of our life: in domestic and leisure environments, in health and rehabilitation, in professional services and in hazardous environments.
• Security and Space robots concerned with the use of robots in land, sea, subsea, air, space and crisis or civil security management missions.

The Vision of EUROP, the European Technology Platform in Robotics:

"A consolidated European strategy in robotics is a requisite for preparing a new generation of robots that will closely collaborate with workers and move out of the factory to conquer a new wave of novel service, security and space application markets. As industrial, service and security/space robotics increasingly share the same research challenges and agendas, such an initiative would aim to maintain Europe's leadership in industrial robotics and expand it into the burgeoning service and security markets. It would also aim to ensure increased public and personal security levels as well as new levels of quality of life by providing technologies required to enable society to address challenges in terms of ageing and well-being."

Europe is still in the fortunate situation that an innovative driven and export-oriented robot industry has established itself during the last 25 years. Furthermore first product opportunities regarding service robots have been taken up mostly by start-ups. Currently it is estimated that some 250 universities and research institutes offer education and research in robotics thus creating an unparalleled basis in qualification and knowledge. Robotic networks such as EURON and professional organizations (EUnited Robotics) significantly contribute to improve the coordination of European research and innovation-related activities.

There is a wide consensus within robotics research and industry on future challenges regarding robotics research and on economic opportunities which is reflected by a solid statistical framework, White Papers and roadmaps. However, international efforts towards large robotics R&D initiatives, starting up robotics industries and preparing markets for robotic products are underway, particularly by Korea, Japan, and the US. These initiatives address similar opportunities and socio-economic challenges so that there is an additional need for a European initiative should be formulated and implemented.

The first meeting of a high-level group of robotics research and industries took place at the presentation at the UN/ECE in October 2004, followed by an intense workshop of the Robotics Action Group to develop a vision and a strategy towards a Robotics platform for Europe. The report of this meeting (pdf from Nov 2004) is the interim result of their deliberations.

The expected outcome of the EUROP initiative is to reinforce the European position as a leading player in the design, integration and delivery of robotic systems for manufacturing and service applications. The EUROP initiative will pursue the key objectives of:

• Definition of a joint industrial vision and strategic agenda to implement this vision. Such an effort will benefit the involved industries in terms of continued economic growth and it will assist society at large in addressing the Lisbon objectives;
• Establishment of a coordination and integration framework in which industry, research institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders across the ERA join forces for implementation of the strategic agenda.

EUROP is a public-private partnership that will address the major challenges faced by European industry in providing robotic systems for an increased economic growth and for service applications that assist regular citizens to ensure an increased quality of life. The effort will build on the basis provided by the on-going European (IST & NMP) and national programmes. It is important to realize that the EUROP initiave is not yet another coordination effort, or merely a consultation body. It is is a strategic partnership to ensure European leadership in established and emerging application domains.