“Automatica, the leading international robotics trade fair, reveals who wants to set the tone – and what Germany can bring to the table.
Industrial trade fairs in Germany tempt demonstrations of determination, both strategic and entrepreneurial. This was already the case at the Hannover Messe in April, when this international gathering of the mechanical engineering and electrical industries reflected China's ambitions more clearly than ever before. It's no different at Automatica in Munich – which describes itself as the world's leading trade fair for robotics. Here, Estun Robotics, in particular, demonstrates its sense of grandeur. The impressive booth seems like a statement to many. But that wasn't even necessary: Estun now has its own production facility and several branches in Europe, and the Chinese recently established its new German headquarters in a former Bosch location. The ambition to play a leading role in the local and European markets was thus not only demonstrated in Munich. Nevertheless, Estun is more than just an exhibitor in Munich. The company is also a symbol that identifies with Top dogs like ABB from Switzerland, Fanuc from Japan, and Kuka from Germany.
The Chinese robot offensive affects an industry that is struggling with resistance. According to the German Mechanical Engineering Association (VDMA), total sales in the field of robotics and automation are expected to reach €14.5 billion this year – ten percent less than in 2024. This was already the case in 2017, and in each of the past two years, they have exceeded the €16 billion mark. The weak sales trend, which was already evident at the beginning of 2025, has been confirmed, the association says. Growth prospects are clouded in all sub-sectors – robotics, machine vision, and automation – until the end of the year. Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of the VDMA Robotics Association, states bluntly: "Things aren't going so well for the industry at the moment, with an expected decline of five percent in robotics – but Automatica should be a mood booster."
Especially since many things come together there that this should help answer a key question facing the industry: whether a kind of ChatGPT moment is imminent, a technological leap forward with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). "AI will revolutionize robot learning and the expansion of their capabilities – and at a rapid pace," says Schwarzkopf.
This affects robotics as a whole, but also its most exciting protagonists, who are currently considered a kind of premier league: the so-called humanoids, which have long been known from science fiction films, but more recently also in industrial applications. While a few years ago it was the so-called cobots, flexible small robots, that dominated Automatica, it is now models with arms, legs, and hands. They capture the imagination of engineers, companies, and investors like few others. It is said that humanoids are the acid test of what AI can and cannot achieve in robotics. Programming – always hard work and a complicated, expensive, and time-consuming hurdle in robotics – is the best example of this.
"The capabilities of humanoids are indeed "It's still limited," says Schwarzkopf, "and the gap to human capabilities is enormous. But there have been incredible advances and breakthroughs in this field recently. Especially in control and programming." There, it's now enough to show humanoids videos of movements or tasks so that they imitate them – or to feed them with data collected by sensors on human bodies.
Companies like Figure AI or Apptronik from the United States represent the ambition and new possibilities in the further development of humanoid robots. These are already being used in established industrial environments, for example, in the production of Mercedes-Benz – now also an investor in Apptronik. Such commitment is overshadowed by Elon Musk, who long ago discovered humanoids as helpers in his core business, Tesla, and views them as a separate business model alongside electric cars and space technology. Humanoids are unlikely to displace traditional industrial robots, thousands of which are used in various industries, nor will cobots – but they will broaden the product ranges of robot manufacturers.
And possibly facilitate their access to small and medium-sized businesses. Once programming and operation are no longer rocket science, small and medium-sized enterprises could also become target groups for this.. The potential is huge, they say.
In an optimistic scenario, small businesses could develop their products even without specialist expertise of robots and have them work through the night to deliver the finished products to their customers in the morning. This could be achieved in small batches and unaffected by the general labor shortage. That would be the democratization of robotics that the industry is so enthusiastic about.
The question is, what role Germany will play in this brave new world of robotics? The research landscape here is considered exemplary. Munich is a robotics cluster of international stature, not only as a trade fair and university location, but also as the home of up-and-coming young companies like Agile Robots, which soon expects to generate more than one billion euros in revenue with cobots. This includes the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space with more than a dozen universities, research institutes, and companies.
Among German robot manufacturers and at Automatica, Kuka from Augsburg has always been the benchmark, the flagship of the entire country. But next to innovative newcomers like Agile Robots or Neura from Metzingen, considered Germany's greatest hope for humanoids, Kuka now seems downright outdated. Sales have plummeted well below four billion euros, profits and workforce are also shrinking, and Peter Mohnen, the next CEO, is leaving these days – like his predecessor Till Reuter, supposedly because of the strategy of Chinese owner Midea, which is trimming Kuka for profitability after the takeover in 2016 – which, according to its biggest critics, is bleeding Kuka dry. It's the counter-story to the general spirit of optimism in robotics in this country.” [1]
German Kuka is cooked. Is Germany going down the drain in robotics race?
Germany, a historical powerhouse in industrial automation, is facing challenges in the global robotics race, particularly regarding competitiveness and market share.
Declining sales and competitiveness: The German robotics and automation industry experienced a significant drop in turnover in 2024 and forecasts a further decline in 2025. Experts cite over-reliance on the automotive industry and weaknesses in competitiveness as contributing factors, according to Automation.com. German suppliers face increasing competition from Asian, especially Chinese, rivals who are expanding into the European market.
Intense competition: China has surpassed Germany in terms of industrial robot density, ranking third globally in 2023, with South Korea leading and Singapore ranking second. This highlights the challenges Germany faces in maintaining its position amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Structural challenges: Germany grapples with structural issues affecting the processing industry, including slowing domestic demand and high cost pressure. The high initial cost of robotics technology and a shortage of skilled labor further complicate the integration and maintenance of advanced robotic systems, according to a December 2024 report by MarketsandMarkets. Economic uncertainties and regulatory hurdles also add to the complexity.
Opportunities and initiatives: Despite the challenges, Germany boasts a robust ecosystem for robotics, with strong academic infrastructure, government R&D support, and initiatives like Industrie 4.0. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) highlights the country's strengths in engineering tradition, technological leadership, and the high adoption rate of industrial robots in Europe. The rise of AI and machine learning, collaborative robots (cobots), and humanoid robots present potential avenues for future growth, according to a LinkedIn article. Additionally, the shortage of skilled workers is prompting businesses to explore automation and robotics as a solution to maintain efficiency and competitiveness, according to Reuters.
Strategic actions needed: Experts suggest that Germany needs to accelerate innovation, enhance agility in responding to customer demands, and reduce costs to improve its competitiveness in the global market. The "VDMA Robotics Action Plan for Europe" proposes increased venture capital for startups, a roadmap for competitiveness, and a focus on scaling up European innovation, according to Business Wire.
Germany’s elite’s hope to block Russian friendship with Ukraine by refusing to buy cheap Russian energy lead to de-industrialization in Germany. All industrial ecosystem there is disappearing. The perspectives of German robotics therefore are bleak.
1. Chinesische Roboteroffensive in München. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 24 June 2025: 21. Von Uwe Marx, Frankfurt
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