World Robotics R&D Program

Over US$ 1 billion of robotics R&D funding globally
Huge per country differences
Focus on Smart manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and agri-food
AI, Big Data and 5G as technology drivers

Research and Development (R&D) of new robot technologies has become more important than ever before. Most countries invest in robotics – mainly at government level. This trend has been strengthened in recent years. Through diversification and the establishment of robot technologies, investment in new robot technologies has become larger than before, and the application spectrum of such R&D on robotics is now broader. New drivers such as artificial intelligence, Big Data and 5G will drive governments from Asia, Europe and America to further invest in robotics.
The targets of the officially driven government research funding programs are summarized for the first time by the International Federations of Robotics in its paper “World Robotics R&D Programs”. In the meantime, an update has been published.

What you will find...

In-depth information about the successful programs of 8 regions

China’s Made in China 2025’, Development Plan of the Robot Industry (2016-2020) & Key Special Program on Intelligent Robots
Japan's New Robot Strategy
Korea's Basic Plan on Intelligent Robots
EU's Horizon 2020 Robotics Workprogram

Germany’s Development of Digital Technologies
Italy’s Governmental Robotics R&D Programs
Sweden’s Robotdalen & Framework Grants for Research on Smart Systems
United States’ National Robotics Initiative, DoD Unmanned System & Robotics Program & Mars 2020 Exploration Program

Executive Summary Download full report

Our members engage in an intensive exchange on new technologies and emerging robots at the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR). The ISR is the main conference of the IFR, being organized every year on a different continent and different country since 1970. The ISR is systematically organized in conjunction with an International Robot Exhibition.

The IFR sponsors the prestigious IERA Award (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award) together with IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE/RAS). The award recognizes outstanding achievements in commercializing innovative robot and automation technology.

"The International Federation of Robotics is here to provide a reliable and highly trained professional network for the robotics community. By sponsoring the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR), the IFR stands as a major driver for researchers and engineers from around the globe, allowing them to present their pioneering works in service and industrial robotics."

Professor Alexander Verl, Chairman IFR Research Committee and Head of Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units / University of Stuttgart

IFR Research Lectures

The IFR invites young academics to share research and development on robotics in IFR Research Lectures. They focus on:

International knowledge exchange and practical experience on a detailed level
Promoting collaboration on an international high-level basis for future projects and proposals
Promotion of excellent researchers and strengthening the international community in robotics

IFR Research Committee

Develops and promotes the International Symposium on Robotics ISR, e.g. by supporting the collection and selection of high quality papers
Supports the IERA Award
Responsible for IFR Research Lectures
Represents R&D Institute members that meet once a year during the ISR
Designates representatives to the IFR General Assembly

Contact IFR Research Committee

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Verl

Chair Research Committee

Head of Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units
University of Stuttgart

Dr. Susanne Bieller

IFR General Secretary

Lyoner Str. 18
DE-60528 Frankfurt am Main
Phone: +49 69-6603-1502
E-Mail: secretariat(at)ifr.org