Bonus Episode: Resilient Supply Chains for Robotics (ERF 2026)

At ERF 2026 in Stavanger, experts from academia, industry, and policy convened to confront Europe’s fragile robotics supply chain. The workshop highlighted how COVID‑19, the Ukraine war, and Middle‑East tensions exposed over‑reliance on overseas components, from PLCs to precision motors. Participants argued that a resilient ecosystem must combine local manufacturing, strategic stockpiles, and a clear roadmap for technology ownership, positioning Europe to compete with the United States and China while safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Discussion turned to concrete levers for change. Attendees urged diversification of suppliers, emphasizing the need for multiple European sources to replace single‑source Chinese parts. Cybersecurity and data sovereignty surfaced as parallel risks: AI‑driven robots depend on secure code and protected training data, demanding harmonised standards across the EU. Funding gaps and fragmented legal frameworks were identified as barriers for startups, prompting calls for unified financing instruments, streamlined regulations, and stronger industry‑government partnerships. The consensus was that sustainability benefits—shorter transport distances and lower emissions—align with strategic resilience.

Looking ahead, the community proposes a shift from end‑product focus to controlling the core layers of the robotic stack—motors, power electronics, vision systems, and edge compute. By building European alternatives for these control points, the region can secure strategic autonomy and reduce geopolitical exposure. Practical steps include establishing multi‑supplier consortia, incentivising domestic R&D through targeted grants, and educating policymakers on the economic impact of resilient robotics. If executed, these measures promise a robust, competitive European robotics sector that fuels productivity, safety, and long‑term sustainability.