In an interview with Annina Schopen ahead of the Hannover Messe, Helmut Schmid, CEO of the association, spoke about artificial intelligence in robotics, the impact on workforce training and trends and barriers to the introduction of robot technologies.

How did the cooperation between the DRV and the Hannover Messe come about?

We had been talking for some time and were looking for a way to showcase robotics applications from smaller, innovative companies at the trade fair. With the idea of the Application Park and the cooperation at the Robotics Congress in the run-up to the event, we then implemented this together. I am very excited to see whether we have succeeded.

AI is a big topic at the Hannover Messe and, of course, in robotics. Is the combination of robots and AI really suitable for alleviating the shortage of skilled workers?

I am absolutely convinced of this, and the speed of development and the merging of the two areas also shows that the combination works very well. As we will already be short of four to six million skilled workers in 2030, the year of the baby boomers, we need multiple approaches to alleviate this shortage. This includes a good migration policy, education and training, a reduction in regulations and bureaucracy, a good energy policy, but above all more investment in robotics and AI.

Where and in which applications is AI particularly noticeable in robots? What can it do that was not possible before?

The programming and operation of robots will be much easier and faster in future thanks to the use of speech, gestures and images. This will also make areas outside of industry more accessible. The field of social robots in particular is likely to receive a boost from this.

How has robotics developed in recent years, and which new applications or technologies are particularly noteworthy?

In the last ten years, the cobot in particular has had its breakthrough in robotics among SMEs thanks to its ease of use and versatility. Mobile robotics is now experiencing enormous popularity, which we also want to demonstrate at the trade fair in the Application Park. I find the hype surrounding humanoid robots and the enormous amount of money being invested in this technology particularly remarkable, even if there are still no industrial applications to be found today. In any case, it is and will remain an exciting time.

What opportunities and challenges arise from the use of robots in terms of safety, efficiency and costs?

Robot safety has always been important, but the new standardization makes it even more challenging to implement. With the right choice of applications, the efficiency of the robot is generally undisputed and the increase in productivity is pre-programmed. Ultimately, every company will have an eye on costs and cost-effectiveness, which is precisely where new developments will focus.

What effects does the advancing automation have on the training and qualification of the workforce?

In my opinion, our current education and training system is not well prepared for the upcoming changes brought about by robotics and AI. New job profiles will emerge in a very short space of time, but a few existing ones will also disappear. We need to prepare for this as quickly as possible so that the next generation, but also the current generation, is better able to cope with the new requirements and changes.

How do social factors such as ethics and social responsibility influence the development and use of robot technologies?

Especially in the current, rapidly changing geopolitical and social times, ethics and responsibility should be a driving force in the use of robotics and AI. There is a very fine line between what robotics can be used for and how it can be used outside of industry, and some science fiction films also show other examples.

What trends are emerging in robotics and which areas are likely to benefit most from innovations in the future?

The trends in e-commerce, in changes to our diet, in urban living and also in the service sector will give new impetus to innovation in robotics, as these areas are currently not automated, or only to a limited extent. I therefore see logistics, the construction industry, agriculture and crafts, but also service, care and the use of social robots in hospitals as the main beneficiaries of future innovations.

How can small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from robot technologies, and what barriers might they have to overcome in order to introduce them?

Many of the new technologies from start-ups, but also from manufacturers that are already leaders in their fields, are aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises. On the road to do-it-yourself robotics, SMEs in particular will benefit from new robotics with a focus on quick and easy operation and commissioning. This is the only way we can democratize robotics for the masses. I am very optimistic about the future ahead of us.