European Robotics Forum 2022 (ERF 2022)
- Date
- 2022-06-28
- Location
- Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Host
- euRobotics
About this event
Europe’s robotics community meets where research, industry, and policy intersect. European Robotics Forum 2022 (ERF 2022) brings together the people building, deploying, regulating, and scaling robotics across the continent, with a clear thematic focus on sustainability. If your work touches industrial robotics, applied research, innovation strategy, or the future direction of the field, this is the kind of room where useful conversations happen quickly. Set in Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, the 13th edition of ERF is designed for serious exchange: practical ideas, technical discussion, cross-sector networking, and a close look at how robotics can contribute to more sustainable systems and industries. It’s not just a meetup for catching up with peers; it’s a working forum for people who want to understand where European robotics is heading and who wants to help shape it. About the Event ERF 2022 is an in-person European forum centered on robotics, with participation from researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. That mix matters. It means the event is built not only around technical progress, but also around the real-world conditions that determine whether robotics solutions are adopted, funded, regulated, and scaled. The event’s overarching theme, Sustainability, gives the forum a strong frame. Expect discussions that connect robotics to efficiency, resilience, responsible innovation, industrial transformation, and long-term societal impact. Rather than treating sustainability as a side topic, ERF 2022 positions it as a lens for evaluating where robotics can make the biggest difference. The format is best understood as a professional forum: a place for structured sessions, knowledge exchange, and relationship-building across disciplines. Whether you come from academia, manufacturing, startups, public institutions, or technology strategy, the event is designed to create shared context among people who often work on the same problems from different angles. Because the audience spans technical and decision-making roles, ERF 2022 is especially useful for attendees who want a broader view of the European robotics landscape. You’re not only hearing what is possible in the lab or on the factory floor; you’re also getting insight into what is relevant now, what is emerging next, and what kinds of collaboration are needed to move from prototypes to impact. What to Expect ERF 2022 is built around the core things a strong robotics forum should do well: surface meaningful ideas, connect the right people, and create space for practical follow-up. The event is likely to feel active and multi-layered, with a combination of formal sessions and informal conversation throughout the day. You can expect content and interactions shaped by the forum’s cross-functional audience, including themes such as: Industrial robotics and real-world deployment Research translation from technical work into usable applications Innovation and entrepreneurship in the European robotics ecosystem Policy and strategy affecting development and adoption Sustainability-focused discussion on how robotics supports more efficient and responsible systems For many attendees, one of the biggest strengths of ERF is the quality of the networking. This is the kind of event where a conversation with a researcher can lead to a product idea, where an engineer can compare implementation challenges with peers, and where policymakers can hear directly from the people building and using robotics technologies. That mix creates a more grounded conversation than you get at narrowly specialized events. You should also expect a forum atmosphere that rewards preparation. If you arrive with a clear sense of your interests, current projects, and collaboration goals, you’ll get more out of the sessions and the in-person interactions around them. Rotterdam Ahoy provides a large-scale event setting well suited to moving between talks, discussions, and networking with a broad professional audience. Why Attend If you work in robotics, events are only worth your time when they sharpen your understanding and expand your network in ways that matter. ERF 2022 does both. It brings together people who are not just enthusiastic about robotics, but actively shaping the field across research, engineering, business, and public decision-making. The sustainability focus makes this edition especially relevant. Robotics is increasingly judged not only by technical performance, but by how it contributes to smarter production, better resource use, resilient infrastructure, and responsible innovation. Attending ERF 2022 gives you a clearer view of how these conversations are evolving in Europe and how your own work fits into that picture. This event is a strong fit if you want to: Understand the current priorities in European robotics Meet collaborators, peers, and stakeholders across sectors Pressure-test ideas with people from different disciplines See where industrial robotics conversations are heading Connect technical work to broader market and policy realities There is also real value in being in the room with a European audience. Robotics development does not happen in isolation, and the regional context matters: standards, regulation, funding environments, industrial needs, and research networks all shape what gains traction. ERF 2022 offers a concentrated way to engage with that wider ecosystem in person. Practical Details Location: In person at Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands. This is a physical event, making it especially useful for attendees who value direct conversation, spontaneous introductions, and the ability to build stronger professional relationships face to face. Date and time: Tuesday, June 28 at 12:00 AM UTC. If you are traveling from elsewhere in Europe or internationally, it’s worth checking the local time in Rotterdam and planning your schedule accordingly. A few practical reasons this format works well for ERF 2022: In-person networking is central to the value of the event Cross-sector attendees can connect more naturally in shared spaces Complex topics like sustainability and robotics benefit from live discussion Large-venue hosting supports a broad professional audience If you’re considering attending, come prepared to do more than sit in sessions. Bring a clear introduction to your work, know which topics you most want to explore, and leave room in your schedule for conversations between sessions. ERF 2022 is best approached as a forum for active participation: a place to learn, exchange perspectives, and build the relationships that move robotics forward in Europe.
Who should attend
If you care about where robotics in Europe is headed, this is the kind of room you want to be in. - **You’re a robotics researcher or academic** looking to connect your work to real-world priorities, especially around sustainability, deployment, and cross-border collaboration. - **You’re an engineer or technical lead** working in industrial robotics, automation, or adjacent systems and want exposure to current challenges, practical ideas, and the people building what’s next. - **You’re a founder, product builder, or innovation lead** exploring how robotics can create commercial value while meeting growing expectations around sustainable operations. - **You work in policy, public funding, or ecosystem development** and want a clearer view of the technologies, stakeholders, and partnerships shaping the European robotics landscape. - **You’re part of a manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, or applied technology team** and want to understand how robotics is being discussed and advanced at a European level. - **You value interdisciplinary conversations** and want to meet researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and policymakers in one place rather than staying inside a single industry silo. ERF 2022 is especially relevant if you want serious discussion, strong networking, and a broader view of how sustainability is influencing robotics strategy and adoption across Europe.