A robot as a colleague - the idea is no longer far-fetched, even in the skilled trades. "They are not intended to replace tradespeople, but to take over heavy, monotonous or dangerous work," says Daniel Hübschmann from the Dresden Chamber of Crafts. The Chamber of Skilled Crafts is one of around 300 participants from business, industry and research at the first Robotics Festival at the Dresden Exhibition Center, which opens on Thursday (September 16). Until September 22, trends in the industry and its future will be discussed. In addition to robotics manufacturers, scientists from Asia, the USA and Sweden as well as numerous start-ups are also taking part.

Robots are already being used in glazieries, joineries and by stonemasons, says Hübschmann. Even in a ceramics company in Saxony, which produces the cups for the Striezelmarkt, the handles are now attached with the help of a machine. This gives the craftsman more time for his creative tasks.

While robots have long been part of everyday life in the automotive and semiconductor industries, medium-sized companies and craftsmen are also increasingly recognizing the potential of robotics and automation solutions, according to Thomas Schulz, Managing Director of the industry association Robot Valley Saxony and initiator of the first Robotics Festival. The Saxony Economic Development Corporation and the Office for Economic Development of the City of Dresden are supporting the festival, which aims to establish Saxony as an international location for the industry.

Establishing Saxony as a robotics location

Schulz believes that the Free State, with its research landscape as well as automotive engineering, microelectronics and mechanical engineering, is well equipped to become a "driving force" for a growing industry. "The robotics market is really taking off right now. We have to get in on the action, we have extreme expertise at the location."

Around 250 companies, 24 robotics start-ups and 40 research institutes with 35,000 employees are reportedly working on robotics projects in Saxony. The industry has generated almost six billion euros to date. According to the association, many companies in the Free State are primarily active at the interface between robotics manufacturers and users - and also supply individual solutions for SMEs.

Frank Fitzek, Professor and Head of the Deutsche Telekom Chair for Communication Networks at TU Dresden, will also be demonstrating this at the trade fair. He will be showing a robot that carefully picks up dough pieces and places them in a baking pan. The gripper arm can also stir and knead dough. The special feature: The robot learns by imitation, no difficult programming codes are necessary. The TU is working together with the Dresden start-up Wandelbots. "The human shows the machine what to do," says Fitzek. The robot has already been used for a test at a bakery.

German Robotics Association calls for more commitment from Berlin

Olaf Gehrels, Co-Chairman of the German Robotics Association, sees great demand for such applications. The corona crisis has acted as an accelerator for digitalization. "Now we need to carry the momentum into robotics." He called for a new German government to show more political commitment to the robotics industry and support start-ups - for example by reducing tax hurdles. Billions are being invested in automation in America and Asia. "We must be careful not to lose touch," warned Gehrels.