In January 2018, the European Commission launched the 'ESMERA' (European SMEs Robotics Applications) project. The open call for applications has now started: SMEs that are active in the development of robotics technologies can apply - with their solutions for defined, real problems from industry. Within 'Horizon 2020', the European Commission's funding program for research and innovation, 'ESMERA' awards funding to research projects, so-called "experiments". In this way, SMEs are given the opportunity to introduce, apply and implement new technologies.

Application and participation

In the run-up to the event, European companies have defined eight real challenges that are looking for an innovative robotics solution. The challenges come from the energy industry, production, the construction industry and the agricultural and food industry. They were selected on the basis of their innovation potential. In developing potential solutions, the participating SMEs have the freedom to take new directions and paths.

SMEs can apply online within the open call that has now started until October 31, 2018. The test and evaluation phase will last nine months. There will also be a second open call within the project, which will start in November 2019.

The selection process

The solutions are developed in two competition phases.

• Phase 1: 16 projects, the so-called "experiments", compete against each other and international experts evaluate their concepts.
• Phase 2: Every second project receives support and funding to commercialize and industrialize its robotics solution.

SMEs can submit an experiment individually or form a consortium with up to two partners. Partners can be research and development organizations or companies whose expertise complements that of the SMEs.

The partner consortium

Four Robotics Competence Centers (CC) are opening their doors for 'ESMERA' to drive forward the technological development of European SMEs. They offer companies high-tech equipment, test environments and their expertise, thus closing the gap between science and industry:

• Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation (LMS) at the University of Patras (Project Coordinator)
• Commissarat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA)
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Fundación Tekniker (IK4-Tekniker)

In addition, three robotics industry partners offer mentoring and support in the creation of business cases and along the entire path from idea to market launch:

• Blue Ocean Robotics
• Comau
• R.U. Robots