Humanoid Robotics and Embodied AI Foundation Established
At a time when humanoid robotics is becoming the key solution to the shortage of skilled workers and a crucial factor in competitiveness, Hochschule Offenburg, Schunk SE & Co. KG, and the Burger Group are setting the course for innovation and technological autonomy: On Wednesday, the University and the companies jointly established the nonprofit foundation “Humanoid Robotics and Embodied AI.”
The founders aim to support applied research and technology transfer projects focused on the development, testing, and deployment of sustainable, economically valuable solutions using humanoid robotics and embodied AI. The goal is to create an innovation ecosystem that brings together the entire value chain—from basic research to market-ready systems—within the region. This ranges from application-oriented basic research for innovative, AI-based subcomponents—such as intelligent sensor technology and anthropomorphic grasping systems—and software solutions to complete systems and their transfer to industry. In addition, a regional and supraregional network of experts from academia, industry, and society will be established and maintained to address issues related to humanoid robotics and embodied AI.
Practical implementation will begin immediately: As the first concrete use case, the foundation partners are launching a pilot project on “box handling” in logistics. To this end, they are researching and developing the entire pipeline, from hardware to software. The automated handling of boxes and containers is considered one of the central key components of modern factory automation.
The fact that the partners are taking exactly the right approach with the foundation and applied basic research was also recently confirmed by their participation in the “Humanoid Robotics” delegation trip to China organized by Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i), the Society for International Economic and Scientific Cooperation. The insights gained there into the global state of the art underscored the high relevance of this field and demonstrated how Baden-Württemberg can provide innovative technological impetus to participate in the humanoid robotics market.
Prof. Dr. Stephan Trahasch, President of Hochschule Offenburg: “Hochschule Offenburg has built up expertise in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence over many years. With the foundation, we can now work together with our corporate partners to further expand these strengths in a targeted manner and bring them directly into practical application within companies. Our shared goal is clear: Our region should not only be a user of AI-driven robotics, but also a global driver of innovation across the entire technology stack—from hardware to algorithmic intelligence. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the founding donors for their trust and generous support, which will now enable us to actively shape the future of humanoid robotics ‘made in Baden-Württemberg.’”
Dr. Maximilian Gießler, Head of Research in Humanoid Robotics and Embodied AI & Foundation Initiator: “It is a significant milestone that our research in the field of humanoid robotics is having a measurable impact and that we have been able to win over these renowned partners to the foundation’s vision. We are highly motivated to repay this trust through research results and initiatives that drive technology transfer. This structure enables us to work efficiently, agilely, and with a high degree of innovation at the forefront of basic research and to transfer these findings into production in collaboration with companies.”
Timo Gessmann, CTO of Schunk SE & Co. KG: “Humanoid robotics is a key area of the future for SCHUNK because it enables highly flexible automation in new fields of application. We’ll make real progress when we bring current research together with specific industrial requirements at an early stage. That’s exactly what the foundation enables: It pools expertise and creates a resilient innovation ecosystem for AI-based robotics. This allows new insights to flow more quickly into our development work for industrial-grade robotic hands.”
Fabian Burger, managing director of the Burger Group: “It is high time that Germany resolutely seizes the opportunities presented by humanoid robotics. Otherwise, we risk a scenario similar to that with electric vehicles, where China now holds the technological lead. In humanoid robotics, however, we still have the opportunity to move to the forefront. To do so, we must act boldly now, consistently drive innovation forward, and move more quickly toward practical implementation. The joint foundation with Hochschule Offenburg is an important building block for us in shaping this new era.”