European companies are striving to gain a foothold in the field of physical AI, where artificial intelligence is integrated into robotics and machinery. This effort comes as China and the United States have already taken an early lead. Industry experts warn that Europe risks further deindustrialisation if it fails to establish a competitive presence. David Kehr, president of Humanoid Robotics at Schaeffler Technologies, highlighted that while China and the US are often seen as leaders in AI, Europe should not be underestimated. Schaeffler, traditionally focused on automotive and industrial components, ventured into this sector by partnering with UK start-up Humanoid. The collaboration involves Schaeffler supplying actuators and implementing the British firm’s AI models in its factories. At the Machina summit in Paris, Kehr pointed out that safety standards and the speed of training are key challenges for the industry. He suggested that Europe could lead in setting global safety standards, but warned that excessive regulation could hinder the growth of the humanoid and physical AI market. The challenges for European companies were evident at the summit, where most presenters were from US-based companies, while European firms were underrepresented.
Can Europe compete in the humanoid robotics race?
