ERF 2025 - Towards next generation robotics: Generative AI use cases, challenges and opportunities
The 27th of March 2025, the Session on "Towards next generation robotics: Generative AI use cases, challenges and opportunities" will be held within the European Robotics Forum (ERF 2025). The workshop is organized by Andrea Orlandini, Aksel A. Transeth (SINTEF) and Magí Dalmau-Moreno (EURECAT).
** Context of the Workshop **
This workshop aims to provide a foundational understanding of the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI) in robotics by exploring current and emerging opportunities, practical applications, and challenges. With both academic and industrial perspectives, we’ll examine high-impact use cases across sectors such as inspection and maintenance, assistive robotics, and manufacturing, where GenAI is already proving valuable. Attendees will gain insight into the latest advancements in robotic capabilities powered by GenAI and complementary AI models, including foundation models for grasping, LLM-based code generation, and mission planning that combines LLMs with classical AI techniques. Discussions will also address the specific risks and challenges posed by GenAI in robotics, from data privacy to hardware constraints, to better understand the limitations of these technologies.
Through practical insights from key research projects, including TRIFFID, JARVIS, and PEER, this workshop will guide stakeholders on how GenAI is shaping the European robotics landscape. The session outcomes will be particularly valuable to end-users, suppliers, and researchers, providing them with insights into near- and medium-term high-value industry use cases and actionable strategies for cost-effective, safe, and efficient GenAI implementations in robotics. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of both the potential and the obstacles associated with GenAI in robotics, including open software and hardware development challenges. A summary report will capture the key discussions and insights, contributing to broader strategic efforts in ADRA, euRobotics, and related networks.
In this particular edition, the speakers will be asked to address three questions to figure out how AI&Robotics can have a concrete impact.
What are the promising, near-term use cases for Generative AI, possibly in combination with other AI models, in robotics across sectors such as inspection, maintenance, assistive robotics, and manufacturing?
What are the latest research findings, opportunities, risks, and challenges with Generative AI in robotics?
In which areas should Europe lead in the field of Generative AI for robotics, and why?
Given the hype around LLMs and Generative AI, what is the realistic potential for impact, and should the focus on these technologies be balanced with other AI advancements?
More info here