Urban Robotics Test Area: Baden-Württemberg Brings Innovation to the City
Focus: Robotics
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism is providing around one million euros in funding for the development phase of the Urban Robotics Test Area at the FZI Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe until mid-2027. This funding represents an important step toward testing and further developing robotic systems in urban areas.
“With the Urban Robotics Test Area in Karlsruhe, we are developing an innovative and practical concept for a testing environment for innovative robotics applications in urban areas. This will enable us to accelerate the transfer of excellent research into marketable solutions,” said Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, today (February 5) in Stuttgart. “Urban robotics is an important field of the future with high innovation and value creation potential. It strengthens our technological capabilities, opens up new business models, and makes a decisive contribution to the competitiveness of Baden-Württemberg as a business location.”
Robots in public spaces: improved quality of life and new services
Urban robotics is considered a key technology for sustainable social development, the opening up of new markets, and a resilient business location. Robots in public spaces can improve people’s quality of life by facilitating everyday tasks through individual transport or assistance services. They can also close supply gaps through (micro) logistics or in the service sector. Fleets of maintenance and cleaning robots can automate the care and maintenance of urban green spaces. At the same time, autonomous surveillance systems conduct inspections and enhance safety in vulnerable areas such as underpasses and parks.
The test field for urban robotics is being conceptualized as a business-oriented transfer platform within the AI-based robotics innovation ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg. It offers infrastructure, reference implementations, and exemplary use cases for low-threshold entry at all levels.
The test field for urban robotics is being conceptualized as a business-oriented transfer platform within the AI-based robotics innovation ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg. It offers infrastructure, reference implementations, and exemplary use cases for low-threshold entry at all levels.
Challenges in urban use: technology, regulation, and acceptance
The use of robotic systems in urban areas places high demands on the flexibility, autonomy, and robustness of the systems. At the same time, it raises questions about the design of the robots, regulatory frameworks, and social acceptance that have not yet been adequately addressed. A conceptually prepared open test area in an inner-city area should enable the development of these systems in line with requirements, gain experience through rapid implementation under future operating conditions, and thus significantly strengthen the innovative power of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Background
In spring 2025, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, together with the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts, presented the position paper “Intelligent Robotics for the Future” to the public at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) with a clear vision: Baden-Württemberg should be the leading innovation region for intelligent human-robot systems by 2035. To achieve this goal, the Innovation Ecosystem for AI-based robotics in Baden-Württemberg was launched. Baden-Württemberg is in an excellent position to secure significant competitive advantages in the international competition for robotics of the future.
Next steps
Work has begun – and with it, networking.
For experts from industry and research, an initial exchange will take place on February 26, 2026, at the Urban Robotics Forum as part of the FZI Open House in Karlsruhe.
Subsequently, stakeholders from across Germany will be invited to a workshop in the second quarter.
Interested parties are cordially invited to contact us. Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions or would like to share your requirements for an urban robotics test area with us!
