WS#28 Sustainable business models to accelerate robotics technology adoption - going beyond the use-case
Brigita Jurisic (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory), Franziska Kirstein (Blue Ocean Robotics), Carl Mörch (FARI - Ai for the Common Good Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles), Sharath Akkaladevi (PROFACTOR GmbH)Room 25-27
Questions to be answered
- What sustainable business models can drive scalable and environmentally-conscious adoption of robotics technologies?
- How can mutualization of infrastructure and shared resources maximize efficiency and reduce costs in robotics?
- What roles do various actors—such as businesses, public sectors, and community organizations—play in promoting sustainable robotics adoption?
Description
This workshop will focus on sustainable business models in robotics, where we go beyond traditional use cases to explore innovative, scalable, and environmentally-conscious strategies. The session will delve into the ways robotics businesses can drive technology adoption sustainably, examining various models that support the mutualization of infrastructure and shared resources to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. Attendees will explore ingredients for building impactful business models that not only accelerate the adoption of robotics technologies but also create lasting value by minimizing resource waste and enhancing operational sustainability. From robotics libraries and robot-as-a-service to creating new business models, we expect participants to share their experiences and views.
Organisation of the WS
Introduction to the Workshop (5 min)
A quick introduction to the workshop's goals, the importance of sustainable business models in accelerating robotics technology adoption, and an overview of the session's format.
Talks (25 min)
A series of short, focused talks from diverse perspectives to set the stage for collaborative discussion:
- Tech Transfer and Business Perspective: Insights on tech transfer in robotics from a business angle, including challenges in moving from prototype to implementation.
- Mutualization and Sharing Models: Exploring how mutualization can help scale robotics sustainably by enabling shared use of expensive equipment, reducing costs, and fostering collaboration.
- Company Case Study: A story from a company that initially considered robotics with support from a Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) but ultimately decided against implementation, highlighting challenges and real-world considerations.
- Citizen Organizations and Public Administration: The value of including citizen organizations and public administrations in the conversation around sustainable robotics adoption, to ensure alignment with broader societal needs.
Workshop / Discussion Session (45 min)
Participants break into small, facilitated groups working on designing novel sustainable business models for robotics focussing on scalable implementations. Each group will choose a specific application area of the robot that is in their opinion scalable (explain why) and design the business model as well as the value chain it fits within (factory/manufacturing, agro, cyber, drones and other vehicles, humanoid robots for social and healthcare). Business model canvases, stakeholder map, post it notes and pens needed.
Sharing results (10 min)
Each group “pitches” their business model to other groups.
Intended outcome
Each group will generate a set of personas—representing a Company, Tech Transfer Officer, End-user, and Researcher—to illustrate the diverse perspectives and needs involved in sustainable robotics adoption.
Speakers, Panelists, etc
- Brigita JURISIC, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, brigita.jurisic@inl.int (Braga, Portugal)
- Franziska KIRSTEIN, Blue Ocean Robotics, fk@blue-ocean-robotics.com (Odense, Denmark)
- Carl MÖRCH, FARI - Ai for the Common Good Institute, carl.morch@fari.brussels (Brussels, Belgium)
- Oswald Bratu, PROFACTOR GmbH, oswald.bratu@profactor.at (Austria). Confirmed
- Sharath AKKALADEVI, PROFACTOR GmbH, Sharath.Akkaladevi@profactor.at (Austria)
Topic Groups and/or Innovation networks involved
TG Sustainability for Robotics
CAIRNE
Projects involved
- FORGING – Forum to uncover the potential of emerging enabling technologies (Horizon Europe led by INL, Portugal) https://forging-hub.eu/
- AI5 Production (https://ai5production.at/)
- ZERO3 (https://www.profactor.at/forschung/industrielle-automatisierungssysteme/robotik/projekte/zero3/)
Further information
Organisers
- Brigita Jurisic (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory), brigita.jurisic@inl.int
- Franziska Kirstein (Blue Ocean Robotics), fk@blue-ocean-robotics.com
- Carl Mörch (FARI - Ai for the Common Good Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles), carl.morch@fari.brussels
- Sharath Akkaladevi (PROFACTOR GmbH) Sharath.Akkaladevi@profactor.at