Putting Norway on the European Map for Robotics and AI

In 2026, ERF will be hosted by NORCE and SINTEF, Norway’s leading research institutes, in collaboration with euRobotics – Europe’s largest network for robotics. Over 1,000 participants from industry, academia, and the public sector will gather to explore groundbreaking technology, stimulate collaboration, and address the latest challenges and trends shaping the future of robotics in Europe.

– ERF is Europe’s largest and longest-running conference on robotics and artificial intelligence, where researchers and industry actors meet as equal partners. Here, the research frontier is shaped, and the direction for further development of robotics and AI in Europe is set – while Norway is put on the map, says Gabor Sziebig, Research Manager at SINTEF.

This is supported by Nabil Belbachir, Research Manager at NORCE Research, who emphasizes that Europe must strengthen its ability to produce essential resources, secure critical value chains, and create new opportunities for future generations.

Technologies for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future

Robots mark the beginning of a new era in which technology collaborates with humans to make everyday life safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Robots are entering an increasing number of applications, from performing tasks in factories to unmanned vehicles and drones – on land, in the air, on the water, and underwater. The use of AI is also becoming more common in both passenger and cargo transport, with self-driving cars, buses, and aircraft.

At the conference, you can see four-legged, rolling, swimming, flying, humanoid, and industrial robots. Such a range of technologies will be interesting for many:

– For Gen Z who want to build and test robots, for grandparents who want to learn about home-assistance robots, for young researchers presenting groundbreaking papers, for industry showcasing their latest developments, for students competing in hackathons –
and for everyone who wishes to become part of the euRobotics family, says Gabor Sziebig.

Both SINTEF and NORCE have strong professional environments within robotics, AI, and automation. NORCE has core expertise in new technologies based on methods for pattern analysis, smart sensors, machine learning, and visualization for use in autonomous systems for monitoring, operations, and maintenance. SINTEF contributes to ERF with leading robotics research, close industry collaboration, and relevant cases from industry, maritime, energy, and health. The institute has strong competence in AI, autonomy, human–robot interaction, and testing/validation.

Stine Vatneberg confirmed as keynote speaker

Equinor’s Vice President Stine Vemmestad Vatneberg is confirmed as a keynote speaker at this year’s conference. Vatneberg is Vice President for Facilities & Operations Solutions within Equinor’s Technology, Digitalization, and Innovation business area. With 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, she has held several specialist and leadership roles. She previously led the Autonomy, Interoperability, and Robotics Project, a flagship program that accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across Equinor’s installations.

Stine joins a range of leading voices in European robotics and artificial intelligence confirmed as speakers, including:

• Camilla Stoltenberg, CEO, NORCE Research
• Francesco Ferro, CEO and co-founder of PAL Robotics
• Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO, SINTEF
• Nabil Belbachir, Research Manager, NORCE Research
• Gabor Sziebig, Research Manager, SINTEF Industry
• Hedi Karray, Program Lead for Artificial Intelligence, European Innovation Council
• Bernd Liepert, President, euRobotics

Stavanger sets the stage

Stavanger offers a unique setting where tradition meets technology. The region is experiencing strong growth within smart industry, energy transition, and digital innovation, providing an ideal backdrop for promoting dialogue on robotics and artificial intelligence across sectors. Given Stavanger’s maritime traditions and position, it is fitting that the main theme for ERF2026 will focus on the blue economy and growth in space exploration.

– The Stavanger region has played a key role in the development of robotic technology, something not everyone may be aware of. In 1969, one of the first commercial industrial robots was launched and put into use by the company Trallfa here. This robot became the precursor to the ASEA IRB robot, which later became the ABB IRB 6 in 1974, says Gabor Sziebig.

For more information, contact:

NORCE:
Nabil Belbachir, Research Manager
+47 401 08 137 • nabe@norceresearch.no

SINTEF:
Gabor Sziebig, Research Manager
+47 46 80 61 21 • gabor.sziebig@sintef.no

ERF2026 Program:
Reinhard Lafrenz, Secretary General, euRobotics
+49 171 1222298 • reinhard.lafrenz@eu-robotics.net

Sponsorship opportunities:
erf2026.sponsor@aimgroup.eu