Fully automated
Berlin, July 16, 2025 – They assemble parts, apply coatings, and weld joints. Industrial robots as a cross-cutting technology have long been a staple in manufacturing. But the combination of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) remains largely untapped – despite its promise to optimize processes, cut costs, and boost productivity. With more than 130 robotics companies, research institutes, and industrial users, Berlin is already a strong player in the field. But how well is the city positioned when it comes to artificial intelligence? A new study published by Berlin’s Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises analyzes the development, commercialization, and implementation of AI-driven robotics across the city’s industrial sector.
The study, titled “Demands and Opportunities for (AI-based) Robotics in the Industrial City of Berlin ” was commissioned by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and conducted by Prognos AG in collaboration with partners including Berlin Partner. It identifies 85 industrial companies in the Berlin metropolitan region already using AI-driven robotics, along with 149 vendors and developers. It distinguishes between the state of Berlin and the broader metropolitan region, defined in this case as a 130-kilometer radius around the city center, which includes parts of Brandenburg. Footnotes throughout the report clarify which geographic area specific figures and findings refer to.
The study focuses in particular on the strong potential for innovation and value creation that AI-based robotics offers to suppliers, developers, and industrial users. The authors conclude that for industrial companies, these technologies can significantly improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. When combined with artificial intelligence, robotic systems can also offer added value for employees – for example, by easing workloads and increasing flexibility. These are critical benefits for companies facing ongoing skilled labor shortages and disruptions.
The study’s findings are backed by compelling figures. Of the 85 industrial companies identified as using AI-driven robotics, 72 are based in the state of Berlin and 13 in Brandenburg. Among the Berlin-based users, 64 have more than 20 employees and together employ around 46,000 people – nearly half of the city’s total industrial workforce. These companies generate an estimated €11 billion in annual revenue, accounting for at least 30% of Berlin’s total industrial turnover. The firms actively integrating AI-powered robotics span a range of sectors, including metalworking, mechanical and plant engineering, and the highly automated automotive industry.
The analysis of 149 companies developing and supplying AI-powered robotics solutions shows that most are small firms or startups with fewer than ten employees. Of these, 140 are based in Berlin and nine in Brandenburg. Together, they generate an estimated €700 million to €1.3 billion in annual revenue and offer a wide array of products and services for industrial applications – including material handling, logistics, maintenance, image processing, and machine vision.
The study’s authors place these figures in a broader context, identifying key strengths, growth potential, and value-creation opportunities for both industry and research in the Berlin region. The findings thus offer valuable insights for current and prospective technology providers, but also provide industrial companies exploring the integration of AI-based robotics into their operations a clear and well-grounded overview of existing capabilities and current developments in AI-powered robotics across the Berlin metropolitan region.
The full study is available here.