Markets Germany Magazine 3/25 | Robotics
Harnessing the Hive
In a swarm of intelligent robots, collaboration succeeds where a single machine would fail. Germany’s young but dynamic swarm robotics sector presents foreign companies with a unique opportunity to get in early and shape an emerging market with plenty of whiz, buzz and zip.
Dec 16, 2025
In a modern distribution center, dozens of small transport robots whiz around, shuttling packages, deftly avoiding one another and constantly recalculating their routes. When a package is too large or heavy for a single unit, multiple robots seamlessly team up to carry it. These machines, called LoadRunners, were co-developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) in Dortmund and tested in 2023 by parcel delivery company DPD.
The concept behind them is inspired by nature. Much like ants or bees, robots like LoadRunners work as a swarm, collaborating to accomplish tasks no individual robot could manage alone. There’s no hierarchy or centralized command. Instead, the machines communicate directly, optimizing their behavior within the group. “This decentralized control is the key distinction between swarm robotics and traditional multi-robot systems, where everything is centrally managed,” explains Heiko Hamann, a professor at the University of Konstanz and a leading expert in the field.
This article was published in issue 3-2025 of the Markets Germany Magazine. Read more articles of this issue here
German market is buzzing
Swarm robotics is part of the broader automation and robotics industry — an area where Germany enjoys a global reputation for excellence, thanks to its engineering heritage and robust industrial base. Though the swarm robotics market is still in its infancy, industry observers anticipate rapid growth in the coming years.
“With its strong research ecosystem, Germany is set to become a trendsetter in this space,” says Peggy Görlitz, a robotics expert at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). She believes foreign companies stand to benefit by investing early: “Germany leads Europe in attracting foreign direct investment in robotics and automation.”
Several German institutions are pushing the boundaries of swarm robotics. At the Technical University of Munich, researchers are exploring how robots can leverage data gathered by other members of the swarm. At the Technical University of Darmstadt, scientists are studying swarms of robots that can learn what tasks they are suited for and how to collaborate with humans.
Since 2024, the newly established Robotics Institute Germany (RIG) in Munich has been consolidating expertise in the field. Coordinating a network of universities and industrial partners, RIG aims to accelerate the transfer of knowledge from academia to industry. “We’re keen to work more closely with international partners in the future,” says Roderich Gross, who leads RIG’s Multi-Robot Systems research cluster.
The Bottom Line
From agricultural machinery to logistics robots, the field of swarm robotics is gaining serious traction. With its rich research landscape and high potential for practical applications, Germany offers foreign companies an opportunity to shape this fast-paced market.
Swarm-bots on the farm
German-developed robot swarms are expected to play a transformative role across multiple industries. Agriculture, for instance, could benefit greatly: swarms of robots may one day weed fields, plant seeds and monitor soil and crop nutrients. The potential market is substantial. Germany alone has roughly 255,000 farms.
“I see particular opportunities in vegetable and herb cultivation,” says Robert Everwand of Agrotech Valley, a business-driven innovation cluster in Northwest Germany that links agricultural research and industry. “This segment still relies heavily on manual labor, and farmers are under pressure from labor shortages. Swarm robotics could offer a solution.”
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) in Stuttgart is among those developing service robots for the precise management of individual plants in open fields. Meanwhile, the Technical University of Dresden is building its Smart Mobility Lab, a major research hub and testing ground for autonomous agricultural machines and field robot swarms.
FDI PERSPECTIVE: EDAG GROUP
Swiss engineering firm Edag has been working in robotics for more than three decades and, over the past three years, has extended its expertise to swarm robotics. “Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence and computing power, progress in this field has accelerated dramatically,” says Thomas Dörmer, an Edag industrial engineer responsible for smart factory solutions.
The company has invested heavily in server infrastructure and hardware to support these demanding projects. Its engineers develop and refine swarm robotics systems at Edag’s location in the central German city of Fulda, delivering solutions for clients across multiple industries.
“Germany is an ideal location for developing swarm robotics,” Dörmer says. “It offers a highly skilled workforce and strong industrial partners in mechanical engineering and automation, combined with innovation-minded customers in manufacturing, logistics and the automotive sector.”
Facts about the EDAG GROUP:
21 locations in Germany
5,600 employees in Germany
€822M of total revenue in 2024
Logistics applications
Germany’s research institutions are increasingly partnering with industry players to test their swarm technologies in real-world logistics environments. One example is the Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund, co-developer of the LoadRunner. “We welcome collaboration with companies that have robotics expertise or are interested in robotics and artificial intelligence,” says Jana Jost, Head of the Robotics and Cognitive Systems Department at Fraunhofer IML. She emphasizes that this invitation extends to foreign firms with existing or planned operations in Germany: “International partnerships can be highly beneficial for both sides.”
