In the context of ESMERA, twelve experiments have now started to solve industry challenges by developing new robotics solutions. The ESMERA consortium has chosen the best twelve experiments from 32 proposals that were handed in during the first Open Call.
The solution design by the experiments will be carried out in two competitive phases. The first phase has started in April 2019: The experiments compete in proving their concept. Phase II will follow in March 2020. Eight overall winners will gain industrial leadership and business support to advance their path towards industrializing and commercializing their solutions.
Within the European Commission´s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, ESMERA aims to boost robotics innovation by European Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Key European companies defined eight real-life industrial challenges, specific problems that seek innovative solutions in manufacturing, construction, energy and agri-food. SMEs developing robotic technologies applied for providing solutions to these challenges. ESMERA provides funding of up to 200.000 euros for each of the selected experiments.
List of selected proposals
| Coordinator | Project Acronym | Country |
| IDMIND | NIx | Portugal |
| MANDALA | MANDEYE | Poland |
| IKnowHow SA | MINOTAUR-R | Greece |
| Carretta srl | WIRECOBOTS | Italy |
| CETEM | AutoTAP | Spain |
| CASP SA | REFLECT | Greece |
| Ledisson A&IT | eQUALS | Spain |
| Robotnik | Cobolleague | Spain |
| StreamOwl Private Company | EREVOS | Greece |
| Dahlia Robotics UG | ROWER | Germany |
| FarmDroid | SPAIW | Denmark |
| AGREENCULTURE SAS | CAROB | France |
In January 2018, the European Commission launched the ESMERA project to unlock the innovation potential of robotics SMEs. ESMERA promotes applied robotics technology developed for industrial challenges set by key European companies. Thereby the SMEs get a chance to implement, apply and prove new technologies that address real-life problems and thus already have a market.
A second open call with new challenges will open in September 2019. Again, SMEs can propose an experiment on their own or form a small consortium of partners, teaming up with R&D organizations or other companies supplementing their competences.