Stefan Mileschin

The European Commission has decided to make sure that the only way that European countries will do what they are told is if they are all run by robots.

The Commission has set up a scheme with 180 companies and research organisations called SPARC which it said will strengthen Europe’s position in the global robotics market.

SPARC will create over 240,000 jobs in Europe, and increase Europe’s share of the global market to 42 per cent. To do this the Commission will invest €700 million and euRobotics €2.1 billion.

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said: "Europe needs to be a producer and not merely a consumer of robots. Robots do much more than replace humans – they often do things humans can’t or won’t do and that improves everything from our quality of life to our safety. Integrating robots into European industry helps us create and keep jobs in Europe.”

President of euRobotics Bernd Liepert says: "SPARC will ensure the competitiveness of European robotics industries. Robot-based automation solutions are essential to overcome today’s most pressing societal challenges - from demographic change to mobility to sustainable production".

Robotics enables companies to continue manufacturing in Europe, where they might otherwise move operations to lower-cost countries.

http://news.techeye.net/business/eu-wants-more-robots