Robotekin is born with the support of 30 entities and organisations and the impulse of the Provincial Council of Alava and the Basque Government

It has arrived to provide creative and unique solutions to the business fabric of Alava and the Basque Country.

The first robotics `hub’ in the Basque Country will be chaired by Emilio Titos and is made up of leading companies, universities and institutions.

Thirty private and public business entities and organisations met this Thursday, 30 March, at the Vitoria-Gasteiz Campus of the Basque Technology Parks to formally set up the Robotekin association, the first robotics and automation ‘hub’ in the Basque Country. Thus, its statutes were approved, the members of the Governing Body were appointed and the Presidency was elected, which will be held by Emilio Titos, who stated that “this new and strategic instrument for competitiveness has arrived to provide creative and unique solutions to the business fabric of Alava and the Basque Country”.

Robotikaren eta Automatizazioaren Euskal Elkartea – ROBOTEKIN – Basque Robotics and Automation Association’ is the official name of this meeting place for the robotics and automation ecosystem. The members of the Governing Body accompanying Emilio Titos are Victor Mayoral (Acceleration Robotics) as Vice President; and, David Montero (BIC Araba) as Secretary and Treasurer.

The first turning point for the Association took place on 2 February with a meeting between a wide and diverse sample of companies and sectors in the Territory linked to the Robotics and Automation sector, in which the interest and involvement of those present in forming an Association like the aforementioned was expressed. “The response could not have been more positive and encouraging. Without a doubt, the founding entities are the best guarantee that Robotekin can have to position Alava and the Basque Country as a driving force for talent, investment and quality employment and which will boost the competitiveness of our economic fabric. Our Territory is the most industrialised in Spain and its enormous weight is directly reflected in the great economic and employment stability that we live in, representing an optimal situation to lead innovative economic development”, said the Deputy General of Alava, Ramiro González.

Robotekin arose after dozens of meetings with the main local agents in the field in question to test their needs and interests and after studying international success stories such as, for example, that of Odense Robotics in Denmark. In this sense, one of its main objectives is to strengthen ties with similar ecosystems on an international level, seeking collaborations and synergies.

“This hub is set to become the core of the Basque robotics and automation ecosystem. It is also a support instrument that will promote technology transfer in the Basque Country and will contribute to the promotion of a new digital and sustainable industrial model, while at the same time helping to improve our competitiveness. With Robotekin, Alava will become a benchmark innovative ecosystem thanks to the interactions that will take place between agents, which will allow manufacturers and end users to go hand in hand, as well as training entities that will be able to adapt their educational programmes to the needs of the market, start-ups that will be able to mature in a safe learning environment and much more”, said Leyre Madariaga, Director of Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship of the Basque Government’s Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment.

The pioneers

The profiles of the Robotekin pioneers are six: Manufacturers (agents in charge of creating the technology and manufacturing the robots); Service providers (generators of programmes and components that allow the robots to be ‘serviced’); Training (educational and training entities that adapt their training itineraries to the needs of robotics and automation); R&D (dedicated to research, technological development and/or innovation that participate in projects on robotics and automation); End-users (encompassing companies and entities that, not having their business directly related to robotics, use robots and benefit directly from their development); and Startups (start-up companies that will be especially encouraged and supported) and collaboration and6 international relations with similar ecosystems and especially encourage and support start-ups.

Reflecting these profiles, the entities and organisations that have supported Robotekin since its inception are:

The newly founded `hub’ will be based at the Vitoria-Gasteiz Campus of the Basque Technology Parks, specifically in the Ada Lovelace building. Likewise, Robotekin is open to continue adding support and adhesions, beyond the aforementioned founding entities and organisations, to all those interested in forming part of this project. All you have to do is visit the Robotekin website and there you will find all the information you need to do so.