Telefónica, ARME to create mobile robotics tech hub

Telefónica Tech has signed a collaboration agreement with the Spanish Mobile Robotics Association (ARME) to create a technology hub where companies from the technology and industrial sector can research, innovate and co-create solutions to boost the field of robotics.

The mobile robotics technology hub will serve as an international meeting point to generate and share knowledge and will be located in The ThinX, Telefónica Tech’s IoT and Big Data applied technology laboratory, which has become one of the most advanced and equipped technological environments in the world. There will also be another 200 m2 test area at the DTA facilities in Torrejón de Ardoz.

The alliance between Telefónica Tech and ARME will allow the business world to carry out robotic simulations in real conditions in this space before their massive implementation. To this end, both institutions will cooperate in the combination of technologies linked to communications, robots, navigation and localisation, and software. This range of technologies will be complemented by others related to Cloud capabilities, Edge Computing, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.

The creation of this international mobile robotics technology hub aims to promote learning and employment in this discipline, meet the needs of future consumers of robotic solutions and promote environmental sustainability. In addition, the hub is expected to boost the establishment of international mobile robotics companies in Spain, as ARME will provide them with access to human resources specialised in mobile robotics, as well as legal support for the creation of subsidiaries of foreign companies in Spain.

“The creation of this mobile robotics hub will allow us to share knowledge and expand our capabilities in this field to develop the most innovative robotic solutions in demand in the market that help companies to digitally transform and gain in efficiency”, said Elena Gil Lizasoain, global director of product and business operations for IoT and Big Data at Telefónica Tech.

“We see the creation of the international mobile robotics technology hub as a key step towards Spain’s leadership in the world of mobile robotics. The hub will generate more and better technological developments in our country. It will also attract foreign companies, promoting employment in a key sector for our future”, said Javier Miguélez, President of the Spanish Mobile Robotics Association (ARME).

The Spanish Mobile Robotics Association is made up of companies (mobile robotics component or software suppliers, mobile robot manufacturers and mobile robotics consultancies) with at least 51% Spanish capital. Its vision is to make Spain the world leader in mobile robotics and it expects the sector to have a compound annual growth rate of more than 10% over the next five years.