Currently, no other trade fair in Europe places a stronger focus on these topics: drones for military and civilian use, the protection of critical infrastructure and the integration of autonomous systems, robotics and cybersecurity in production, mobility, logistics and many other industrial applications. These are among the core topics of XPONENTIAL Europe, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 24 to 26 March 2026. Demand is correspondingly high: with currently around 360 exhibitors from 43 nations, the second edition of Europe's leading trade fair for autonomous technologies and robotics is already fully booked weeks before it starts. Compared to 2025, this represents an increase of more than 90 per cent.
Autonomous technologies across the entire spectrum
In Exhibition Hall 1, on the outdoor grounds and on the Rhine, XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 will present the entire value chain of autonomous technologies across all dimensions: from sensor technology, components and software to AI-supported control and mission systems to autonomous platforms in the air, on land, at sea, underwater and in space. Compared to the first event, the trade fair is significantly expanding its profile. New areas of focus include security and defence-related applications of uncrewed technologies, human-machine interaction, cooperative autonomy and hybrid and remote-controlled or teleoperated systems. XPONENTIAL Europe is thus positioning itself as the central European meeting place for networked and cross-domain autonomous systems. In addition to market leaders such as Amazon Prime Air, Airbus Helicopters, Rheinmetall, MIRA, Hirth Engines, Volz Servos and Securiton, Germandrones, Honeywell Aerospace, Quantum-Systems and numerous start-ups and scale-ups such as Shield AI and INFINTEQ will also be exhibiting. The German Aerospace Centre (DLR) will also be represented. Seven international country pavilions from China, Israel, Latvia, Spain, Taiwan, Czechia and Ukraine underscore the international orientation of the trade fair. Czechia is represented for the first time with its own national joint stand, in which 25 companies from the fields of autonomous systems, drones, defence and dual-use technologies are participating, including AirView, Dronetag and EAGLE.ONE.
"The great international interest in XPONENTIAL Europe shows how autonomous technologies are gaining in importance in Europe. Today, the industry is looking for more than visibility. It needs orientation, a place for international exchange and concrete application perspectives. This is exactly what XPONENTIAL Europe offers: from real live demonstrations to high-profile keynotes and conferences to questions of regulation and safety. Here, it becomes clear how autonomy is conceived, developed and used in Europe," explains Malte Seifert, Director Metals & Autonomous Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf.
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder opens XPONENTIAL Europe
The patronage of Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder gives the leading European trade fair for autonomous technologies, uncrewed mobility and robotics additional political significance. Schnieder will officially open XPONENTIAL Europe on 24 March 2026 at 9 a.m. in Room 1 of the CCD South at Messe Düsseldorf. His participation underlines the strategic importance of autonomous technologies for mobility, security, critical infrastructure and Europe's competitiveness.
NRW as a driving force for tomorrow's technologies
Numerous exhibitors are using XPONENTIAL Europe specifically to raise the profile of North Rhine-Westphalia as a high-performance location for autonomous technologies, particularly in the interplay between industrial manufacturing, applied research and safety-related applications. NRW is considered one of the leading European regions for industrial digitalisation, autonomous mobility and applied AI. For the first time, the federal state is presenting itself at XPONENTIAL Europe with its own joint state pavilion. The NRW stand offers companies, start-ups and research institutions an international platform for networking, cooperation and market access.
Innovation Theater: Latest technologies live in action
A central element of XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 will be live demonstrations of autonomous systems showcasing technologies under real-world conditions. The audience will experience autonomous mobility, drones, cybersecurity and teleoperation not only as exhibits, but also in operation. Among other things, teleoperated shuttle vehicles from Rheinmetall subsidiary MIRA, drone flights by Quantum-Systems over the Rhine and the autonomous research vessel "NOVA" from the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST) will be on display. Both MIRA and DST are inviting pre-registered visitors to test drives. The Innovation Theater will feature live hacking demonstrations by @YET on a fully automated Tesla. In addition, live demonstrations of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) from EDAG, Topas and Star Robotics are planned. In addition, several unmanned aerial systems will be on display under real operating conditions. The event is being organised by the European industry association UAV DACH in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf, the relevant authorities and Düsseldorf Airport. Droniq is responsible for the technical implementation and coordination with the aid of a digital traffic management system. "We would like to thank our member company Droniq and German Air Traffic Control for enabling us to send this important signal together," explains Dr Gerald Wissel, CEO of UAV DACH. "Together, we will demonstrate that unmanned aerial systems can be safely integrated into controlled airspace within a major German city and in the immediate vicinity of a commercial airport."
Vodafone as "5G Connectivity Partner" enables autonomous applications in real time
Vodafone's private 5G campus network forms the technological backbone of the live demonstrations. As the official Connectivity Partner of XPONENTIAL Europe, the company is providing all exhibitors with a powerful, low-latency infrastructure, creating the conditions for real-time applications, teleoperation and networked autonomous systems in real-world use. This will allow visitors to experience first-hand the key role that reliable connectivity plays in the future of autonomous technologies.
The Innovation Theater in Hall 1 also offers a central stage for practical specialist presentations. From 24 to 26 March 2026, start-ups and other technology providers will present their solutions in the fields of autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber security and networked applications in air, land, water and space. The first day of the event will focus on the topics of the XPO+ Launcher. The second day of the fair will be dedicated to security and defence-related applications of autonomous systems with the Defence Theater. In addition, the Innovation Theater will focus on current technological developments, promote professional exchange and bring together providers, users and investors.
Where technology, regulation and security-related practice meet
The XPONENTIAL Europe conference programme combines technological developments with regulatory, political and security-related issues. International experts, decision-makers and users discuss current trends, share practical experience and provide guidance on the responsible use of autonomous technologies in business, infrastructure and security-related fields of application. The programme includes the XPONENTIAL Europe Conference, organised in cooperation with the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), as well as a high-calibre keynote format with internationally renowned speakers, which brings together exhibitors and trade visitors every day of the exhibition from 9 to 10 a.m. – one hour before the exhibition opens.
“XPONENTIAL Europe is where trusted partners connect to build resilient supply chains and shape the future of autonomy and mobility,” says Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI. “Participants from around the world experience a comprehensive conference program, live technology demonstrations and networking at an international level. At XPONENTIAL Europe, together, we can strengthen our industrial and operational base to secure our supply chains and shape the future.”
The EUROPEAN DRONE FORUM of UAV DACH (Association for Unmanned Aviation) is the leading conference for unmanned aviation in Europe and brings together decision-makers from national and European regulatory authorities with representatives of the drone economy for direct exchange. The EUROPEAN DRONE FORUM will take place on 24 March 2026 at the CCD South.
With the Autonomous Inland & Short Sea Shipping Conference (AISS), XPONENTIAL Europe is adding a maritime focus to its conference programme. The conference will take place on 24 and 25 March 2026 for the first time as part of the trade fair and is being organised by the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST) in collaboration with INAM at the University of Duisburg-Essen and RWTH Aachen University. The focus will be on current developments in autonomous inland and coastal shipping as well as intelligent port and assistance systems. "The exchange of experience among colleagues who deal with autonomous systems – whether on water, rail, road or in the air – is of great importance to us," says Dr. Frédéric Kracht, Head of Autonomous Driving at DST.
The programme also includes other partner conferences and forums, including the Cybersecurity Forum, the Standards Forum and security and defence-related formats such as the German Drone-Defence & Innovation Forum and the high-level dialogue "Defence meets Wirtschaft", which is being held exclusively for invited guests in cooperation with the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany.
Defence with autonomous systems: technology for security and strategic sovereignty
New to the XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 programme are the protection of critical infrastructures, strategic autonomy and the use of autonomous technologies for civil protection and military defence in Europe. A central public format is the German Drone Defence & Innovation Forum of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) – powered by Diehl Defence, which will take place on 25 March 2026 at the Innovation Theater. The forum is accessible without a separate ticket and is aimed at the entire trade fair audience. The main topics are capability development, digitalisation, autonomy, unmanned systems and procurement. "Unmanned systems are now a central factor in modern security and defence architectures. This was clearly demonstrated once again at the Munich Security Conference. It is crucial that we closely integrate operational experience, technological development and political framework setting. That is why the Bundeswehr is here at XPONENTIAL Europe: we are engaging in direct dialogue with research institutions, start-ups and industry, and we look forward to many discussions and contacts," says Rear Admiral Christian Bock, Head of the newly founded Bundeswehr Innovation Center in Erding.
XPO+ Launcher: a stage for start-ups and new business models
With the XPO+ Launcher, XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 is once again integrating its own start-up and innovation zone into the trade fair. The platform is aimed at start-ups and scale-ups in the fields of autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence and sensor technology and brings young technology companies together with industry partners, investors and users. In pitch formats, matchmaking sessions and curated networking opportunities, young companies present their solutions to an international audience of experts and initiate concrete collaborations. One highlight is the XPO+ Launcher Award, where selected start-ups present their innovations live and compete for the award.
