The signs are pointing to growth. Following its successful start, XPONENTIAL Europe is expanding its portfolio. From the upcoming event, the topics of defence and protection of critical infrastructures will be given more space. This is how the leading European trade fair for autonomous technologies and robotics is responding to the growing security policy challenges and the dynamics of the market.
"Dual use" is a term that Malte Seifert, Director of XPONENTIAL Europe, likes to use when talking about what can be seen at XPONENTIAL Europe: sensor technology, microelectronics and software. They are in everything that drives, flies or swims at the trade fair for autonomous technologies and robotics in Düsseldorf. Without these high-tech components and parts, little would work here – neither "Spot", the autonomous robot dog used in disaster control and by military evacuation teams, nor "Grille", the drone currently being tested by the German Armed Forces and earmarked for use in evacuation in the future.
Dual-use technologies characterise the industry
These are examples that show what Malte Seifert means when he talks about dual use: "Artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, cyber defence – today's technologies are often dual use. They can be used for both civil and military purposes." Many autonomous technologies have their origins in the military domain and are then transferred to civilian areas – for example for transporting goods, technical inspections, surveying in agriculture or search and rescue missions.
The successful first edition in February 2025 was attended by 189 companies from 33 nations, including Airbus, BAE Systems from the UK, C-Astral Aerospace, Quantum Systems and Rheinmetall. These focused on civil systems. This is set to change from next year.
Committees give the green light
The defence technology sector will then be able to become part of XPONENTIAL Europe. The Supervisory Board of Messe Düsseldorf has voted in favour of this by a large majority. With this move, the trade fair is responding to the expectations of many companies in the industry. Over 40% of visitors coming to the trade fair premiere stated they were particularly interested in the topics of security, surveillance, inspection and disaster control. With this broadening of scope, the trade fair in Düsseldorf is following the example of XPONENTIAL in the USA.
"At a time when security and defence are key issues in European politics and industry, it is logical to include this area in the portfolio," says Seifert. XPONENTIAL Europe thus creates the platform that NATO and its alliance partners need. However, XPONENTIAL Europe will not become a trade fair for defence technology in the traditional sense: "It will remain an innovative technology trade fair for autonomous systems and robotics. In this function, it will form an important hub for exchange between research, industry, politics and regulation, across the entire spectrum as presented on the market."
Industry association supports decision
For UAV DACH – the Association for Unmanned Aviation, Europe's largest industry association for the drone industry and strategic partner of XPONENTIAL Europe – broadening of the portfolio is a necessary step. This is underlined by CEO Dr. Gerald Wissel: "We have a very fragmented industry today. What we need in Germany and Europe are uniform platforms and standards. These are urgently needed to facilitate exchange between industry and users – whether civilian or military. This is the only way to enable cost-effective "design to production" from the first draft to mass production and fully automated manufacturing processes in large quantities. Right from the start, XPONENTIAL Europe has shown that, as the leading trade fair for autonomous systems, it can assume this function as a platform in Europe. This step is therefore a logical one."
All information on the focal points and programme highlights of the event can be accessed via the online portal: https://www.xponential-europe.com
