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Insight

Denmark: a robot enthusiastic nation

Insight

Denmark: a robot enthusiastic nation

Denmark is among the countries in the world with the highest density of robots per employee. Despite its small size, Denmark is at the forefront of robotics research, development and end user support.

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Examining the density of robots per employee, Denmark is ranked sixth in the world according to the World Robot Statistic Report 2017 by the International Federation of Robotics.



For a country without an active automobile industry, this ranking is impressive. In fact, if one compares countries without an active automobile industry, only Singapore surpass Denmark on a global scale in terms of the number of robots per employee according to the World Robot Statistic Report 2017.



A strong robotics and automation cluster in and around the Danish city of Odense and several knowledge institutions and universities focusing on research and education within this industry including the Technical University of Denmark and Aalborg University supports Denmark’s top position in the World Robot Statistic Report 2017.

Denmark has a long tradition of being at the forefront in regards to adopting digital solutions as part of daily life and work. This positive and open attitude towards digital technology is one of the key elements when it comes to an increased use of robotics and automated solutions in companies in Denmark. Of course also the need for companies to stay competitive on a global marked is of great relevance.

Jesper Algren, Tech Special Advisor

Invest in Denmark

Danes welcome robots

The International Federation of Robotics expects an average growth rate of 20–25% in the robotics industry worldwide from 2018 – 2020.



In Denmark, the robotics ecosystem is already well equipped for the future. According to a new survey, conducted among all EU countries, the Danish population has one of Europe’s most open and positive attitudes toward using robots and digital solutions in both their work and everyday life.



Furthermore, this is supported by Denmark’s top raking on the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2017, highlighting an outstanding use of digital technologies by companies and citizens.



For example, while 30% of the average populations in the EU belief that it will take more than 20 years before it will become normal for robots to do housework, 27% of the Danish population expect this to happen within the next five years.



Mikkel Christoffersen, Business Manager at Odense Robotics, point to the existence of a well-educated workforce in Denmark to be among the reasons for the positive attitude towards robots. 

In Denmark, we welcome changes due to our high educational level. Another important factor, one need to take into account in order to understand the widespread positive attitude in Denmark, is the fact that the Danish labour unions are positive towards robotics. They acknowledge that robotics can increase the number of jobs in Denmark.

Mikkel Christoffersen, Business Manager

Odense Robotics

Numerous Danish research and educational institutions play an important part in this development.

Among these are Aalborg University and the Technical University of Denmark offering university degrees with a specific focus on robotics.

In addition to this, the University of Southern Denmark just expanded their robotics research field to include medical robot technology and robot welfare technology and at the Danish Centre for Robot Technology, which is part of the Danish Technological Institute, where robot experts work on research and development on a daily basis.

Our focused investments in robotics research and education is supported by the Danish governments new ‘Digital Growth Strategy’, which allocates 134 million EUR to secure and enhance Denmark’s position as an attractive digital hub. It will provide a boost to the Danish tech ecosystem and improve conditions for businesses to be able to utilise the full benefits of new technologies.

Denmark – a dense robotics centre in Europe

In and around the city of Odense on Funen, Denmark, more than 120 companies are working with robotics and automation, approximately 3200 specialised employees and more than 40 education programmes make Odense one of the world’s top 10 eco-systems for robotics and automation.

The ecosystem is facilitated by the Danish cluster organisation, Odense Robotics, who work to develop and support it by delivering platforms and tools for rrecruitment, business development, start-ups, market insight and investor relations. 

There are a wealth of reasons as to why Odense has the strongest robotics ecosystem in Europe. The opportunities for start-ups to create a commercial success, a unique tradition for collaboration, the presence of already well-established companies severing as role models, an increasing interest from investors and a joint effort to attract talents are just some of the highlights of our world-class high-tech cluster eco-system.

Mikkel Christoffersen, Business Manager

Odense Robotics

In 2017, Odense Robotics received the Cluster Management Excellence Label GOLD as the first robotics cluster in the world.

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Contact

Do you want to know more?

If you want to know more about the Danish robotics industry or how we can help your company establish in Denmark, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated advisor:

Copenhagen

  • Sarina Lohmann

    Title: Special Advisor – Maritime and transport – Analysis & Partnerships

    Area: Copenhagen

    Phone: +4533920423

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