EUROBENCH · Project

Standardized Testing Labs That Tell You If Your Robot Actually Works

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eurobench2020.eu

Imagine you build an exoskeleton or a walking robot, but there's no official way to measure how well it performs — like selling cars without crash test ratings. EUROBENCH created Europe's first standardized testing facilities where companies can bring their robots, run them through certified tests, and get objective performance scores. Think of it as a "TÜV for robots" — two dedicated labs with professional test benches, plus software that calculates performance scores you can compare across different machines. Outside teams actually came in, used the facilities at no cost, and validated the whole setup works.

By the numbers

consortium partners across Europe

countries involved (DE, ES, IS, IT, NL)

industry partners in the consortium

SMEs in the consortium

69%

industry ratio in the consortium

total project deliverables

dedicated testing facilities (wearable robots + humanoids)

The business problem

What needed solving

There is no standardized, independent way to test and compare the performance of walking robots, exoskeletons, or prosthetics in Europe. Companies either build expensive in-house tests that nobody else trusts, or skip rigorous benchmarking altogether — which slows down certification, scares off investors, and makes it impossible for buyers to compare products objectively.

The solution

What was built

EUROBENCH built two fully operative testing facilities — one for wearable robots (exoskeletons and prostheses) and one for humanoid robots — with integrated test benches and safety systems. They also developed professional benchmarking software that calculates standardized System Ability Levels, plus a manufactured Reem-C humanoid robot platform available to external users. In total, 15 deliverables were completed.

Audience

Who needs this

Exoskeleton manufacturers preparing products for market or seeking CE certificationProsthetics companies needing independent performance validationHumanoid robotics startups that cannot afford to build their own test infrastructureIndustrial robot integrators looking for standardized performance metrics to compare suppliersInsurance and regulatory bodies that need objective robot safety and performance data

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Exoskeleton & Wearable Robotics

SME

Target: Companies developing industrial or medical exoskeletons

If you are an exoskeleton manufacturer struggling to prove your device outperforms competitors — this project built operative test facilities with integrated test benches specifically for wearable robots. You can benchmark your exoskeleton against standardized metrics instead of relying on in-house claims. The 13-partner consortium across 5 countries already validated the testing methodology with third-party users.

Prosthetics & Rehabilitation

mid-size

Target: Prosthetics companies preparing for CE certification

If you are a prosthetics company spending months navigating pre-certification testing — EUROBENCH developed standardized benchmarking methods and professional software tools designed to bridge the gap from prototype to certification. The system calculates System Ability Levels that map directly to what regulators want to see. With 9 industry partners involved in building the tests, the methods reflect real commercial needs.

Humanoid Robotics & Automation

any

Target: Companies developing bipedal or service robots

If you are a robotics company and need to prove your humanoid robot can walk, balance, and perform reliably — EUROBENCH created a dedicated humanoid testing facility including a Reem-C reference robot platform. Instead of building your own expensive test setups, you can access professional test benches that 4 SME partners helped design for practical use. The benchmarking software works from early research prototypes through to pre-commercial stages.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost my company to use these testing facilities?

During the project, third parties could access the facilities at zero cost for validation purposes. Now that the project has closed (June 2022), access terms would depend on the operating entities. Contact the consortium through their project website for current pricing.

Can these benchmarks scale to test our full product line, not just one prototype?

The system was designed to work across the entire development cycle — from early research prototypes to pre-commercial products. The professional software tool calculates System Ability Levels that apply across different laboratory conditions, so you can test multiple products and compare results consistently.

Who owns the benchmarking methods and software? Can we license them?

This was a publicly funded Research and Innovation Action (RIA), which typically means results are available for broader use. The consortium of 13 partners across 5 countries developed the tools jointly. Specific licensing terms should be discussed with the coordinator, CSIC in Spain.

Does this help with regulatory compliance or CE marking?

EUROBENCH was explicitly designed to prepare robotic systems for certification processes. The standardized tests and performance metrics align with the kind of evidence regulators require. While not a certification body itself, it provides the documented benchmarking data you need before entering formal certification.

How long does a typical benchmarking cycle take?

Based on available project data, the facilities were designed as a one-stop-shop where companies perform standardized tests in a single location, saving resources and time compared to assembling tests across multiple labs. Specific turnaround times would depend on the complexity of the robot being tested.

Can this work for robots beyond exoskeletons and humanoids?

Yes. While EUROBENCH focused primarily on bipedal machines — exoskeletons, prosthetics, and humanoids — the benchmarking methodology was explicitly designed to be easily extended to other robotic domains. The software tool and metrics are domain-flexible.

Consortium

Who built it

The EUROBENCH consortium is unusually industry-heavy at 69%, with 9 out of 13 partners from industry and 4 of those being SMEs. This signals that the project was built around commercial needs, not just academic curiosity. The 5-country spread (Germany, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands) covers key European robotics markets. With only 1 university partner, the emphasis was clearly on building usable infrastructure rather than publishing papers. For a business looking to use these benchmarking tools, this consortium composition means the testing methods were shaped by companies who actually build and sell robots.

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASCoordinator · ES
PAL ROBOTICS SLUparticipant · ES
FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATIONparticipant · ES
RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERGparticipant · DE
ROESSINGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BVparticipant · NL
EMBLA MEDICAL HFparticipant · IS
PKF ATTEST INNCOME SLparticipant · ES
FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAparticipant · IT
IUVO SRLparticipant · IT
ALTRAN INNOVACION SLparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

The coordinator is CSIC (Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas) in Spain — a major national research council. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the right person on the team.

Order a report on this consortium See AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to benchmark your robot or access the testing facilities? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the EUROBENCH team and help you navigate what's available. Contact us for a warm introduction.

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