Trainings, Seminars & WorkshopsPublished on 13 January 2026

ELROB 2026

Image of a robot with a drone on the roof

Event Date

15
Jun
–
19
Jun
2026
  • Monday 09:30 - Friday 11:00
Thun Military Training Area

From 15 to 19 June 2026, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) will be host to the European Land Robot Trial (ELROB). Over five days, the Military Training Area in Thun will become the setting for deploying land robots in realistic military and civilian scenarios. The event is primarily aimed at robotics users, in particular those from the military as well as authorities and organisations that perform security tasks (BOS), at robotics researchers and industry and offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with international experts.

Event Details

Language of the event

German, English

ELROB’s objective is to have a direct influence on practical applications by realistically demonstrating innovative robotics technology – for example, in the area of life-saving measures. Companies and higher education institutions have the unique opportunity to present their systems in a non-competitive environment. Users can experience the robotics solutions in the latest, real deployment scenarios. The focus will be on robotic systems that can be implemented quickly, so that the current state of the art can be assessed and at the same time specific challenges from practice can be addressed.

The teams, from various different companies and higher education institutions, will present their robotic systems in the four main disciplines of Convoying, Recon, Mule and Search & Rescue (SAR). The focus is now on the combined deployment of unmanned ground vehicles and aircraft in all scenarios. The Thun Military Training Area, with an expanse of around 6.5 square kilometres both the oldest as well as the largest of its kind in Switzerland, offers ideal conditions for this purpose.

ELROB 2026 is the 13th occasion of the event and is taking place in Switzerland for the second time. The host country rotates between the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. ELROB takes place every two years.

Programme for participants

Detailed programme including agenda (subject to changes)

Monday, 15 June 2026 - open for visitors

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Opening ceremony

  • Dr. Thomas Rothacher, Deputy National Armaments Director and Head of Science and Technology
  • Brigadier General Hans-Jakob Reichen, Head of Armed Forces Development
  • Team Introduction
  • Dr. Tobias Vestner, Director of Research and Policy Advice Department and Head of Security and Law at Geneva Centre for Security Policy

12 p.m. Standing lunch

11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Scenario Transport / Convoying

In this scenario, at least two vehicles have to reach a destination. Each vehicle should be able to transport a payload of at least 1500 kg. Only one of the vehicles is manned. Both vehicles should reach the destination as fast as possible and with as much autonomy as possible. You can find more information about the scenarios here.

12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Scenario Search & Rescue/CasEvac

In military operations, evacuation (CasEvac) frequently takes place in hostile environments, while in civil disasters, it is often in difficult and precarious terrain. The deployment of robotic vehicles for localising, collecting and transporting injured persons reduces the risks for task forces in such situations. You can find more information about the scenarios here.

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Exhibition and Presentations of the systems

Registration

Registration for participants/for teams:

  • You will find details and forms for registration at the following link

Registration deadline for teams is 31/01/2026

Registration for visitors for Monday, 15/06/2026: Register by email at elrob@ar.admin.ch

Registration deadline for visitors is 31/05/2026

Please write to the following email address if you have any questions: elrob@ar.admin.ch

Further information