ELROB 2026: A Tool for Better Understanding Robotic Systems – An Interview with Dr. Markus Höpflinger and Joseph Boucher
From June 15 to 19, 2026, armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) will host the European Land Robot Trial (ELROB). In this interview, the ELROB project managers from armasuisse S+T, Dr. Markus Höpflinger and Joseph Boucher, discuss the significance of ELROB for Switzerland, the added value of international exchange, as well as opportunities for research, technology development, and future collaborations.
Interview conducted by Leandra Kolb, Staff, Science and Technology
Markus, could you please briefly explain what exactly ELROB is?
Markus: For me, ELROB is a tool for testing unmanned ground vehicles under realistic conditions. This allows us to better assess how mature the technology is for the intended application. Since glossy brochures and staged videos often give us a distorted perception of what is truly possible, ELROB helps us better understand the real-world situation.
In your view, what makes ELROB particularly valuable for armasuisse S+T as the host?
Markus: The international exchange is particularly valuable, both with participants from other countries and with our own military personnel. It is particularly exciting to see where other nations stand in terms of ground robotics and whether we still have blind spots in research or technology development.
Joseph: International exchange with international partners also strengthens our strategic visibility in European security robotics. At the same time, we can observe the latest state of the art in technology, identify trends early on, and leverage them specifically for our own developments.
What motivates you to take the lead at this year’s ELROB? What do you hope this participation will achieve for Switzerland?
Markus: We see the event as very exciting, efficient, and effective, which is why we’re certainly not lacking in motivation. I hope that something sustainable emerges from ELROB, such as successful collaboration in the field of research and technology development.
Joseph: Through ELROB, we aim to gain further insights into how robotics must evolve to make a sustainable contribution to security. At the same time, the event should provide guidance on how security forces can adapt to new technologies and operational scenarios in the future.
During this one week, researchers, industry representatives, and end-users come together face-to-face. Why is this direct exchange so crucial for technological progress?
Markus: What’s crucial is gaining insights that can’t be gleaned from brochures or the websites of the participating organizations. For example, insights into communication protocols, software architectures, or new approaches to autonomous navigation. At the same time, it’s also exciting to see which areas other nations recognize as having great potential.
Joseph: Applied research requires regular interaction with end-users so that systems can leave the lab and be transferred to real-world operating environments.
For years, Switzerland has repeatedly been recognized as the most innovative country in the world. Switzerland is also known as the “Silicon Valley of Robotics.” What does this mean specifically for robotics research? How does the Swiss higher education landscape compare internationally in the field of robotics?
Markus: I think Switzerland is exceptionally well-positioned internationally in certain dual-use sectors, particularly in robotics. We have a very high density of startups and are represented at major international robotics conferences at an above-average rate. We also see that large multinational corporations have established research and development units in close proximity to the technical universities. This clearly speaks in favor of Switzerland as a technology hub.
Joseph: The higher education landscape is very strong in the field of robotics research. Swiss laboratories at universities and universities of applied sciences are continuously producing world-leading results. The real challenge lies in making the leap from basic research to application, industrializing the technologies, and ensuring they are ready for procurement and deployment.
The geopolitical situation has been escalating for years. As a result, cooperation is becoming increasingly important, especially in Europe.
What strategic significance does cross-border cooperation hold for the development and testing of new security technologies?
Markus: In my view, cross-border cooperation in the field of security is becoming increasingly important, ranging from joint research to procurement, education, and training. I believe we should work toward establishing something unique in Switzerland that attracts international interest and that we can contribute to international cooperation.
What role does ELROB play in the context of security policy cooperation or technological sovereignty in the DACH region?
Joseph: ELROB serves as an interface that facilitates contact between researchers, industry, and the armed forces in the DACH region. This exchange lays the groundwork for identifying synergies between research and industry and deriving valuable insights and concrete use cases from them.
What long-term impact do you expect for international cooperation and for security-related research in Switzerland?
Markus: It would be desirable to establish long-term international cooperation stemming from ELROB that creates a genuine win-win situation for all parties involved. This would allow Switzerland’s security-related research to establish a presence abroad and make a concrete contribution to Switzerland’s security in the long term.
Joseph: We all face very similar challenges. International cooperation could foster a culture of collaborative problem-solving by looking beyond national borders more often, sharing test infrastructures, and systematically disseminating insights from real-world operations.
Looking back at this year’s event: Where do you see the most lasting impacts of the event?
Markus: We hope to gain insights that will help us improve—whether in preparation for the next ELROB in Switzerland, in establishing new partnerships, or in identifying directions for the strategic focus of military research, for example. At the same time, we naturally also hope to present Switzerland in a positive light abroad, which can open doors in the long term.