Major investments in defense and security, rapid advances in civilian applications for autonomous systems and a capital market with a strong appetite for technologies that think, steer or navigate independently all point in the same direction: The conditions for XPONENTIAL Europe could hardly be stronger. Launched in Düsseldorf two years ago as a new technology trade show for autonomous systems and robotics, XPONENTIAL Europe has more than doubled the key metrics that matter in the trade show business since lift-off: exhibitors, exhibition space and visitors. Organizers expect further growth for the next edition in March 2027.

We spoke with Malte Seifert, Director Metals & Autonomous Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, about the profile, positioning and outlook of XPONENTIAL Europe.

Question:

Helsing CEO Gundbert Scherf, whose defense startup is currently valued at €18 billion, recently said that people tend to view the future from the perspective of the present and therefore often get it wrong. What do you see when you think about the future of the industry and XPONENTIAL Europe?

Malte Seifert:

First, I am pleased that Germany and Europe have a genuinely strong base of startups and multibillion-euro high-tech companies, including Helsing, Quantum Systems and Germandrones. They show that Germany, despite all the familiar laments about its role as a technology location, remains among the international leaders in research and development. Of course, we also have heavyweights such as Rheinmetall and KNDS. Both are present at XPONENTIAL Europe and are showcasing comprehensive portfolios of unmanned systems.

In the civilian sector, we also have internationally leading clusters in autonomous mobility, the deployment of autonomous systems and New Space. The same applies to a number of German artificial intelligence startups. In Germany, we should stop talking down our technology and innovation base so often. In many areas, the world envies our research and development output and institutions such as RWTH Aachen University, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Fraunhofer Institutes and the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems (DST). This broad foundation is also the basis for XPONENTIAL Europe.

Question:

On the scale of global developments, an even larger dimension comes into view when we look at US tech giants.

Malte Seifert:

Yes. Global technology groups such as SpaceX, Google, Microsoft and Amazon are investing on a massive scale. They are driving disruption worldwide in New Space, mobility and logistics. The stock market shows the enormous forces being unleashed here. They act like particle accelerators: technology, capital and vision come together.

When you take a step back, the bigger picture becomes clear: autonomous systems will give our lives an entirely new shape in the future. We can already see the direction of travel. Amazon Prime Air aims to deliver up to half a billion packages by drone over the next three years. Waymo robotaxis have already covered more than 320 million kilometers in San Francisco, largely without incident. And seaports such as Singapore now have entire logistics chains managed by artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.

I am proud that companies such as Amazon, as well as suppliers involved in the projects mentioned, are represented at XPONENTIAL Europe and on our trade show advisory boards. They help us further develop the event.

Question:

XPONENTIAL Europe also marks a turning point in another respect. Until recently, defense trade shows were taboo in Germany. That has changed since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. How does Messe Düsseldorf approach this shift?

Malte Seifert: 

First, it is important to state that XPONENTIAL Europe was not conceived as a defense trade show and is not one. From the beginning, we positioned the event as a technology platform. In year one, the aim was to move from the profile of a drone show toward a trade show for autonomous mobility and autonomous systems. In year two, the aim was to present and contextualize defense and the protection of critical infrastructure as use cases in the context of dual-use technologies.

That requires a very careful balancing act. In addition to defense and perimeter protection, our largest visitor groups come from agriculture and forestry, logistics and transport, as well as mobility on water, on land and in the air.

In this carefully balanced form, XPONENTIAL Europe has joined the circle of leading global trade shows in this industry after only two editions. Maintaining that balance is crucial for the event’s future development. I am glad we are being given the time to shape this momentum purposefully and with the necessary sensitivity. That is the only way to enable sustainable growth.