How can professional robotics be made visible, accessible and tangible in bricks-and-mortar retail? This is the question ElectronicPartner and Terra Robotics aim to answer with a joint pilot project. The initiative launches in time for IFA 2026 at the MEDIMAX store in Berlin-Pankow, featuring a compact shop-in-shop concept for service robotics.
The focus is deliberately not on creating a conventional retail outlet, but on showcasing an emerging technology and exploring its acceptance among consumers. Visitors can discover and experience a range of robotics solutions in a real-world retail environment and learn about specific applications. At launch, three systems will be on display that are already being used in professional settings today: an autonomous cleaning robot for larger areas, a reception robot for the hospitality, hotel and retail sectors, and an intelligent sweeping robot for industrial and commercial applications.
From the Showroom into Everyday Life
Until now, many people have encountered robotics primarily at trade fairs, events or specialised showrooms. The pilot project in Berlin-Pankow takes a different approach: the technology is being showcased where people encounter new products and technologies as part of their everyday lives – right in the heart of bricks-and-mortar retail.
With this initiative, ElectronicPartner and Terra Robotics aim to proactively explore how robotics can be presented and explained in specialist retail and how visitors respond to these new technologies. At the same time, interested business owners and commercial customers will have the opportunity to explore specific use cases and receive advice on the potential applications of professional robotics.
“With this pilot project, we are making service robotics tangible for our members and prospective customers. For us, it is an important step towards developing a new business area in specialist retail together with strong partners, built on sustainable value creation,” says ElectronicPartner Executive Board Member Matthias Assmann.
Berlin as the Pilot – Further Locations Already Planned
MEDIMAX is ElectronicPartner’s franchise retail brand, standing for high-quality products and comprehensive customer advice. The store in Berlin-Pankow will serve as the pilot site and reference location for subsequent sites. ElectronicPartner, MEDIMAX and Terra Robotics intend to use insights gained from day-to-day operations to continuously develop the concept: Which solutions attract the most interest? What questions do visitors ask? How much advice do they require? And what requirements will retailers face if they want to establish robotics as a new business area in the future?
At the same time, the expansion of the project to additional locations is already being prepared. “Berlin is our visible starting point, but it is not the end of the project. Our goal is to establish a nationwide network by the end of the year, making robotics accessible to customers at a regional level,” explains Henning Lohmann, Director Business Development Robotics at ElectronicPartner Austria. In future, businesses should be able to discover robotics not only at trade fairs or through central contacts, but also gain regional access to advice, demonstrations, sales and, ultimately, service.
Experiencing the Technology and Breaking Down Barriers
Terra Robotics is actively supporting the project as a technology and solutions partner, contributing its experience from a range of robotics and automation projects. “The technology needs to become visible and available locally if we are to develop a genuine market around it. Specialist retail offers ideal conditions for this: proximity to customers, personal advice and established service structures,” explains Murat Arpaci, Managing Director of Terra Robotics.
Launch Around IFA
The shop concept will be installed at the MEDIMAX store in Berlin-Pankow around the IFA dates. ElectronicPartner and Terra Robotics are inviting representatives of the trade press and interested retailers to visit the pilot site and discuss the opportunities for robotics in specialist retail. Selected systems from Terra Robotics will also be demonstrated live at ElectronicPartner’s IFA stand in the CityCube. In addition, interested specialist retailers can take part in a roughly two-hour robotics tour covering the most relevant manufacturers, deliberately focusing on brands that can actually be sourced through Terra. Those looking to explore the subject in greater depth can do so after IFA on 9 and 10 September in Löhne, at the Open House hosted by Terra Robotics and comTeam, ElectronicPartner’s technology network. Members of the group will be able to experience cleaning, service and reception robots live, receive concise information on market opportunities and revenue models, and have their own personalised announcement video produced for direct communication with their customers.
![[Translate to englisch:] Ki-generierte Beispieloptik Robotik-Präsnetation im MEDIMAX Markt](/fileadmin/_processed_/f/3/csm_MEDIMAX_Robotik_Mock-up_2_91d8863b12.jpeg "[Translate to englisch:] Ki-generierte Beispieloptik Robotik-Präsnetation im MEDIMAX Markt")
![[Translate to englisch:] Henning Lohmann, Director Business Development Robotics bei ElectronicPartner Österreich](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/0/csm_Henning_Lohmann_quer_016ffdf9fd.jpg "[Translate to englisch:] Henning Lohmann, Director Business Development Robotics bei ElectronicPartner Österreich")