AMSTERDAM and DELFT, THE NETHERLANDS; July 11, 2016 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and RoboValley, an innovation hub for robotics located at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, have announced a five-year collaboration designed to advance the development of the next generation of robotics technology. Accenture will invest €500,000 to facilitate international robotics research and development and knowledge sharing, becoming RoboValley’s Crown Partner.

To support Accenture’s Artificial Intelligence business, Accenture and RoboValley will conduct joint robotics research that will establish industry best practices for incorporating robotics into large enterprises, including developing proof-of-concepts and cutting-edge industry use cases. Together they will host innovation workshops for clients to explore new opportunities to use robotics to augment their current workforce and create new opportunities to grow their businesses.


Pierre Nanterme, chairman and CEO of Accenture, visits with RoboValley robotics researchers in Delft, the Netherlands

“Developments in the area of robotics are moving ultra-fast,” said Frank Rennings, managing director and Technology lead at Accenture Netherlands. “Organizations are recognizing its importance in driving us into the fourth industrial revolution and are increasingly leveraging the technology to make business operations more efficient and to enhance customer service. We strongly believe in the concept of RoboValley, with research, entrepreneurs and startups all in one place, as part of our commitment to open innovation. Our collaboration will help us speed innovation and bring new applications to market faster. In addition, we can now take our clients to RoboValley, so that they can experience for themselves the latest developments and, above all, be inspired by them.”

Accenture teams with RoboValley to advance the development of robotics technology

“RoboValley in Delft, the Netherlands helps robotics companies and startups create next generation robots and bring them to market,” said Arthur de Crook, Business Development Manager at RoboValley. “Through Accenture’s international network, RoboValley will have direct access to a large number of companies faced with robotization issues. The collaboration also enables us to increase our visibility as an international knowledge center. Together with Accenture and our 170 robotics researchers, we will be publishing global reports on the latest developments in robotics.”

About RoboValley

In RoboValley, more than 170 robotics researchers from various disciplines work closely with other experts, entrepreneurs and decision-makers in both the public and private sectors. This has resulted in a unique, quickly developing network, with TU Delft Robotics Institute at its heart. This means RoboValley is able to take a leading role in the development of next-generation robotics. In addition to more established robotics companies, RoboValley currently houses 30 robotics startups. It is expected that, in the coming ten years, 15,000 to 25,000 jobs will be created in RoboValley, requiring 250,000 to 360,000m² in office and laboratory space for these robotics companies.