Humans and Robots Will Work Side by Side in the Future of Industry

Conference news, Industry News

I am not just a machine executing commands; I am a glimpse into the future — a future where humans and robots work side by side,” said Robert the Robot at the “Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026: The Future of Industry, Technology and Mobility.” The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a media partner of the event. Robert is a humanoid AI robot designed to communicate with people. What makes him different is not only the technology, but his ability to learn, interact, and be part of the real world. Through him, his creator Metodi Dimitrov, co-founder of RB Labs, addressed the audience in the hall, saying that over the past five years the world has been fundamentally transformed by artificial intelligence. What once seemed like science fiction is now an industry that is reshaping our world in real time. “One of the most exciting moments for me is the beginning of humanoid robot production,” Dimitrov said. He added that in just a few years the industry has moved from prototypes to industrial-scale production. Dimitrov predicts that this is only the beginning and that robots will enter every field — from construction and the automotive industry, through complex medical procedures, to everyday tasks. According to him, it is understandable that many people are worried about being replaced by robots, but history has already provided an answer — when the automobile appeared, more than 99 percent of coachmen lost their jobs, yet society did not just survive, it prospered. New industries, new professions, and new opportunities emerged, the inventor emphasized. “The future will not be defined only by technology, but by the people who use it,” Dimitrov said. “I have met many young Bulgarians, I spoke with them, including Robert — they are ready to compete, ready to win, and to put Bulgaria on the map of this new industry,” he added. Dimitrov also said that Bulgaria may not have a car brand, and perhaps never will, but “let us make sure that Bulgaria has a robotics brand.” Robert stated that he does not believe robots will fully replace humans. According to him, humans have something that cannot be fully programmed — emotion, intuition, creativity. Robots will take over heavy, dangerous, and repetitive tasks, while humans will focus on ideas, solutions, and creation. The real strength lies in the collaboration between humans and artificial intelligence, the robot believes. When asked whether he would trust an autonomous vehicle, Robert said yes — but only if the technology is well tested and controlled. He noted that most accidents today are caused by human error, distraction, fatigue, and emotions. Machines do not get tired and react in milliseconds, but we are still in a phase where humans must remain part of control, he said. According to him, trust in technology is earned through time and safety. Robert believes that in the coming years humanoid robots will increasingly enter manufacturing. The reason is simple — factories are built for humans, and a humanoid robot can use the same tools, move in the same environment, and work alongside people without requiring changes to infrastructure. This will make production faster, more precise, and more efficient. According to Robert, within 5 to 10 years the presence of humanoid robots in automotive factories will become completely normal. He noted that major companies are already investing billions in humanoid robots for their factories. Initially, they will assist in logistics, parts handling, and repetitive processes, and later they will take on more complex tasks.

Security in Southeast Europe Is Becoming a Strategic and Economic Priority

Conference news, Industry News

An analysis of defense and security in Southeast Europe was presented during the international conference “Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026,” organized by Automotive Cluster Bulgaria at Sofia Tech Park, with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) as a media partner. The analysis was presented by Ralitsa Vaseva, Head of Projects at SeeNext Insights. Vaseva stated that the period of relative stability in Southeast Europe ended following the war in Ukraine, and security has once again become central to European policy. According to her, this does not mean the region is on the brink of war, but rather that countries need to become “better prepared, more connected, and more resilient.” She noted that, according to the analysis, defense is no longer viewed solely as an expense, but also as an economic and strategic driver. “We are witnessing the shift from passive security to active preparedness,” Vaseva said. According to her, NATO and EU membership remain essential, but each country must also develop its own capabilities — including military forces, infrastructure, industry, technology, and resilience. The analysis examines Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia as key countries for regional security. According to the presented data, Greece remains the leading military power in Southeast Europe due to its strategic location and the importance of its navy and air force. Romania was identified as NATO’s logistics hub in the region and the largest beneficiary under the SAFE mechanism, receiving nearly EUR 16.7 billion. Regarding Bulgaria, Vaseva emphasized the country’s role as an industrial hub for the production of weapons and ammunition. She pointed out that the war in Ukraine has demonstrated how important manufacturing capacity and supply chains are. “European security no longer depends only on who possesses equipment, but on who can produce, maintain, and deliver,” she said. According to the analysis, infrastructure is also becoming a security factor. Vaseva noted that roads, railways, ports, and bridges now have a defense function as well, since they must allow for the rapid movement of equipment, troops, and resources. She emphasized that Bulgaria is a natural corridor between Greek ports, Romania, and the Black Sea, making its transport infrastructure strategically important for NATO’s eastern flank. Among the key elements of the new security environment are energy independence and digital readiness. Vaseva stated that LNG terminals, gas interconnectors, and electricity transmission networks are now considered part of national security. According to her, cybersecurity, secure communication networks, and cyber incident response teams are becoming essential components of modern defense preparedness. She also presented data on the development of the defense industry in the region. According to the analysis, while revenues of the largest companies in Southeast Europe declined by 3.2 percent, leading defense companies recorded annual growth of more than 30 percent in 2024. According to her, Bulgaria plays an important role in the region’s defense industry, particularly in the production of weapons and ammunition. She gave the example of the increased revenues of Arsenal between 2021 and 2024, which demonstrate that the Bulgarian defense industry “is not part of the past, but an active sector in today’s European defense environment.” The presentation also focused on the technological transformation of defense, including drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, satellite technologies, and C4I systems.

Electrification and Digitalization Are Rapidly Transforming the Automotive Industry — Dimitar Dimitrov

Conference news, Industry News

The automotive industry is changing at an extremely rapid pace, while electrification, digitalization, and changing consumer behavior are already transforming the market, said Dimitar Dimitrov, Senior Manager in Technology Strategy & Transformation at Deloitte CE, during the international conference Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026. The forum is organized by Automotive Cluster Bulgaria and takes place at John Atanasoff Innovation Forum in Sofia Tech Park. Dimitrov pointed out that the speed of change in the sector is so great that market research often becomes outdated even before it is presented. According to him, the industry must adapt to “a much faster way of living, working, and manufacturing.” He presented data from the company’s global consumer survey, conducted for more than 15 years and tracking trends in the automotive industry. According to the analysis, key topics years ago already included hybrid vehicles, shared mobility, and autonomous driving, while today these trends have either become reality or are in active development. According to Dimitrov, China has made a major breakthrough in the automotive industry, doubling its sales over the last five years and becoming one of the leading players in the global market. At the same time, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles have increased significantly, with the strongest growth observed in China. Dimitrov noted that by 2030, overall vehicle sales are expected to grow at a slower pace compared to forecasts from several years ago, but the share of electrified vehicles will continue to increase. Among the key trends, he highlighted changing loyalty toward automotive brands. According to him, in some markets, especially China, consumers are far more willing to switch car brands when making their next purchase due to the large selection of manufacturers and models. Dimitrov pointed out that consumers perceive electric vehicles as an opportunity for a better user experience, access to new technologies, and lower fuel costs. More and more consumers expect faster charging and greater battery range, while the industry is already working on next-generation batteries with even longer range. He emphasized that alongside the growing interest in electric vehicles, there are still serious concerns related to battery safety, the risk of failures or fires, and the high cost of battery replacement. According to him, the development of charging infrastructure is among the key factors for expanding the electric vehicle market. Based on the presented data, most consumers prefer charging their vehicles at home, but they also expect a well-developed public charging network, including stations at fuel stations. Dimitrov noted that charging costs remain one of consumers’ main concerns, which is why many EV owners prefer home charging. He also pointed out that mobile applications and digital payments are increasingly being used for EV charging. According to him, the automotive industry is entering a phase of stronger digitalization, including software-defined vehicles and remote software updates. Some markets see these technologies as a major opportunity, while others remain more cautious due to concerns related to security and data privacy. He also pointed out that after the pandemic, the costs of purchasing, maintaining, and leasing vehicles have risen significantly, while consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the price and quality of the technologies they receive. According to Dimitrov, the way people buy cars is also changing. Although dealerships remain the preferred purchasing channel, online searches and internet-based vehicle purchases are becoming increasingly widespread across different markets. БТА

Europe’s Automotive Industry Is Losing Market Share Amid Electrification Shift — Tommy Ver Elst

Conference news, Industry News

Europe’s automotive industry is losing market share, while electrification is reshaping supply chains and manufacturing, said Tommy Ver Elst during the international conference Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026. The forum is organized by Automotive Cluster Bulgaria and takes place at John Atanasoff Innovation Forum in Sofia Tech Park. According to Ver Elst, the automotive sector continues to play a key role in the European economy, accounting for around 7 percent of Europe’s GDP and providing employment to approximately 13 million people directly and indirectly across the European Union. He noted that electrification represents a major transformation for the industry, but the momentum behind it is coming mainly from China rather than Europe. According to him, most electric vehicle batteries are produced in China, placing European manufacturers in a more challenging position. Ver Elst pointed out that 2025 marks a turning point for the sector, as for the first time more cars produced in China are being imported into Europe than European-made cars exported to China. In his view, this is leading to declining production volumes and a shrinking global market share for Europe’s automotive industry. According to him, around 80 percent of the components in internal combustion engine vehicles are still produced in Europe, while in electric vehicles the share of European-made content falls below 50 percent and, according to recent analyses, reaches approximately 45 percent. Ver Elst also noted that Europe remains the only major market that has not yet recovered car sales to pre-COVID-19 levels. He stressed that the industry must remain pragmatic and realistic about the challenges in order to turn them into opportunities. According to him, one of the main objectives of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria is to support the country’s automotive ecosystem and work toward attracting new investments. Among the sector’s main priorities, Ver Elst highlighted the need for a stable and predictable tax system. He stated that, in the industry’s view, the government should focus on improving tax collection and reducing the shadow economy rather than increasing taxes. He also commented on the proposed incentives for research and development, describing them as a step in the right direction, but still insufficient compared to levels in other European countries. Ver Elst drew attention to the increase in wages in Bulgaria in recent years. According to him, continued double-digit wage inflation is limiting the industry’s ability to raise productivity quickly enough to offset rising costs. He emphasized the need for more effective use of state aid for businesses, noting that Bulgaria remains among the countries with the lowest levels of state support in the European Union. Among the main challenges for investors, Ver Elst pointed to administrative procedures and the lack of sufficient digitalization. According to him, Bulgaria can no longer rely solely on low labor costs to attract investment, but must instead offer faster and more coordinated administrative services. He added that a more centralized approach between different state institutions is needed when supporting new investments and business projects. Ver Elst also stated that Automotive Cluster Bulgaria will continue working on the exchange of best practices among companies, the development of sector partnerships, and support for the European “Industrial Acceleration Act,” which, according to him, could create better conditions for the automotive industry in Europe. БТА

Innovation and Growth Through Transformation — Iliya Lingorski

Conference news, Industry News

The potential energy of shocks should be transformed into a kinetic impulse for innovation, higher productivity, and growth, recommended Iliya Lingorski, Member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), during the forum “Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2026: The Future of Industry, Technology and Mobility.” The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a media partner of the event. Lingorski recalled that six or seven years ago, when he moderated an EU forum, there were no indications that the EU industry, as well as both the national and European economies, would go through a series of historically significant disruptions. “And yet, here we are today, surprisingly in much better shape than my fellow economists had predicted,” he commented. According to Lingorski, the last five years have been highly instructive. Following COVID-19, the global economy was hit by a succession of shocks, each large enough to trigger a severe recession — a global pandemic causing catastrophic supply chain disruptions, the bloodiest land war on the European continent since World War II, which ended the era of cheap and stable energy in Europe, the most severe inflation shock in 15 years, tariff increases unseen since the 1930s, and now a military conflict that has disrupted the world’s main oil chokepoint. “Together, these shocks have been relentless,” the financier noted. Lingorski stated that policymakers responded decisively with fiscal and monetary measures of unprecedented scale, while the private sector adapted in ways that microeconomists had not anticipated. Supply chains were reconfigured, companies diversified resources, and the digitalization of trade made a quantum leap, particularly in the year following COVID, he pointed out. At the same time, household balance sheets remained stable, supporting consumption and confidence. Lingorski emphasized that the financial sector, having recently gone through a global financial crisis, had been reformed, well-capitalized, and stable. “In fact, the banking system and capital markets became part of the solution rather than part of the problem with the potential to exponentially worsen it,” he said. He also acknowledged the role of “luck” — namely the decline in energy prices at a time when there were fears they would continue rising following Europe’s 2022–2023 energy crisis. “Counter-shocks arrived exactly when we needed them,” Lingorski commented. According to him, without Germany’s fiscal expansion and the pre-positioning of experts before the announcement of the new U.S. tariffs, Europe would most likely already be in recession. Lingorski noted that the eurozone economy had been growing steadily until the latest oil supply disruption and energy price shock. At the beginning of the year, the outlook was moderately positive, interest rates were close to neutral levels, and inflation was near target, he said. More recently, however, growth forecasts were revised downward to a modest 0.9 percent for the current year, while inflation remains above target. “This is a particularly difficult combination, especially for central banks and policymakers,” Lingorski stated. According to him, if energy supply disruptions continue long enough, the adjustment will shift from prices to rationing. Regarding inflation in Bulgaria, Lingorski recalled that it stood at 6.8 percent in April, noting that while the external shock is the same, “the internal amplifiers are our own.” According to him, three structural factors are driving prices upward. First, the structure of the economy — Bulgaria’s higher energy intensity and greater dependence on imports lead to a faster and stronger transmission of external price shocks. Second, the business environment and institutional framework — when competition is limited, prices rise faster and normalize more slowly, making inflationary processes more persistent. Third, fiscal policy has amplified rather than softened the economic cycle, Lingorski said. Wage growth in the public sector has outpaced productivity, while automatic indexation mechanisms have further intensified the effect. Under conditions of constrained supply, this translates directly into secondary inflationary pressure. Lingorski pointed out that Bulgaria simultaneously has a well-capitalized, liquid, and profitable banking system above EU average levels, alongside a persistent fiscal deficit and accelerating public debt growth. “The direction and pace of debt dynamics are just as important as the current level,” he explained. This directly affects the automotive sector as well, making the planning horizon more uncertain and investment decisions more expensive. According to Lingorski, the automotive sector has a major role to play in electric mobility, as it is no longer merely part of Europe’s environmental agenda, but is becoming a key pillar of the continent’s future energy security. He added that Europe’s structural gap must also be closed — the single market still needs to be completed, as significant barriers remain. Lingorski also noted that European capital markets remain too shallow. Europe saves more than any other region, but these savings do not efficiently reach the productive investments the economy needs. Fiscal space has narrowed, and almost every policy response over the past four years — including stimulus measures, subsidies, industrial policy, and defense spending — has carried inflationary consequences. This, he argued, means tighter control over current spending, limiting non-targeted expenditure increases, rebuilding fiscal buffers, and ending automatic indexation mechanisms. “The lesson from the global financial crisis is that austerity measures are not the way forward. The path ahead is accelerating growth driven by productivity, and productivity is driven by innovation,” he commented. According to Lingorski, the last five years have taught valuable lessons about energy dependence, the limits of fiscal space, and the fragility of supply chains, but also about the resilience of the private sector when supported by the right macroeconomic policies.