Europe Recognises Project from the Liberec Region. Social Robot Robic Wins Professional Community Award

When it first appeared in social services in Jablonec nad Nisou last year, it sparked curiosity. Today, this successful cross-border cooperation with Spanish partners from Madrid has reached another important milestone. The project involving Robic, an AI-based social robot that helps clients with autism spectrum disorders in the Liberec Region, has received the prestigious EDIH Community Award in Brussels. In a vote by the European community of digital innovation hubs, the project succeeded among more than 70 entries from across Europe and ranked among the most successful examples of artificial intelligence being used in public services.

The award was announced at the EDIH Summit 2026 in Brussels in June, attended by more than 700 experts, representatives of the European Commission, European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and public administration from across Europe. Their votes, cast directly on site, determined the winner. In the final round, Robic prevailed over four other innovations from Spain, Italy, and Finland.

“We are extremely pleased that a project from the Liberec Region attracted attention in such strong European competition. At the same time, this is not merely an award for a single technology. The European professional community primarily recognised the fact that an innovation was successfully transferred from the laboratory into real life and that its benefits were verified directly in social services across different European markets. This is exactly what the activities of European Digital Innovation Hubs are about,” says Edvard Kožušník, statutory Deputy Governor of the Liberec Region for Economic and Strategic Development.

From the Liberec Region to Brussels

Robic was introduced into social care facilities in the Liberec Region through the EDIH Northeast Bohemia project at the Regional Development Agency of the Liberec Region, as part of the Test before Invest service. This service enables organisations to try out new technologies in practice before making an investment. Special thanks go to the social service organisations that took part in Robic’s journey through the Liberec Region and where this unique technology was tested in real-life settings: Domov a centrum denních služeb Jablonec nad Nisou, Slunce všem, Domov Raspenava, Aposs Liberec, and Jedličkův ústav Liberec.

Robic became part of therapy sessions, exercises, and other activities with clients, helping to develop their communication, concentration, and motor skills. It was also one of the first uses of an AI-powered social robot in Czech social services.

“The European evaluators were probably impressed by the successful cooperation between different EDIHs - EDIH Madrid Region and our EDIH Northeast Bohemia - and by the fact that a certified European technology developed by the Spanish company Inrobics was brought directly into social service practice, with its benefits verified in everyday work with clients both here and in Spain. The European Commission has included it among examples of good practice that can inspire other regions across the European Union, which makes us very pleased,” adds Petr Dobrovský, Managing Director of the Regional Development Agency of the Liberec Region.

Robic remains in the Region

What began as free testing funded by the EDIH Northeast Bohemia project will continue even after the project ends. Based on operational experience, the Liberec Region has decided to finance the further rental of the robot.

“At the beginning, we wanted to find out whether this type of technology could also find its place in social services. The experience gained and the positive feedback from practice - both from the management of our contributory organisations and from the carers themselves - showed that it certainly can. Increased motivation is an important factor. Clients often prefer exercising with Robic rather than with carers, for whom this also provides a certain relief from demanding work. Repeated exercises with Robic, tailored by carers to individual needs, are beneficial for clients. That is why we have decided to support the continued use of this technology in our region,” adds Anna Provazníková, Member of the Regional Council responsible for social affairs.

Who is Robic?

Robic is a social robot using artificial intelligence that helps in work with people with autism and/or dementia. The robot collects and evaluates clients’ responses during exercises and activities designed to develop cognitive functions, and then uses AI to provide feedback to staff. It serves as a support tool for therapeutic activities - as an EU-certified therapeutic aid - as well as activation activities, but it does not replace human care. It supports professional staff in their work with clients and complements standard therapeutic and activation activities.