The European technology ecosystem is heading towards a new cycle where quantum computing and smart robotics share the spotlightMore than a distant promise, these disciplines are beginning to crystallize into pilot projects, applied research programs, and industrial roadmaps that look directly to 2026 as a key year of consolidation.
From the Catalan technology center Eurecat, a leader in industrial and digital R&D in SpainThe message is clear: automation no longer depends solely on programmed robots, but on a combination of agentic artificial intelligenceReal-world data and advanced computational capabilities, where quantum technology and cognitive robotics feed off each other. The challenge, they insist, lies not only in the laboratory, but also in the ability of companies to anticipate and adapt their processes.
Quantum computing: from theory to the first use cases
For the Eurecat scientific team, Quantum computing is entering a phase where it ceases to be an abstract concept to become a testing tool in very specific sectors. Although they acknowledge that the so-called generalized “quantum advantage” remains a distant prospect, they indicate that it will begin to be seen from 2026 onwards. Limited applications in fields such as pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics.
These scenarios anticipate the combined use of real quantum computers and emulators capable of handling tens of qubitsThese are sufficient to experiment with complex optimization problems or simulations that are inefficient with classical systems. The goal is not yet to replace current data centers, but rather to complement traditional computing with specialized quantum modules that add value to very specific tasks.
Eurecat's vision aligns with the R&D strategies set by the European Union, which It prioritizes the creation of its own quantum infrastructure and the promotion of alliances with industry.For Spanish and European companies, this translates into the opportunity to participate in pilot tests, access experimental platforms, and begin to develop hybrid profiles that understand both business and quantum algorithms.
At the same time, the center's experts emphasize that this transition requires time and planning: Many of the capabilities being developed today will be tested in controlled environments before being scaled to critical services.Even so, the message is that whoever starts exploring now will have a competitive advantage when the technology matures.
Post-quantum cryptography: securing your safety before the risk arrives
The advancement of quantum computers has a less visible but equally relevant side: the need to renew the cryptographic systems that protect sensitive information. Eurecat predicts that 2026 will mark the visible beginning of the migration towards post-quantum cryptography schemesespecially in European organizations exposed to strict regulatory requirements.
This transition aligns with standards and recommendations such as CNSA 2.0 in the United States and the NIS2 regulatory framework in the European UnionThese factors are pushing sectors such as banking, energy, telecommunications, and public administration to review their security architectures. It's not just about incorporating new algorithms, but about rethinking key management, device updates, and interoperability between legacy systems and future solutions.
According to the analysis by Eurecat's Digital Area, Many companies will begin with internal audits to identify which assets are most vulnerable to the future quantum scenario.From there, gradual migration plans will be defined, combining dual-layer solutions (classical and post-quantum) to minimize risks during the transition period.
From a European perspective, this race for post-quantum security also has a strategic interpretation: Whoever controls the standards and benchmark implementations will gain weight in the global cybersecurity marketFor technological ecosystems like Catalonia's, with a strong presence of industrial SMEs and advanced service companies, adapting early can make the difference between leading or lagging behind.
Agency AI and agency web: intelligent agents that interact with each other
One of the most profound changes identified by Eurecat is the transition from generative AI, focused on the production of text, images or code, towards the so-called agentic artificial intelligenceInstead of simply responding to specific instructions, these agents They are capable of planning, coordinating tasks, interacting with other systems, and making decisions within defined limits..
The Digital Area team at the Catalan center has identified 2026 as the year in which This agent-based AI will reach a consolidation phase, accompanied by the incipient deployment of the so-called Agency web or Agentic WebUnder this concept is grouped a set of services, protocols and APIs that will allow different AI agents to communicate with each other in a automated and secure, without constant human intervention.
In practice, this opens the door to scenarios where A logistics specialist negotiates delivery times with another who manages inventories., or industrial maintenance systems where different agents anticipate failures, coordinate replacements and schedule interventions without having to wait for someone to supervise each step.
For European organizations, especially in the industrial environment of Spain, this evolution implies changes in how software is designed, how vendors are integrated, and how data flows are governedIt will not be enough to have a single AI model; it will be necessary to orchestrate ecosystems of agents with differentiated responsibilities and clear rules of interaction.
Eurecat, which already participates in European initiatives in this area, points out that The first agency web pilots will focus on controlled contextssuch as specific supply chains, financial services platforms, or critical infrastructure. The goal will be to validate not only technical feasibility, but also aspects of security, liability, and regulatory compliance.
Physical AI and intelligent robotics: automation moves from paper to workshop
If agent AI operates in the digital realm, The so-called physical AI or embodied AI is the bridge to the real world. Eurecat describes this approach as an artificial intelligence that perceives, reasons, and acts through a body, whether they are industrial robots, autonomous vehicles, AI drones or collaborative arms that share space with operators.
Those in charge of the Industrial Area of the center indicate that the Generative AI models have already consumed virtually all the content available on the internet for their training.Therefore, future improvements must rely on data from direct interaction with physical environments. This need drives the deployment of systems that learn from real-world sensors, cameras, and processes, not just from existing textual or visual information.
In European industry, especially in sectors such as automotivelogistics, component manufacturing, or food production, There is already a base of robots that can be enriched with algorithms from this new paradigmInstead of simply repeating pre-programmed movements, the machines will be able to adjust trajectories, detect anomalies, collaborate with other robots, and react to unforeseen events with greater autonomy.
For Spain and Catalonia, where robotization is advancing but still coexists with a significant presence of manual processes, Zamora FutureLab and other similar initiatives show how This “intelligent robotization” is presented as a way to gain competitiveness without relocating productionHowever, it does require investments in sensors, industrial communications, training, and workflow redesign.
The role of centers like Eurecat is to accompany that transition by pilot projects that allow companies to experiment with physical AI on a small scaleto evaluate returns and then deploy more ambitious solutions. The focus is not only on the factory, but also on areas such as internal logistics, infrastructure maintenance, or assistance in healthcare settings.
Europe as a laboratory for convergence between quantum physics and robotics
The Catalan center's forecasts fit into a European trend that combines quantum computing, advanced automation and industrial digitizationThe EU has been funding programs for years that aim not only to develop technology, but also transferring it to the productive fabric by technology centersuniversities and companies.
In this context, Eurecat acts as intermediary between cutting-edge research and the real needs of Spanish industryHis scientific team insists that the key is to offer companies... ability to anticipate: Identify which technologies will emerge in the coming years, what impact they may have on costs, quality or sustainability, and how to incorporate them without disrupting daily operations.
Pilot projects in Optimization of logistics chains with quantum tools, production lines with cognitive robots, and advanced monitoring systems These are some of the areas where the first steps are already being taken. Although many of these initiatives have not yet reached the general public, They function as a testing ground for models that, if proven effective, can be scaled up nationally and in Europe..
The European approach, moreover, pays special attention to aligning these innovations with the green agenda and decarbonization goalsHence the interest in solutions that not only improve productivity, but also reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and optimize resource use.
In the short term, this will translate into a growing demand for mixed profilesProfessionals capable of understanding robotics, AI, cybersecurity and industrial processes, as well as business managers who can assess the return on investment in emerging technologies.
Against this backdrop, Eurecat's diagnosis for 2026 is that Quantum computing, intelligent robotics, and physical AI will not yet be mainstream technologies.But they will shape the course of innovation in Spain and Europe. Organizations that choose to experiment now, leveraging technology centers and public-private partnerships, will be better positioned when these tools mature and move from pilot programs to daily operations.