If control was the language of the 20th century, coexistence will define the 21st. The next wave of industrial progress will be built on a more sustainable, human and resilient way of creating value – and Europe has the potential to lead this progress globally, as Fernando Colás, chief executive officer at OMRON Industrial Automation […]
FANUC UK’s vice managing director, Andy Armstrong, has highlighted the importance of sustainability and automation in driving a resilient, smart and globally competitive UK manufacturing sector. Speaking on the first day of ‘The Future of Precision Engineering’ event – held at FANUC’s Coventry headquarters on 27-29 January 2026 to showcase the latest advances in injection […]
With Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 just around the corner, Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, argues that robotics innovation is key to productivity, resilience and long-term packaging sector growth – and why a cultural shift is long overdue. As the saying goes, if you’re not moving forwards – you’re going […]
As industrial AI moves from hype to infrastructure, five trends are emerging that will define real operational impact in 2026, revealing why success will depend on process redesign, domain-specific intelligence, and frontline trust. The adoption of AI in industrial contexts is still recent, with limited pilot implementations and proofs of concept despite high expectations. As […]
From small-scale food producers to tier-one automotive suppliers, a growing number of businesses are investing in robotics to boost efficiency, ensure consistent product quality, address labour shortages and enhance health and safety. Oliver Selby, head of sales at FANUC UK, highlights three key robotic trends for 2026 that are set to take industrial automation to […]
Vision technology has long played a pivotal role in robotic solutions, helping manufacturers to increase efficiency and accuracy in applications such as quality checking, measurement and product location. However, recent developments in vision innovation, combined with a lowering of costs, means that this is now a great time to invest in robotic technology with vision […]
The word “automation” often conjures images of tangled cables, crowded control cabinets and layers of software, each performing a small part of a larger system. Yet as production lines evolve, this complexity can hold progress back. Here, Bradley McEwan, business development manager at Beckhoff, explains why simplifying control architecture can unlock higher performance, faster development and […]
Automation can bolster the UK’s sovereign defence capabilities, as Oliver Selby, head of sales at FANUC UK, explains From Trump to the Ukraine invasion, Covid restrictions to the growth of AI, violence in the Middle East to the rise of the far right in Europe, it’s clear that we are living in turbulent times. Amid […]
In light of the recent news about the planned acquisition of ABB’s robotics unit by SoftBank, Samantha Mou, a Senior Analyst for industrial robotics at market intelligence firm Interact Analysis notes that the other ‘Big 4′ robotics vendors may now accelerate their activities in the AI robotics space. “Considering the intensive competition in traditional robotics, […]
Motion plastics and low-cost automation at MACH 2026
igus returns to MACH with a comprehensive range of engineering innovations designed to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime and deliver long‑term cost savings for manufacturers across all industry. With the UK operation based in Northampton, igus develops lubrication‑free motion plastics that replace traditional metal components, increasing performance while eliminating the need for grease and maintenance. […]
RBTX DOBOT partner launch hailed a success
igus UK marks a major milestone in accessible automation with the successful launch of its RBTX partnership with DOBOT Robotics. The event brought together engineers, system integrators, manufacturers and automation specialists to explore how flexible robotic solutions can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, without the complexity traditionally associated with industrial automation. Live demonstrations showcased collaborative […]
What role does AI play in art?
The River of Light festival in Liverpool showcased ‘Face Value’, a captivating installation co-created by PhD student Emma Brass from the University of Liverpool and Venya Krutikov, co-founder of The Kazimier and Invisible Wind Factory. Blending artificial intelligence, robotics, and visual art, Face Value invites visitors to confront how technology perceives and redefines reality. The […]
Motion plastics and low-cost automation at MACH 2026
igus returns to MACH with a comprehensive range of engineering innovations designed to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime and deliver long‑term cost savings for manufacturers across all industry. With the UK operation based in Northampton, igus develops lubrication‑free motion plastics that replace traditional metal components, increasing performance while eliminating the need for grease and maintenance. […]
ABB Robotics to showcase next-gen automation
ABB Robotics will be demonstrating a range of advanced automation technologies at MACH 2026, highlighting how manufacturers can boost productivity, improve flexibility and accelerate digital transformation through more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR). On stand 18-640 in Hall 18, visitors will experience the latest developments in collaborative robots, industrial automation cells, digital engineering tools and […]
Cobot completes one millionth PCB quality check
Hanover Displays, a UK-based manufacturer of passenger information systems for the public transport sector, has reached a major manufacturing milestone: the completion of its 1,000,000th automated quality test of printed circuit boards (PCBs) using Techman collaborative robots from LG Motion. The automation programme began in 2018, when Hanover introduced its first collaborative robot to improve […]
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Universal adaptive gripper for faster, gentler picking
Festo has introduced the HPSX Universal Adaptive Gripper, a pneumatic soft gripper engineered to improve speed, hygiene and flexibility in demanding food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Combining robust design, food-safe materials and adaptive silicone fingers, the HPSX directly addresses long-standing automation challenges where rapid, precise and gentle product handling is essential. “In developing the HPSX, […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
Robotics, vision and AI combine for dairy processes
Automation solutions provider Eberle Automatische Systeme has developed a breakthrough in quality control with a focus on the cheese-ripening process, combining AI with machine vision software from MVTec. The food industry is experiencing a transformative shift in quality control, due in part to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). When combined with rule-based machine vision, AI […]
Manufacturing hub or assembly location?
In light of the recent news that Fanuc has announced significant investment to create production capacity for robot manufacturing in the U.S., Samantha Mou, Senior Analyst at market intelligence firm Interact Analysis, commented: “FANUC America’s $90M investment is part of a growing trend where robot manufacturers are bringing production closer to key markets, and the […]