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, […]
The wave of smart manufacturing is sweeping across the industry, bringing with it a seismic shift that is characterised by hyper-connectivity, relentless automation and unprecedented data-driven precision. However, manufacturing plants and factories are not just filled with machines; they’re teeming with thousands of non-human identities (NHIs), from robotic arms and PLCs to IoT and IIoT […]
Machine builders are being urged by Mitsubishi Electric to begin preparing now for the changes that the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is set to bring when it comes fully into force in 2027, or face being shut out from selling their products into European markets. First introduced by the European Union (EU) on 10 December […]
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 […]
Application phase for 10th vector award is now open
The application phase of the igus vector award 2026 has begun. Now in its tenth year, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use high-performance plastic energy chains to create cable guides that set new technological standards, with winners to receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money. The vector award has gained international […]
Powering the factories of the future
The combination of collaborative robotics and in-process digital metrology represents a strategic convergence for the manufacturing industry and factories of the future. On the one hand, collaborative robots make it possible to automate handling and assembly tasks flexibly and safely without the need for physical barriers and, on the other hand, digital metrology integrated into […]
Cobot installed at steering systems manufacturer
Steering systems manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, continues to modernise its manufacturing processes with a new collaborative robot (cobot) at its facility in Coventry. After a successful trial period, the company is installing a FAIRINO FR10 on the induction hardening ball pin cell, where it works alongside existing team members to support production. Designed to work alongside […]
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 […]
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Automating the food sector: efficiency in action
The food and beverage industry has been slower to adopt automation than some other areas of manufacturing. Short-term supplier contracts and a reliance on cheap labour have proved obstacles to investment for some food producers, limiting their ability to grow their production capabilities. Fortunately, automation systems incorporating robotics from leading suppliers such as FANUC are […]
Robotics and digitalisation in food manufacturing
In this workshop at Food Manufacturing Live, Dr Bhavnita Patel, business development manager at The MTC, explores how automation, robotics and digitalisation are reshaping food manufacturing, unlocking efficiency, improving quality and reducing waste. Bhavnita explains why companies must adopt these technologies now, despite barriers like cost and legacy systems. She looks at where these tools […]
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 […]
Sustainability and automation key to UK success
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 […]