LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with a number of demos, along with electro-mechanical motion control systems. LG Motion managing director Gary Livingstone has also authored a book: Lean Robotic Automation provides a clear and practical framework for implementing robotics successfully, combining proven Lean principles with real-world automation experience.

“Robots can deliver incredible results, but only when they’re applied in the right way,” said Gary. “This book is about taking a structured, Lean approach to robotic automation so projects are simpler, outcomes are clearer, and businesses get real value from their investment.”

For its part, OMRON (Stand 70) has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and precision handling.

Across the S Series, OMRON has introduced upgrades to increase durability and support faster redeployment. All robot arms now feature an IP65 rating for use in washdown or dust-prone environments. Higher-payload units (TM25S, TM30S) incorporate an integrated joint 6 force-torque wrist sensor for improved force-controlled processes. The updated Landmark 2.0 vision-based positioning system is designed to reduce recalibration time when moving robots between stations.

OMRON has also released TMflow 2.22, an update to its no-code programming environment. The new version introduces more granular safety configuration options, expanded remote monitoring and diagnostics, and a higher-fidelity simulation engine. Integrated vision tools have been strengthened to support inspection and pick-and-place tasks with greater accuracy.

With the TM30S, TM20S, and TM6S alongside crucial upgrades like IP65 certification and the integrated joint 6 force torque sensor, OMRON says it is empowering customers to automate their most challenging, heavy-duty tasks with greater safety, precision, and flexibility than ever before. TMflow 2.22 ensures that this immense power remains easy to program and manage, upholding OMRON’s commitment to harmonious automation.

JAKA Robotics (Stand 78) is emphasising the wide range of applications for collaborative robots, including picking, packing, machine tending, and quality inspection. Their flexibility allows businesses to deploy them across different roles and processes, making them incredibly versatile tools that can enhance productivity in multiple aspects of production.

JAKA continues to advance the conversation around collaborative robotics, arguing that, with proven adaptability, safety measures and intelligence, cobots are crucial allies for any business looking to enhance productivity and workforce safety, no matter the size of operations.

Delta robots

Following its new partnership with Englert Robotics, HMK (Stand 41) is excited to be overviewing delta robot technology on the stand – perfect for high-performance handling applications. Englert’s modular platform offers exceptional flexibility, with a wide range of sizes, payloads, and configurable options, including different material combinations to suit hygiene-critical, high-speed or harsh environments. This flexibility makes the robots ideal for applications across packaging, food, pharma, electronics, logistics and recycling.

A key advantage is the open, standards‑based approach to control integration, supporting Siemens, KEBA and other leading control platforms. This gives OEMs full freedom to align with their existing architectures while avoiding vendor lock‑in.

As the UK partner for Englert Robotics, HMK offers OEMs multiple delivery options – from mechanical‑only Delta robot systems, through mechanics supplied with motors and drives, to fully engineered and integrated mechatronic solutions. By combining Englert’s advanced mechanical design with HMK’s control, motion and systems expertise, HMK provides flexible, high‑performance and cost‑optimised robotic solutions tailored to each requirement.

A key requirement for robotics applications is some sort of end-of-arm gripper, and PIAB (Stand 83) offers a huge range of suction cups, including the recently introduced BCP40 is a suction cup dedicated to automated handling of corrugated cardboard boxes in packaging and intralogistics. BCP40 combines long stroke, high stability and sustainable materials in a cost‑efficient design optimized for high‑throughput box handling.

Another innovative product in the PIAB range is new 3-finger piSOFTGRIP 40-3, developed for the food and chocolate industry. Based on the proven piSOFTGRIP 30-3, the new model increases gripping capacity up to 40 mm while keeping the same concept and ease of use.

The vacuum-based soft gripper safely handles sensitive, lightweight products with irregular shapes or surfaces. Its one-piece, sealed design with three gripping fingers is robust, dust-insensitive, and allows easy adjustment of gripping force via the vacuum level – ensuring gentle and reliable handling across a wider range of applications.

As robot systems become more advanced and connected, ensuring functional safety and compliance is becoming increasingly complex. With the release of ISO 10218:2025, organisations must understand what’s changed and how to apply it in practice.

The webinar will cover: key updates introduced in ISO 10218:2025; how to select and apply effective safeguarding measures; designing and validating functional safety systems; and reducing risk and achieving compliance in real-world applications.

The webinar will be presented by Hefin Llewellyn-Evans, Technical Trainer (Functional Safety), TUV SUD. With hands-on experience delivering safety-critical projects in manufacturing environments, Hefin brings practical insight into applying functional safety in modern robotics.

If you can’t join live, register anyway, and you’ll be sent the webinar recording so you won’t miss any of the valuable insights.

This is a finding of the 2026 automatica Trend Index. The survey was commissioned by automatica and a total of 100 German specialists and executives responsible for taking decisions on the adoption of robotics and automation in their respective companies participated.

“China has been consistently pursuing a national robotics strategy for years to systematically capitalize on the opportunities offered by modern automation”, says Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association. “Beijing’s latest five-year plan places smart robotics at the very center of its development goals. Thus, they are ushering in a new era of humanoid robots with the goal of developing an embodied intelligence integrating AI software with physical robotics. Plans are in place for entirely new practical AI applications promoting industrial and commercial automation.”

Robotics and automation crucial for competitiveness

Smart robotics is considered a pivotal field of innovation in Germany, too: 78 percent of respondents believe that AI and robotics deployment is indispensable for keeping the German industry competitive. The automatica Trend Index also found that humanoid robots already play an important role in industrial production (85 %) – even though 68 percent of the respondents still primarily operate pilot projects without large-scale adoption.

Exhibition Director Anja Schneider comments: “Humanoid robotics is a particularly striking example of physical AI as it presents AI in human-like form as it interacts with the physical world. We can already say that physical AI and humanoid robotics will be the key topics at automatica 2027.”

A solid foundation: Germany in the top 3

Humanoid platforms are illustrative of future automation use cases requiring the combined expertise of various disciplines. In this framework, traditional mechanical engineering know-how joins forces with modern systems technology, sensor technology, and AI-based software development.

The so-called physical AI deployed here requires realistic and properly processed production data acquired by sensors. Germany is in a great position to adopt this technology due to its advanced production facilities. With 449 installed industrial robots per 10,000 employees, Germany has one of the greatest robot densities in the world and, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), takes third place right behind South Korea and Singapore.

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Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and beverage and FMCG environments, the session combined expert insight with live demonstrations and real-world application examples.

Throughout the morning, visitors had the opportunity to explore how cobots can help tackle ongoing industry challenges such as labour shortages, the need for improved consistency, and increasing pressure to deliver strong return on investment.

A key focus of the day was showcasing practical applications, with live demonstrations covering processes such as palletising, packaging, pick and place, and material handling. These demonstrations helped illustrate how flexible automation solutions can be deployed across a range of end of line tasks to improve productivity, quality, and ergonomics on the factory floor.

The event was specifically aimed at end users, providing a valuable opportunity to meet with experts from across the automation supply chain in one location. Attendees were able to speak directly with specialists in grippers, vision systems, robotics and integration, enabling them to gain tailored advice and discuss their individual production challenges in detail.

Integral to the success of the day was the support of four integration partners: Olympus Technologies (Adam Swallow), Protec (Alex Neal), Robotics and Automation (Mike Sharpe), and Jention (Russell Scion).

Each partner showcased a range of cobot-driven applications relevant to the food industry, demonstrating how collaborative robotics can be effectively applied to both packing and processing operations. These hands-on examples helped bring automation concepts to life, allowing visitors to see first-hand how solutions could be implemented in their own facilities.

The Masterclass also created a collaborative environment for networking and knowledge exchange, with attendees ranging from production managers and engineers to business leaders exploring automation strategies.

Overall, the event delivered on its aim to provide practical, actionable insight into food and beverage automation. Attendees left with a stronger understanding of where cobots can add value within their operations, as well as clear next steps for beginning or expanding their automation journey.

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The award ceremony will be held during the HANNOVER MESSE Preview on 24 February 2027 in Hannover. The deadline to apply is 1 November 2026.

Each year, HANNOVER MESSE organises the ROBOTICS AWARD to recognise outstanding technological innovations that have the potential to transform manufacturing. An independent jury evaluates the submissions and nominates three solutions. The focus is on market-ready products with a high degree of innovation, clear industrial potential, and convincing economic viability.

Companies and institutions from Germany and abroad are eligible to participate in the competition, regardless of whether they exhibit at HANNOVER MESSE.

During the awards ceremony, the three nominees present their solutions to members of the media from roughly 20 countries. The winner is then announced. All nominees receive a participation package for HANNOVER MESSE, which includes exhibition space in the Application Park and a presentation slot. Interested companies can submit their application here.

The startup GoodBytz won the Robotics Award 2026 for its kitchen system that uses lightweight, compact industrial robots. Appropriate seals, food-grade materials, and a high level of protection against heat, moisture and cleaning processes enable its robots to meet the requirements of food processing.

In this session, you will learn: what is changing under the Machinery Regulation; the role of Common Specifications, Market Surveillance, and Conformity Assessments; and how organisations can start preparing for the new requirements

Hosted on Zoom, this 30-minute session is led by safety experts and includes a live Q&A, with a recording available afterwards.

Click here to sign up for the webinar.

Cyan Tec, Cyber-Weld and Expert Technologies will join FANUC on stand F40 at the NEC on 3-4 June for the UK’s most comprehensive gathering of manufacturing and engineering technology, services and solutions. Visitors to the FANUC stand can enjoy automation demonstrations featuring collaborative augmented reality welding, advanced sensing and vision systems, transfer and handling solutions, and a modular automation platform dubbed ‘a factory in a box’.

Live robotic technology showcase

Renowned for designing and building complex, precision engineered systems for demanding production environments, Cyan Tec works across a range of sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, defence and medical devices. At this year’s show, its live ‘Technology Showcase’ demo cell on the FANUC stand will prove in real time how best in class automation building blocks can be seamlessly integrated into a single, compact and highly capable system.

Bringing together a selection of technologies that commonly feature across many of Cyan Tec’s real world applications, the demo cell features robotic automation from FANUC alongside advanced sensing and vision systems, transfer and handling solutions, high speed drives, gripper technologies, industrial communication protocols, air gapped security concepts, and high end PLC and HMI interfaces.

Augmented reality welding

Specialising in bespoke robotic welding systems, Cyber-Weld’s solutions help UK manufacturers increase production efficiency and remain competitive on the global stage. The FANUC system integrator partner will showcase its flagship Soldamatic Augmented Reality Welding cell – featuring a FANUC CRX10-iA collaborative robot – which aims to strengthen manufacturers’ welding capabilities.

Offering multiple virtual welding environments that replicate real world scenarios, Soldamatic enables the rapid upskilling of employees by significantly accelerating learning for practical applications. Visitors to the FANUC stand can see for themselves how combining immersive augmented reality with collaborative robotics enables faster skills development while reducing material wastage and consumable costs throughout the training process – all within a safe, flexible and future ready welding environment.

Scalable manufacturing with ‘factory in a box’

Also on stand F40 will be Expert Technologies, another longstanding FANUC system integrator partner. Delivering advanced automation and robotic solutions, its systems are designed to optimise processes, improve productivity and ensure quality at every stage of production. Live on the stand will be Flexcell, a modular automation platform from Expert Technologies dubbed a factory in a box, that scales seamlessly from early-stage prototyping through to full production – without requiring costly redesigns or rebuilds. Highly versatile, it can be deployed across virtually any operational use case, from manufacturing and assembly to inspection, testing, and material handling, with its phased approach reducing waste and time-to-value by up to 20%.

Cost-effective robot integration

“FANUC’s integrator network brings together industry expertise from a wide range of sectors, with each valued partner providing tailored automation solutions,” says Oliver Selby, FANUC UK’s Head of Sales. “We’re proud to be able to showcase the solutions of three of these partners at Smart Factory Expo, demonstrating live on our stand how they successfully integrate FANUC robots to drive cost efficiency, optimise production and deliver real value to UK manufacturers.”

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On Stand 5-N054 at Fiere di Parma, 26-28 May, Trio will also present its complete Motion-First Automation solution, including the PC-MCAT-2 combined PC and motion controller, high-performance EtherCAT servo drives and motors, I/O systems, HMI and SCARA robots.

Trio’s new Motion-PLC controller has been designed to reduce the complexity and cost of machine build for stand-alone machines in applications such as gantries, packaging, and glue laying. The controller combines EtherCAT motion control for up to eight axes alongside machine logic thanks to a multi-tasking operating system that performs both tasks in parallel.

With flexible I/O expansion for 16 I/O slices – plus additional I/O with Trio’s I/O coupler – Motion-PLC achieves extensive device integration with an EtherCAT port and up to two Ethernet ports. The controller also offers protocol support for Modbus TCP, PROFINET IO, and Ethernet/IP.

Application development and device integration is managed through Trio’s license-free MotionPerfect software, and motion programming is achieved with common IEC languages.

The new controller is the latest development from Trio’s Motion-First Automation design approach that focusses on optimising a machine’s motion cycle within a complete automation solution. Central to Trio’s Motion-First Automation approach is the Motion-iX ‘motion engine’, based on more than 30 years’ development, that includes pre-programmed motion features ranging from simple point-to-point moves through to complex kinematics and robot control.

At SPS Italia, Trio will also present PC-MCAT-2, a control solution that integrates Windows applications alongside advanced motion performance. The controller runs Microsoft Windows 10 with a choice of Intel processors, and achieves high-speed EtherCAT motion coordination for up to 64 servo and robot axes.

In addition to Trio’s range of all-in-one controllers with integrated I/O, the automation brand will also display its Flex-6X and Flex-7 flexible machine controllers. These pocket-sized devices give freedom over functionality with a wide range of ‘click-in’ I/O slices, alongside high-performance motion control over EtherCAT for up to 80 axes.

As part of the complete Motion-First Automation solution, Trio will also display its range of servo drives and motors. The servo drives feature EtherCAT update rates as fast as 125µs, plus integrated safety features, but to simplify machine design and reduce cost-per-axis, intelligence remains within the controller. The drives are matched with low inertia servo motors to create a plug-and-play servo solution for rapid commissioning and reliable operation by machine users.

Trio’s Motion-First Automation solution on display at SPS Italia will also include I/O systems, a range of HMI displays, plus a SCARA robot application demo. Trio’s SCARA solution enhances performance, reliability, and speed of development, as just a single controller is required to manage a machine, robots, and servo motion axes.

“We’re excited to launch Motion-PLC at SPS Italia 2026 and show machine builders how the new controller can make development faster and simpler, while retaining Trio’s motion control performance, from a typical PLC environment,” says Trio Italy Manager, Mauro Lavatelli. “Presenting Trio’s complete Motion-First Automation solution, we will show machine builders how we can support their full automation requirements while optimising the motion performance of their machines.”

Tom Alexander, Trio Motion Technology’s President, says: “The Italy market is crucial to Trio as Italy is home to many of the world’s leading machine building OEMs, particularly in our core markets such as packaging and printing. Trio is at SPS Italia to show OEMs how we can support their ambitions with our Motion-First Automation solutions.”

Rodrigo Ruiz Marín, Sales Manager at Rollon

As manufacturers face increasing demands for speed, precision and reliability, Rollon will showcase how engineered motion systems are solving key industrial automation challenges at Advanced Factories, drawing on recent projects involving heavy robotic handling, high-speed palletising and battery cell production.

With automation evolving, manufacturers need to keep delivering higher payloads, faster cycle times, greater precision and continuous reliability. Meeting these requirements is placing new demands on motion system design, making the engineering of linear motion design a critical factor in overall system performance.

Rollon has decades of experience in linear motion technology and supports machine builders and system integrators in developing motion systems tailored to specific application requirements. Rather than relying on standard components, engineered solutions enable automation systems to maintain stability, accuracy and uptime under increasingly demanding operating conditions.

“Machine builders today are being asked to do more with less – higher loads, faster cycles, tighter tolerances – and the motion system is where those demands converge,” says Rodrigo Ruiz Marín, Sales Manager at Rollon.

“Exhibiting at Advanced Factories is an important opportunity for us to engage directly with machine builders and integrators facing increasingly complex automation challenges. For Rollon, it’s about sharing practical engineering experience – showing how motion systems perform in real environments. For example, in applications exposed to moisture, chemicals or contaminants, corrosion can quickly impact performance if it’s not considered at the design stage – these types of challenges need addressed at an early stage and prove why application-specific engineering is so important. When the design is custom engineered for the application, customers can make more informed design decisions from the outset and get systems that hold their performance over time, even in the most demanding production environments.”

Real-world applications across automation

At Advanced Factories, Rollon will discuss practical applications demonstrating how engineered motion systems support automation performance across a range of industrial scenarios.

These include recent projects where Rollon has overcome heavy robotic handling, where large-scale systems must maintain precision under high loads; high-speed palletising, where cycle times and compact system design are critical; and battery cell production, where accuracy, cleanliness and continuous operation are essential to maintaining throughput and quality.

Across these applications, Rollon’s experience highlights the importance of specifying motion systems that are purpose-built for load capacity, speed and reliability, helping ensure consistent performance in real-world production environments.

At Stand D418, Rollon will present a range of linear motion solutions, including the Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU), AXNR circular system and actuator technologies, alongside dedicated displays for ball screws, rod ends and heavy-duty linear systems. These solutions demonstrate how motion systems can be tailored to meet specific application requirements across robotics, material handling and advanced manufacturing.

The demand for ever more powerful machines and increasing regulatory requirements, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), are fundamentally changing the rules in the packaging industry. OEMs are under growing pressure to design packaging that is as small, material-efficient, and sustainable as possible – while maximising space utilisation and flexibility.

What appears to be purely a packaging issue has far-reaching implications for mechanical engineering: such profound changes in packaging require new machine designs. This presents an opportunity to make machines even more compact, flexible, and energy-efficient while ensuring the highest level of precision.

High-performance packaging machines

As a specialist in drive and automation technology, Lenze offers application-specific motion control solutions for the packaging machines of tomorrow. At Interpack 2026, Lenze will show how the combination of in-depth application expertise and powerful servo and drive technology enables precise, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solutions for every machine architecture – from sensorless control to drive solutions for the highest cycle rates.

Open interfaces, integrated safety, and end-to-end engineering also shorten development times, increase system availability, and ensure the flexibility that modern packaging machines demand.

Cost and energy efficiency

With its IE5/IE6 drive system, Lenze offers a decentralised solution with servo-like performance. In combination with the Lenze i650 motec frequency inverter, the Motor Drive System achieves IE5/IE6 energy efficiency classes and supports machine optimisation through sensorless positioning and integrated regenerative capability – helping OEMs process sustainable packaging materials more effectively.

Visitors will also experience how machine architecture can be adapted flexibly and how high dynamics, precise motion, and reduced hardware effort can be optimally combined for modern packaging machines with demanding motion profiles.

Inline robotics without cycle interruptions

Another highlight at the booth is a delta robot demonstrating highly precise pick-and-place processes on two rotating tables – without having to stop them. Through rotary tracking, products are picked up and placed synchronously, eliminating unnecessary cycle times and maximising efficiency.

This is made possible by Lenze’s “Feasible Application Software Toolbox.” Known as “Lenze FAST,” this modular software toolkit enables machines to be implemented faster, in a more structured way, and with significantly less programming effort. The Lenze FAST Robotics Template used in the delta robot significantly reduces engineering effort by parameterising robotics instead of programming them. Users benefit from short cycle times, increased line performance, and a scalable system solution that ensures the highest level of process reliability.

Easily realise modular packaging machines

A real eye-catcher at the booth is the Lenze Jonglator: The high-performance motion control system demonstrates how powerful servo inverters handle complex motion requirements while remaining more compact than purely mechanical motion solutions. Thanks to Lenze’s open architecture, modular machines can be planned and implemented much more easily.

Consistent functions and interfaces across controllers, HMIs, and I/Os enable seamless integration. This means motion, logic, and HMI functions are executed reliably and in parallel, even at high cycle rates and with increasing machine complexity.

Mpac tray former live at the booth

Under the motto “Motion enabled by Lenze,” Lenze demonstrates on a machine from customer Mpac how machine solution expertise creates real added value: the high-performance tray former processes up to 200 trays per minute and is therefore ideally designed for demanding production environments.

A rotary infeed concept replaces conventional pusher systems and ensures stable, continuous operation at high speeds. Reliable synchronisation and Lenze’s dynamic drive technology ensure this performance over the long term. As a result, Mpac’s tray erector is an ideal example of sophisticated packaging solutions and demonstrates how the complete Lenze portfolio delivers high speeds, precision, and consistent drive performance in demanding packaging processes.

Another advantage of the system is that it replaces conventional plastic trays with environmentally friendly cardboard containers. This supports the industry’s transition toward more sustainable, plastic-free packaging solutions.

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