Tag: automation

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Is the automotive industry steering towards a factory-less future?

Innovative technologies like AI, robotics, and automation offer the automotive industry great opportunities: more efficiency, shorter development times, higher competitiveness. And an even more radical approach is sparking the interest of OEMs.

Industrial AI: Siemens and machine manufacturers agree on data alliance

Siemens, together with machine tool manufacturers - including Grob, Trumpf, Chiron, Renishaw, Heller - as well as the Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) of RWTH Aachen and the Voith Group, has introduced an alliance that provides for the systematic exchange of engineering, manufacturing, and machine data for the development of generative AI applications in the industrial environment.

Creativity remains the domain of humans

The manufacturing of vehicles is fundamentally changing - and with it, the role of humans in the factory. Professor Frank Mantwill explains which skills are necessary and where humans will remain indispensable in the future.

Service robots are booming - new global records in 2024

A billion-dollar market on the rise: Service robots are conquering hospitals, warehouses, and hotels at record speed in 2024. New figures from the IFR show where demand is exploding - and which technologies are now making the difference.

5 strategies on how PLM tools can save the industry

Which 5 PLM strategies will ensure production success in 2025? Learn how Revalize strengthens companies in the circular economy and supply chains.

What you should know about MQTT in automation

MQTT is an important protocol for communication in the Internet of Things. It is increasingly being used in automation. What you need to know:

TUM chip thinks like a brain - without the cloud

How does AI work without the cloud? The new 'AI Pro' chip from TU Munich computes offline, securely, and efficiently - inspired by the human brain.

University accelerates in Hyperloop research

Emden/Leer University has made a significant step in Hyperloop research with the opening of the goTube test tube.

Sustainability and growth are not contradictory

In the wake of the ambitious climate protection initiatives by the federal government and the EU, Germany's industrial companies face a flood of regulations and reporting obligations that pose significant challenges.

With automation and AI towards more sustainability

How important are automation and AI for sustainability risk management? Two experts provide the answer and explain what counts among the most important drivers of AI.

This is how a start-up plans to greatly simplify the use of robots

The potential of robotics is far from being realized, says the start-up Evasive Robotics. The interaction of multi-robot systems, drones, and driverless transport systems is to be made usable beyond mass production.

How Philips Medical Systems implements circular economy

The Hamburg plant of Philips Medical Systems is committed to the principle of 'design for remanufacturing'. How the topics of sustainability and circular economy are implemented.

Process excellence: How BMW sets new standards in Regensburg

With over 340,000 units produced in 2024 and innovative production processes, the BMW plant in Regensburg sets new standards. Plant manager Armin Ebner explains the success factors.

Internal or external? Festool relies on its own expertise

At Festool, the factory network operates like a single factory. And it focuses on doing things in-house that are needed. A look behind the scenes.

Micas revolutionises sensor production with ASMPT

Discover how Micas enhances global manufacturing efficiency with cutting-edge technology and reduced setup times.

Wilo's smart factory sets standards in digitalization

Wilo's smart factory in Dortmund achieved the overall victory at the factory of the year through consistent site development and a focus on communication and transparency. Plant manager Branko Calusic on the importance of employee involvement.

Mercedes: Flexibility and digitalization are in focus

The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt impresses with flexible production and outstanding digitalization. But how did the team manage to maintain high-level production during a twelve-week renovation? The answer is here.

Technology-neutral: How Festo positions itself as a problem solver

What matters is no longer the product - but the solution. Festo shows how customer needs set the pace.

Revolutionizing probe card testing with automation

In der Halbleiterfertigung sind präzise, zuverlässige Tests entscheidend – lange bevor der Chip ins finale Gehäuse wandert. Eine Schlüsselkomponente dabei: die Probe Card. Sie bildet die Schnittstelle zwischen Wafer und Testsystem. Doch was passiert, wenn diese Schnittstelle selbst fehlerhaft ist?

Wilo's smart factory sets standards in digitalization

Wilo's smart factory in Dortmund has achieved the overall victory in the factory of the year through consistent site development and a focus on communication and transparency. Plant manager Branko Calusic on the importance of employee involvement.

These digital services work in practice

In mechanical engineering, a multitude of useful digital services have already been established. Excessive monetary expectations are usually misplaced - nevertheless, digital business models are considered a decisive competitive factor.

How does the omnibus procedure affect procurement?

At the end of the year, an omnibus passed through European legislation. What is this procedure about and how does the legislative initiative affect buyers?

Digital procurement against workforce shortages in purchasing

Increasingly, there is a lack of capacity and specialised know-how to efficiently manage procurement projects. How Facturee can relieve and strengthen purchasing.

How to handle unplanned demands?

How can companies best prepare to meet unplanned demands?

Inefficient indirect procurement costs buyers thousands of hours

Huge need for digitalization

AI is a tool, not a replacement

As a computer science graduate and managing partner of Gerhard Schubert GmbH, Ralf Schubert is probably the perfect interview partner for a discussion about the practical use of AI in mechanical engineering. And about where humans remain irreplaceable.

90 percent of companies worldwide are not protected against AI cyber threats

The global economy is heading unchecked into a new era of cyber threats - and only one in ten companies is adequately prepared. The consultancy firm Accenture warns of fatal failures in AI security.

Digital transformation is at the top of the agenda for companies

Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and process automation dominate the investment strategies of the German economy. A KPMG study reveals where the biggest levers are - and where surprisingly little is happening.

“Just start, but with a clear focus”

AI is now commonplace in packaging development at Mutabor, says Moritz Carstens. In the interview, the executive creative director explains why humans remain indispensable, which tools have the greatest leverage - and why companies should develop an AI stance.

Laser instead of radio: Europe's high-speed offensive

Europe has set itself the goal of installing its own satellite networks. For this purpose, Fraunhofer IOF, together with partners, has developed a special telescope for satellite-based laser communication, which could form the basis for this.

Agile Robots solves task fastest and most economically

At this year's Robotics Challenge, Agile Robots impressively demonstrated what modern automation can achieve. The company completed the complex task of automated processing of partial wiring harnesses in just 2:25 minutes.

Project KMUmanoid takes off

Humanoid robots should no longer be a futuristic concept for large corporations. The KMUmanoid project is bringing them specifically into the world of medium-sized companies - with concrete applications, studies, and new guidelines.

Robot installations at highest level in five years

The automotive industry in Japan installed around 13,000 industrial robots in 2024. This is an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous year and marks the highest level since 2020, according to preliminary IFR results.

VDMA vice president on AI, robotics, and start-ups

VDMA vice president Alexander Jakschik discusses in an interview the collaboration with start-ups, trends around AI and robotics, and the start-up award at the mechanical engineering summit.

What does the AI boom mean for Europe's climate goals?

The rapid expansion of energy-hungry AI data centers could become the Trojan horse of climate policy according to the Federal Environment Agency - and burden Europe's CO₂ balance without a single data center being built on site.

How AI is transforming the engineering profession

Designing, writing texts, optimizing codes - generative AI delves deep into the toolbox of the engineering world. A new VDI study now provides clarity on the situation - and shows how technical professions must reinvent themselves.

Out of the "uncanny valley"

Boston Dynamics and the Robotics & AI Institute have taken Atlas to the next level. Thanks to AI and simulation-based learning, the humanoid robot now moves more fluidly - from cartwheels to breakdancing.

How flying robots are revolutionizing construction

Flying robots could soon revolutionize construction with precise material processing from the air, where humans and machines have previously reached their limits, such as in hard-to-reach locations or work at great heights.

Zollner's digital transformation journey unveiled

Discover how Zollner integrates cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability across its global operations.

Machine tools: These technologies make future-proof

The competitive environment is challenging for machine tool manufacturers. Therefore, solutions are needed that enable users to assert themselves in the market. Which technologies are in focus.

Modular ERP systems: How SMEs strengthen their resilience

Supply chain strategies: These are trends you should follow

How to create transparency in the supply chain, where robots are most helpful, and what priorities should be set in intralogistics, explained by Dr. Kerstin Höfle from Körber Supply Chain in the interview.

These are the largest factories in the world

The largest factory in the world is as big as a small town! In the ranking of the largest factories worldwide, you will learn which production sites exceed all expectations.

How to replace plant runners with digital inspections

Traditional rounds by plant runners on their inspections are neither smart nor effective. Digital plant inspection aims to change that. The automotive industry, in particular, relies on this type of automation.

Festo examines the digital twin closely

The family-owned company Festo is working intensively to equip its automation components with a digital twin. Because standardization is crucial, other German automation partners are on board.

Open platforms strengthen mechanical engineering

How can mechanical engineering be future-proofed? At the Packaging Machinery Conference 2025, Steffen Winkler, CSO Business Unit Automation at Bosch Rexroth, and Ingo Hamel, CTO Rovema, provided exciting insights: They demonstrated how automation and modern control architectures help companies respond flexibly, efficiently, and sustainably to changes.

BauBots from Fischer master Engelberg tunnel renovation

9,000 drill holes, set with millimeter precision - and that at over seven meters high. What used to be manual work is now done by smart robots. In the Engelberg tunnel, it is evident how Fischer BauBots are redefining the future of the infrastructure sector.

Robot installations at highest level in five years

The automotive industry in Japan installed a total of around 13,000 industrial robots in 2024. This is an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous year and marks the highest level since 2020, according to preliminary IFR results.

“AI will change everything”

Ralf Schubert demonstrated at the Packaging Machinery Conference 2025, using his company as an example, how artificial intelligence can be specifically applied in packaging machinery - for instance, in robotics, motion planning, and document search. A practical insight into the possibilities of a technology that is changing the world at an unprecedented speed.

“If we want truly intelligent robots, we need to improve the design of robot bodies”

Thanks to AI, robots can already take over many tasks from humans. Edoardo Milana, assistant professor for soft machines at the University of Freiburg, explains how improved design and novel mechanics expand the application potential of machines.

“Cybersecurity creates the foundation for digitalization”

The Cyber Resilience Act presents challenges for machine and plant manufacturers - but also offers opportunities. Dr. Olaf Weinmann, Vice President Digital Solutions at Uhlmann Pac-Systeme, explains in the interview why cybersecurity is the basis for digitalization and why AI is both a blessing and a curse here.

How Koch Pac-Systeme is digitizing itself and the packaging industry

Anyone who finds themselves in the beautiful Black Forest should definitely stop by Pfalzgrafenweiler. Not only because the internationally renowned confectionery Pfalzgraf is headquartered there, but because it is the home of Koch Pac Systeme. Here, you can experience how digitization is advancing the packaging world.

“It's about breaking up isolated solutions“

At the packaging days jointly organized by Sick and Siemens on July 1 and 2, 2025, automation and robotics were the focus. neue verpackung was on site and had the opportunity to interview one of the speakers, Christian Gehrhardt, head of business development robotics and flexible conveyance at Siemens.