Igus Founders Margret and Günter Blase Passed Away at the Age of 95
The couple founded Igus in 1964 in a two-car garage in Cologne. Today, the family-owned company employs more than 5,700 people worldwide, including about 2,500 in Germany.
Automation
Not Searching, But Finding
WhereIsIt as a Memory Aid for Blind and Visually Impaired People.
Conrad Acquires E-Procurement Provider Hivebuy
Hivebuy was founded in 2021 and will remain an independent company following the acquisition. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, Conrad customers will receive free access to the entry-level solution, Hivebuy Start.
Restar Framos Expands Its Electronics Portfolio for Embedded and Vision Systems
At Electronica 2026, Restar Framos will showcase five technological highlights. The offerings range from RISC-V motor controllers and MRAM to energy harvesting and edge AI.
Schaeffler Relys on Wandelbots Platform for AI-Based Robotics
Schaeffler's production network comprises several thousand robotic systems. The new platform is expected to reduce automation costs by up to 40 percent and make robotics expertise available worldwide.
Knapp Establishes Robotics and AI Development Center in Boston
By early 2027, the new team is expected to grow to between 30 and 35 employees, including about 20 software developers. The location complements the existing robotics development efforts in Graz.
AMA Innovation Award 2027: Application Period for Sensor and Measurement Technology Has Begun
The prize is worth 10,000 euros, and the application deadline is January 27, 2027. Start-ups can also win a free booth at the Sensor+Test trade show.
Digikey is investing $100 million in the expansion of its logistics and order fulfillment operations
The distribution center in Minnesota covers approximately 204,400 m². Digi-Key expects growth of more than 50 percent in 2026 and continued double-digit growth in 2027.
Evosys Relocates Its Core IT Infrastructure to a Data Center in Nuremberg
The migration has been underway since late 2025 and is now complete. At the same time, Evosys is preparing its facility for ISO/IEC 27001 certification.
Digikey Expands Its Private-Label Product Line for Electronics Development and Measurement Technology
The standard product portfolio now includes 117 products. In 2026, 14 new items were added, including ESD equipment, measuring instruments, a soldering station, and 15 housing variants.
Logimat Celebrates 25 Years in Stuttgart: From an Industry Gathering to an International Intralogistics Trade Show
In 2003, Logimat kicked off with 160 exhibitors and 3,700 visitors. By 2026, the number had grown to 1,671 exhibitors and 69,856 trade visitors, who filled all ten exhibition halls.
Packaging Valley Discusses AI and Software in Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
The 2026 Packaging Machinery Day focused on generative AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Six companies explored these topics in greater depth during hands-on workshops.
Schaeffler Has Humanoid Robots Assemble Components for Humanoids
At its 7,500 m² facility in Taicang, Schaeffler combines manufacturing and robot training. Six humanoid robots work at five assembly stations, and the company has received orders totaling approximately 400 million euros.
ABB Brings AI-Powered Robotics to Fashion Logistics
A robotic cell processes up to 1,300 items per hour with a gripping accuracy of more than 99.5 percent. The new AI Robot Trainer is expected to reduce engineering effort by up to 75 percent.
Sieb & Meyer Opens New Production Facility for Frequency Converters
In Lüneburg, the SD2M and SD4M series will be fully assembled and tested in the future. The final inspection includes, among other things, a two-hour functional test in a thermal chamber.
Fraunhofer IFF and Shadow Robot Are Testing Tactile Robotic Hands for Assembly Tasks
The research project will last six months. According to Fraunhofer IFF, even in highly automated production lines, 10 to 20 percent of tasks are still performed manually due to technical limitations.
AMA Innovation Award 2027: Application Period for Sensor and Measurement Technology Begins
The prize is worth 10,000 euros, and the deadline for submissions is January 27, 2027. In addition, the AMA awards a special prize to companies that are no more than five years old.
Lapp Surpasses the Two-Billion-Euro Mark for the First Time
According to preliminary estimates, the global market leader in integrated solutions for cable and connection technology generated revenue of more than 2.3 billion euros in fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026).
Omron Plans to Acquire Industrial PC Manufacturer Onlogic
The acquisition is expected to be completed in early 2027. Onlogic will remain an independent company following the acquisition, and its headquarters, brand, and management are expected to remain in place.
Michael Sedlmair to Become Director of the Fraunhofer IGD
Since October 1, Sedlmair has been managing the Darmstadt and Rostock locations together with Matthias Unbescheiden. His focus is on visual computing and human-centered AI.
Edeka Automates Single-Item Picking with Two AI Robots
The Nordfrische Center processes up to 40,000 containers daily and supplies approximately 650 stores. Two robots from Knapp now handle up to 900 picks per hour.
Synapticon and Reynolds & Moore Partner on Humanoid Robot Safety
The partners aim to support developers every step of the way, from the safety concept through to certification. This approach is based on six norms and standards for functional safety identified by Synapticon.
VDI Study Examines Barriers Faced by Women in STEM Professions
68 percent of the women surveyed view gender stereotypes in the workplace as a challenge. The study is based, among other things, on a survey of 1,274 participants and four workshops.
IDS Joins the IPAI AI Network
IDS is contributing its expertise in computer vision and edge AI to the Heilbronn AI ecosystem. Plans include hackathons, camera tests, and a new AI Vision Circle, among other initiatives.
Swedish King Visits Zwickroell in Ulm
King Carl XVI Gustaf and about 40 representatives from the business, scientific, and public sectors visited Zwickroell to learn about digital testing technology, medical technology, and workforce development.
Steute Technologies Reorganizes the Group's Brand Structure
Following organic growth and several acquisitions, Steute Technologies is consolidating its operations more closely. The company’s existing corporate and product brands will remain in place.
Flir Receives UL 2684 Listing for Thermal Imaging Cameras Used in Fire Detection
FLIR's A40 and A70 thermal imaging cameras are the first systems to be UL 2684-listed for fire detection. This certification provides additional evidence for designers and operators.
Mitutoyo Opens Semiconductor Competence Center in Dresden
Mitutoyo has opened a new Semiconductor Competence Center in Dresden. The facility is intended to serve as a point of contact for customers in the semiconductor and electronics industries.
Eks Engel Expands Its Leadership Team and Announces International Growth
The automation specialist is expanding its management structure. Michael Matthesius, a new manager, is taking on responsibility for sales, marketing, and product management.
Postponed, not canceled—the boom is set to continue into 2027
Industrial Machine Vision Markets in September 2026.
Vega Acquires IoT Platform Provider Akenza
Vega, a manufacturer of measurement technology, is acquiring the Swiss company Akenza AG. With this acquisition, the company is expanding its offerings in the areas of Industrial IoT and digital platforms.
Captec Becomes Majority Shareholder in Spectra
After more than four decades under founder Harald Lang, Spectra is gaining a new majority owner. The British Captec Group is acquiring a majority stake in Serikon Holding.
Service robotics is booming: Global sales of professional systems rise by 24 percent
Logistics, cleaning, and medical robots, in particular, are seeing strong growth, while humanoid systems remain in the testing phase.
Lapp Strengthens Its EMEA Leadership
The company is restructuring the leadership of its EMEA region. Timo Köchel will become COO and assume responsibility for the entire supply chain in the company's largest region.
Vision 2026: Tekom Showcases the iiRDS Information Standard at a Trade Show for the First Time
A live demo shows how AI-powered image recognition directly provides information on the right replacement parts.
