Automation Articles for Manufacturers and Engineers

Today, we're able to capture a lot of data from our machines. The question is, what do we do with it, and is AI the answer?

AI in Predictive Maintenance: A Second Verse, Supporting the First

Scaling up may require AI to make sense of all the data

For the past few years, AI has been the big new buzzword. Countless big tech hype men have gotten on stage and made a lot of very lofty promises about how AI will completely transform all our lives. This new tech is the next industrial revolution. It will allow you to manage your factory lines and predict tomorrow’s needs with unprecedented precision. It will fundamentally change how we do business from now on. And you don’t want to be left behind!

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

Hannover Messe 2026

Automation is the key to efficiency and competitiveness. At HANNOVER MESSE, the focus is on intelligent systems, sensor technology, and networked control technologies, as well as PLCs, DCS, SCADA systems, motion control, industrial PCs, embedded systems, and electric drives. These technologies ensure quality and enable intelligent, networked processes—across industries and with an eye to the future.

Nord to Exhibit at Modex 2026

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has announced their participation in MODEX 2026. From April 13–16 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, NORD will showcase their latest advancements in high-efficiency gear motors, intelligent electronic control products, and modular automation solutions designed to optimize throughput and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Attendees are invited to visit Booth B14136 to talk with experts and discover how NORD’s decentralized technology is redefining reliability in modern warehousing and distribution centers.

ROBOTICS

Humanoid's HMND 01 Alpha on the shop floor at Siemens' Erlanger, Germany electronics manufacturing facility.

Siemens Tests Humanoid Robots at Electronic Factory

Siemens and the UK robot manufacturer Humanoid announced that Humanoid’s HMND 01 wheeled Alpha humanoid robot, built using the NVIDIA physical AI stack, has been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Erlangen, Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.

Comau and Reis Robotics recently signed a cooperation agreement to pursue new developments in industrial automation.

Comau and Reis Robotics Sign a Cooperation Agreement To Pursue Advanced Automation Projects Across Multiple Industries

In a deal designed to bring the two companies’ diverse specialties together, Comau and Reis Robotics have agreed to pool their expertise to further develop automation solutions across manufacturing. Among other details, Comau brings a wide robotics portfolio to the table, while Reis Robotics is lending their proprietary control technology.

MOTION CONTROL

The UR series of roller guides are being positioned as a direct upgrade over Hiwin’s existing models in the same field.

Hiwin Launches New UR Roller Guides With Improved Precision and Load Capacity

In what Hiwin called a “genuine performance booster for demanding applications,” the company recently touted their newest line of roller guides, the UR series. They have positioned the new product as a direct upgrade over their past roller guides, with better static load capacity, dynamic load capacity, and service life.

Schaeffler’s modular Ewellix EMA-80M linear actuator was specifically designed for the electric height adjustment of patient tables.

Schaeffler’s Ewellix EMA-80M Linear Actuator Designed for Patient Tables and Operating Tables

Firmly fixed on the medical industry, Schaeffler has added to their Ewellix line with the EMA-80M, a new, powerful linear actuator capable of pushing at a force of 20,000 Newtons. All that strength is being harnessed so that the EMA-80M can support a medical table solo, whereas most solutions require two. Among numerous other features, Schaeffler’s hope is to simplify the design of these products, and thus help manufacturers’ bottom line.

AI

Featured image courtesy of ABB Robotics (top left), Skild AI (bottom left), Humanoid (top right) and Universal Robotics (bottom right).

NVIDIA Platform Powers Physical AI

NVIDIA is partnering with the global robotics ecosystem — including leading robot brain developers, industrial robot giants and humanoid pioneers — to power production-scale physical AI. NVIDIA also unveiled new NVIDIA Isaac simulation frameworks and new NVIDIA Cosmos and NVIDIA Isaac GR00T open models for the industry to develop, train and deploy the next generation of intelligent robots.

Vention's GRIIP enables deployment of autonomous robot cells in highly unstructured manufacturing environments

How Generalized AI Can Transform Pick-and-Place Robotics

Instead of dedicated pick-and-place robots programmed for a single task, a new type of generalized artificial intelligence can allow for a more flexible and robust autonomous robotic implementation that scales across applications.