Automation Articles for Manufacturers and Engineers

At IMTS 2026, Vention displayed both physical AI and agentic AI in action.

Teaching Robots to Work in Plain English

Vention's Agentic AI Debuted at IMTS 2026

Industrial automation has long demanded specialized expertise. Designing a robotic cell, programming its movements and validating that everything works together can require knowledge of robotics, controls and programming languages. Vention is betting that it doesn't have to be that way.

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

LI-DragonFire-VGA-GM2B designed for industrial thermal imaging.

Leopard Imaging Unveils DragonFire

Leopard Imaging, a company dedicated to AI Perception and Spatial Intelligence solutions, introduces the LI-DragonFire-VGA-GM2B, a high-performance uncooled infrared camera module designed for thermal imaging in industrial applications. Combining high-resolution thermal imaging, temperature measurement, real-time imaging, and a compact, low-power, high bandwidth design, DragonFire provides a practical thermal sensing solution for a range of industrial use cases.

The TechConnectIQ Support platform on a tablet delivers AI-powered troubleshooting guides and real-time expert assistance directly to the plant floor.

Rockwell Automation Launches TechConnectIQ to Modernize Industrial Remote Support

Rockwell Automation, Inc., a large company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the launch of TechConnectIQ Support, a modernized remote support experience designed to help manufacturers reduce downtime, speed time to resolution and simplify software and firmware updates.

ROBOTICS

Paint line tracking allows Hirebotics’ Cobot Painter to follow the movement of a part and maintain its programmed painting path while the conveyor continues running. Hirebotics’ new linear rail, available in 5-foot increments or custom lengths, allows the cobot to move along the length of a large workpiece and reach the next section of weldment or other process locations without repositioning the part.

Hirebotics Expands Cobot Reach and Flexibility

Hirebotics unveiled new extensions to its collaborative robot (cobot) systems that enable manufacturers to paint moving parts and reach large, difficult-to-handle materials and assemblies without changing existing workflows. Line tracking for Hirebotics’ Cobot Painter and modular linear rail capabilities for its family of cobot systems extend the working range of the cobots, giving manufacturers greater flexibility to automate conveyor-based finishing operations and projects requiring large parts while keeping the cobot experience simple, approachable and easy to deploy. Both technologies were presented at IMTS 2026

The humanoid robot Digit 5 from Agility Robotics is designed to handle tasks throughout the entire factory workflow, from receiving inventory, through machine tending and manufacturing support, through end-of-line packaging and fulfilment.

Agility Unveils Digit 5 Humanoid Robot

Agility Robotics has unveiled the Digit 5 humanoid robot. Built on Over 65,000 Hours of Operation and Commercial Deployments, the Next-Generation Upgrades Let a Single Robot Take On Full Facility Workflows at Scale and Work in Close Proximity to People

MOTION CONTROL

AIR partners with Elmo Motion Control

AIR, a manufacturer and developer of Smart Aircraft, announced a strategic partnership with Elmo Motion Control (Elmo), a global producer of motion control technology. Elmo will integrate its high-performance motion control solution into AIR's Heavy Lift UAS – a VTOL-capable uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of 550lb payloads.

The E4Q e-Chain is a cable management solution from igus that includes tool-free installation.

igus to Showcase “Motion in Automation” at IMTS 2026

igus will showcase its latest technologies for moving, automating and optimizing manufacturing processes at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2026 at Booth 236131 in the North Building. Under the theme “Motion in Automation,” igus will demonstrate how motion components and automation technologies can work together to help manufacturers reduce costs, simplify machine design and improve production efficiency. Visitors will be able to explore solutions ranging from lubrication-free motion plastics and energy supply systems to robotics and low-cost automation.

AI

Aetina’s newest release is an edge AI system designed to slot right into your server rack.

Aetina Corporation Announces MegaEdge AIP-RQ87

Looking to push the boundary of edge computing applications, Aetina has announced a new “AI system” designed to slot into your local 2U server rack and offer a localized competitor to the massive Cloud-based AI tools. That’s a bold position to claim, and one Aetina will be hard-pressed to back on specs alone, but as AI companies are repeatedly proving, there’s more to consider than just raw computing power.

FANUC will showcase its latest breakthroughs in Physical AI, interactive digital twins, collaborative robots, and advanced CNC machining solutions at IMTS 2026 (Booth 338900).

FANUC to Demonstrate Physical AI Advances at IMTS 2026

FANUC America, a global automation manufacturer, will showcase the future of manufacturing at IMTS 2026 (Booth 338900), demonstrating how trusted automation powered by Physical AI is bringing together advanced CNC technologies, machining automation and robotics to improve productivity, increase flexibility and accelerate deployment.