Robotics and autonomous production are seen as the automation investments most likely to deliver competitive advantage over the next five years, but for the greatest commercial edge, these technologies must interconnect rather than be deployed in isolation. These are some of the findings of a recent survey from IMI's Industrial Automation sector. Daniel Coetzee, Vice President: Growth, Industrial Automation for IMI, comments: "What stands out from these results isn't just that robotics leads the poll, it's that several technologies need to work together to truly drive commercial benefits. Our customers are telling us that the competitive advantage won't come from any single investment, but from the intelligence and connectivity built around it."
15th July 2026
Robotics leads automation investment, but interconnectivity is key
Robotics and autonomous production are seen as the automation investments most likely to deliver competitive advantage over the next five years, but for the greatest commercial edge, these technologies must interconnect rather than be deployed in isolation. These are some of the findings of a recent survey from IMI's Industrial Automation sector. Daniel Coetzee, Vice President: Growth, Industrial Automation for IMI, comments: "What stands out from these results isn't just that robotics leads the poll, it's that several technologies need to work together to truly drive commercial benefits. Our customers are telling us that the competitive advantage won't come from any single investment, but from the intelligence and connectivity built around it."
The countdown begins: MachineBuilding.Live returns as the ultimate flagship event of the year
What a year it has been for the UK automation community! Following hot on the heels of our sold-out Northern event, MachineBuilding.South wrapped up to yet more record crowds earlier this month. But we've been saving the absolute biggest for last.
Automate UK joins forces with European counterparts to establish EUROPAMA
Automate UK has aligned with a collective of European Trade Associations to found EUROPAMA, a federation dedicated to influencing policy around the key challenges impacting the industry.
LV Titanium VSM delivers IE5 Ultra-Premium efficiency in a compact design
ABB’s LV Titanium Variable Speed Motor (VSM) platform delivers the benefits of an IE5 Ultra-Premium efficiency motor and variable speed drive (VSD) technology in a single, compact, plug-and-play solution. Michele Maggi, R&D Engineer ...
Multi-point latching solutions for global energy storage systems
Southco has partnered with a global leader in new energy technology to co-develop a customised multi-point latching system for energy storage applications. Rather than solving problems for a single company, the collaboration targets industry-wide ...
How ready are suppliers for new robot safety standards?
Questions about the updated robot safety standard ISO 10218 are becoming increasingly common in the robotics industry. Central to the discussion are CE certification requirements in Europe, as ISO 10218 is the key safety standard for industrial ...
Thermal-magnetic protection with a width of just 8 mm
With PTCB TM, Phoenix Contact is launching a new generation of thermal-magnetic circuit-breakers onto the market. With a width of just 8 mm, alignable current monitoring, and the capability of direct bridging to the Clipline complete system, the ...
Atlas Copco has introduced a vibration analysis service for industrial air compressors, enabling UK manufacturers who rely on compressed air to detect hidden mechanical issues before they lead to unplanned downtime, excessive energy consumption or ...
Manufacturers rethink role of video tech as operational pressures grow
Research for first issue of 'In focus' series from Axis explores UK manufacturing challenges and why cost and quality pressures are driving demand for greater operational insight.
Master the future of automation: Free CPD-accredited sessions at MachineBuilding.Live
An outstanding series of free-to-attend presentations is set to be one of the absolute highlights of MachineBuilding.Live this October. Highly anticipated by the engineering community, these sessions are designed to deliver practical, proven ideas you can implement immediately.
Industrial Technology provides suppliers targeting the design engineering, machine building and systems integration community with a single brand of fully integrated marketing platforms that deliver genuine opportunities to reach, influence and sell to a premium quality, identified audience of professionals.
We are sending you this newsletter because you requested it or you have a connection to one of the companies on the Industrial Technology website (for example you might be the marketing manager, PR agent or advertising agent). Under GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation), the lawful basis on which we are sending you the newsletter is therefore either Consent or Legitimate Interest. Follow the link to read our Privacy Policy . You can unsubscribe by clicking the link in the footer of this newsletter.
