Automation Systems

IntelliFinishing Systems Adapt Better When Labor is Short

Labor availability has become one of the most persistent operational challenges across manufacturing. Recruiting skilled workers, particularly in specialized roles like painting and finishing, is difficult in most markets. For facilities running traditional finishing lines, a single absent employee

AI safety agents hit zero misses in first industrial trials as automation sector accelerates

Industrial AI safety deployments achieve a perfect recommendation capture rate in early trials, while automation launches and leadership moves signal a sector i

Roland Berger forecasts 6-9% annual growth as industrial automation shifts from traditional systems to intelligent platforms

Industrial automation is entering a five-year growth cycle, but humanoid hype at Automate 2026 is outpacing what factory floors can actually deploy today.

93% of manufacturers have MES, but only 23% have fully integrated it across the enterprise

Rockwell Automation's new report of 1,560 manufacturers finds MES adoption is near-universal, but enterprise-wide integration remains the industry's defining ga

73% of mid-market manufacturers are still testing AI, with zero at full deployment

New Kaufman Rossin survey data reveals most mid-market manufacturers are stuck in AI experimentation, held back by siloed data and legacy ERP systems.

Analog Devices maps the semiconductor case for physical intelligence in industrial automation

ADI's Fiona Treacy lays out how AI-driven physical intelligence and humanoid robotics are reshaping factory systems and semiconductor demand.

Rockwell Automation report: 93% of manufacturers have MES, but only 23% have fully integrated it

A Rockwell Automation survey of 1,560 manufacturers finds MES adoption is nearly universal, but enterprise-wide integration remains the defining gap.

The automation visibility gap: why FactoryOps is becoming the missing layer in manufacturing stacks

Heavily automated plants still lose margin to blind spots. A new operations layer called FactoryOps is closing the gap without replacing existing PLCs or SCADA.

93% of manufacturers have MES, but only 23% have fully integrated it across the enterprise

Rockwell Automation's 2026 survey of 1,560 manufacturers finds near-universal MES adoption masking a deep integration gap that caps AI and operational value.

Regal Rexnord targets flexible automation cells with integrated motion portfolio

Regal Rexnord's latest motion systems let one cobot cover up to 10 meters of horizontal range, cutting hardware count in flexible manufacturing cells.

Fanuc, Kawasaki, and Stellantis anchor a wave of industrial AI partnerships reshaping factory floors

Major robotics and auto brands are embedding AI into production systems, with imitation learning and digital twins changing how factories operate.

Factory automation's deployment gap: new products flood the market as 80% of US facilities remain unautomated

A striking automation gap persists in US manufacturing even as vendors roll out edge AI, resilient edge platforms, and smarter vision systems at Automate 2026.

Physical AI, embodied robotics, and agentic systems headline manufacturing's mid-2026 intelligence push

From physical AI closing the simulation gap to embodied robotics fighting margin pressure, manufacturing's mid-2026 agenda centers on operational intelligence.

FANUC America debuts Cobot and Go booth with rapid-deployment automation at Automate 2026

FANUC America is showing pre-engineered collaborative robot systems built for rapid deployment at a dedicated Cobot and Go booth at Automate 2026 in Chicago.

Why Connectivity Has Become the Cornerstone of Modern Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is in the middle of a profound shift, as manufacturers push beyond basic control toward fully connected, data-driven operations that bridge the plant floor and the enterprise. What began years ago as early experiments in digital transformation—simply getting PLC data into IT systems—has now accelerated into a critical business imperative fueled by…

Navigating the Future of Warehouse Automation and ASRS With HAI Robotics

As e-commerce continues to reshape the landscape of logistics and fulfillment, businesses are turning to Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) to streamline operations and bolster efficiency. With industry experts like Hunter Senn of Hai Robotics leading the conversation, businesses are seeking clarity on the benefits and implementation of these sophisticated systems. ASRS are not…

3M Brings Innovation to the Manufacturing Supply Chain Environment

Exciting insights from Carl Doeksen, Global Robotics and Automation Director at 3M, on the changing landscape of robotics and automation. “Automation is the key to staying competitive in the B2B landscape. By fostering a culture of innovation, collaborating closely with customers, and leveraging diverse expertise, businesses can position themselves as leaders in their respective industries.”…

Distributed I/O vs. Centralized I/O Baggage Handling

For airports, baggage handling is a critical component in all aspects of the travel experience. The right systems and process in place mean safe and reliable baggage delivery to the people who put their trust in the airports to ensure a flawless transition from A-Z. Airports use two types of systems for baggage handling, distributed…

The Business Case for Robotics on the Factory and Warehouse Floors

Across industries, companies are looking for ways to get their products to clients and consumers with more efficiency and less cost. As automation and robotics continue to revolutionize business, companies that find themselves out of step with the latest innovations will inevitably fall behind. September’s Autonomous Mobile Robot Conference in Louisville, Kentucky brought companies…

Kasa: Making a Difference in PLC Solutions

Automation systems can be quite complex, but they are typically controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). A PLC is a digital computer designed for rugged industrial applications and is the “brains” of a manufacturer’s automation system. Typically used in control panels to perform the logic processing, PLCs implement programs written by the user to…

Kasa Controls Job Opportunity: Controls Engineer, Being a Hands-On Piece of the Kasa Culture

On this Careers Podcast we look deeper into the role of Controls Engineer at Kasa Controls, hearing from Justin Ryan, Engineering Training Manager, on what makes the position an essential piece of the Kasa puzzle. The position, based out of Salina, Kansas, is tasked with providing detailed industrial control system drawings, including electrical schematics,…

Smart Homes Aren’t “Smart,” But They Could Be, with Universal Screens and Neocontrol Global

When considering how to build a new smart home or transform an existing home into an automated one, there are generally two options available: DIY or a professional custom solution. Manufacturers of smart home equipment have made it exceedingly simple to do it yourself, but there is something to be said for hiring a…

Taking SCADA Systems to the Next Level with Kittur Nagesh of Cognito Networks

With the rise of modern IoT systems, there has been a strong need to transform supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA systems, to keep up. We sat down with Kittur Nagesh, Founder & CEO of Cognito Networks, to unpack traditional SCADA systems and discuss the intersection of interoperability and security. Nagesh breaks down…

Conveyor Systems, Assemble! with Kevin Howe of IntelliFinishing

Since the early 1900s, the assembly line has been a vital aspect of manufacturing cars and many other products. In 2018, there’s been a massive evolution from the simple one-way conveyor belt system used to manufacture the Model-T, to a more versatile, complex system created on a product by product basis. Joining us is…

Watch: Honeywell announces indoor navigation for IoT-connected buildings

Honeywell recently announced new features for its Vector Occupant App that make Smart Buildings even smarter. The centerpiece of the new features is indoor navigation, a tech that helps occupants navigate complicated building layouts. We’ve seen an immediate impact. The interactive map makes it really easy and intuitive to know exactly where you’re going, and…