Hannover Messe showcases intelligent robots

At today's Hannover Messe preview, discussions on stage revolved around the introduction of artificial intelligent applications and AI-controlled robots in industry. Many people already use artificial intelligence privately to be more productive. “However, 95 percent of all industrial AI projects still do not yield any economic benefit,” says Norbert Jung, CEO Bosch Connected Industry, referring to a study by the NANDA project at MIT in Massachusetts from August 2025. For example, AI projects get stuck in pilot status or are not accepted by the employees involved. Bosch Connected Industry provides pre-configured use cases to help companies get started. According to trade fair director Jochen Köckler, industrial AI applications and AI-driven robotics solutions (Physical AI) will be a focus at this year's Hannover Messe from April 20th to 24th.

Agile Robots has now started the production of the Agile One, a humanoid robot for industry. “However, you still don't have a solution if you just buy one Agile One,” says Sven Parusel, Head of Research Partnerships at Agile Robots. Often, an intelligently controlled robot arm or a sensitive dual-arm assembly, as recently in a project at Daimler's gearbox assembly, is the better solution. Such applications with physical AI increase output and flexibility and will make it easier to improve production cycles in the future. “Manufacturing companies, and especially SMEs, must seize their opportunity through AI and the use of their data stocks now, in order not to be left behind internationally in the future,” warns Parusel. Where the humanoids will have their future in the production hall is still unclear today; perhaps in the transport of production resources. However, it is also possible that adapted humanoids with mobile bases will prevail in the mostly level factory floors.

Kitchen without a chef

Three spectacular solutions with physical AI had made it into the final selection for the Robotics Award 2026. The award went to a robot kitchen from the Hamburg-based company Goodbytz. The robotic system not only consists of various arms, pots, and cooking stations, as well as ingredient stations. The AI also intelligently plans the processes, especially when multiple orders are received simultaneously, to ensure minimal waiting times and prevent meals from overcooking or cooling down too much. The station is intended to enable an individual menu selection at all times of the day, even if staff are difficult to find.

A machine tool robot, which can mill and represents a combination of industrial robot and machine tool, narrowly missed out on one of the second places. The robot, developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research (IFAM) in Bremen, can dynamically compensate for errors and balance out occurring vibrations to improve milling quality.

Deutsche Messe, the organizer, expects 3,500 exhibitors from over 60 countries at the Hannover Messe this year. Brazil will be the partner country this year. The halls will be clearly divided into three themes: automation and digitalization, energy systems, and research and technology transfer. In addition, a “Defense Production” park with exhibitors will be set up as a new thematic area.

(agr)