Autumn 2026
Smart Automation Smart insights across automation and technology
READY FOR THE HEAT
Retrofitting Europe's homes for a hotter climate
8 Industry News The latest news and views from the industry
26 Beyond compliance Unlocking value from traceability in building
30 Easier automation Complexity often outpaces performance
42 Component distribution Moving beyond traditional supply chains
PRODUCT LISTINGS
A smart home starts with a smart door! Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings
IoT solutions for commercial buildings, building equipment, and building technology Based on the Connected Building Platform from The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products Bosch Software Innovations and System Solution products. Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com
ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience. Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion. The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/
Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners
Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space. In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries. Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/
Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com
Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/ Download the Report today:
eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com
Grow your business with the global leader The Smart Door Lock Report reveals opportunities for System and Service providers and Retailers.
assaabloy.co.uk/smartreport2016
40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon
Software Innovations
bosch-si.com/connected-building
CONTENTS
Editor Chris Hewett editorial@mebmedia.co.uk Accounts Jay Kempisty accounts@mebmedia.co.uk
4 Ready for the heat Retrofitting Europe's homes for a hotter climate
Publisher Wayne Banks +44 (0)1622 201207 wayne.banks@mebmedia.co.uk Website and Circulation Manager Kevin Villa website@mebmedia.co.uk Design and Production Charles David production@mebmedia.co.uk Smart Automation Magazine is published 4 times a year by MEB Media Publishing Ltd 13 Princes Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1UR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1622 201207, info@mebmedia.co.uk www.mebmedia.co.uk Articles and art may not be reproduced or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. Exclusion of Liability Although every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of all materials published, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Stock images: iStock Copyright © MEB Media Publishing Ltd 2026, all rights reserved.
22 Turning anxiety into advantage
38 Ten benefits of robotic dispensing
4 Ready for the heat Retrofitting Europe's homes for a hotter climate
30 Unlocking easier automation Complexity often outpaces performance
8 Product & Industry News The latest news and views from the industry 22 Turning anxiety into advantage How SMEs can make AI work for them 26 Beyond compliance Unlocking value from traceability in building and construction
34 Five AI myths debunked Fears stifling AI adoption in manufacturing 38 Ten benefits of robotic dispensing No longer reserved for highvolume manufacturers 42 Component distribution Moving beyond traditional supply chains SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 3
COVER STORY
Ready for the heat Retrofitting Europe's homes for a hotter climate
M
ost of Europe's homes were built for a different climate. Rebuilding them is not an option, so as summers get hotter, Raimondo Salandra, Business Line Leader for Home Solutions at ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division, looks at what can be changed: the way a home responds to the heat. For decades, improving Europe's homes largely meant one thing: reducing heat loss.
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Insulation, better glazing, airtightness and heat pumps have made homes far more efficient in winter, which is very important, but Europe's climate has changed, and homes now must deal with hotter summers as well as colder winters. Europe has warmed at more than twice the global average over the past 30 years. Homes designed around the climate of previous decades are increasingly struggling with periods of extreme heat. Insulation helps in summer too. If
a home is well insulated and properly shaded, heat takes longer to get inside. But once the heat is there, the same building fabric can make it harder to get rid of. Heat enters through windows, but it also comes from cooking, appliances and the people inside. Even highly energy-efficient homes can still overheat. Better insulation still matters, but in summer, comfort also depends on how the home is managed: when
blinds close, when windows open and which rooms are cooled. Homes need to be able to adapt for comfort in both winter and summer. Air conditioning isn't enough on its own Only around 20 percent of European homes currently have air conditioning, according to the International Energy Agency, compared with around 90 percent in the United States. But that is changing quickly. Nearly half of Italian homes now have air conditioning, while Britain remains at around 4.3 percent. Space cooling is also one of the fastestgrowing sources of energy demand in buildings. More homes will need cooling as the climate changes. But simply adding more cooling capacity is not a complete answer. At the same time as demand for cooling is rising, air conditioning itself is changing. Under the revised EU F-gas Regulation, the quota for placing HFCs on the EU market is being progressively reduced, with a phase-out scheduled for 2050. All of this puts greater emphasis on how efficiently cooling is used. There is little sense in cooling an entire floor because one bedroom is
occupied. Room-by-room control can make a difference. And for many homes, major building work simply is not realistic. Around half of Europe's housing stock predates 1980. In an occupied home, changing the building fabric can be expensive and disruptive. In other cases, heritage restrictions or tenure make deep renovation difficult. The reality is that you can't always change the building. But you can change how you run it. What running a home for summer looks like There are simple ways to make a home cope better with heat without changing its structure. Take shading.
Most people close the blinds or shutters when they start to feel warm. By then, much of the heat has already made its way into the room. Automation makes it possible to act earlier. Connected to weather data and the position of the sun, external shading can close before direct sunlight reaches a room and reopen when that elevation moves into shadow. The blinds aren’t doing anything new, they’re just moving at the right time. Night-time ventilation is another good option. The coolest part of the day often arrives when people are asleep. Leaving this entirely to the occupants is not always practical. Automated
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 5
windows or vents can open when the outside air is cooler than the air inside and close again before temperatures rise in the morning. The aim is simple: get the heat out of the building overnight so it starts the next day cooler. Then there is the cooling itself. It doesn't always need to cover the whole home. Presence detection and room-level temperature settings can allow cooling to follow the people in the home. Research suggests that combining these measures can have a significant effect. A study in Building and Environment by Kuczyński and colleagues measured test buildings through two real heatwaves, with daily maximums averaging above 30°C. Night ventilation alone lowered peak night-time temperatures in a lightweight room by 5.9K. Combined with closed external blinds and heavier construction, hours above 28°C were eliminated entirely. This was a test room, not an occupied home, and thermal mass played a part in the result. But it shows that how you run a building can make a big difference to its indoor temperature. Much of this can also be added to equipment that already exists. Motorized shutters do not 6 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
necessarily need to be replaced. They can be brought into a control system with actuators. Existing cooling can be scheduled and controlled by room. In Selargius, Sardinia, a district originally built in the 1970s has become the island's first digital condominium. ABB smart building solutions control the common areas, with a KNX weather station providing live climate data to the system. Nobody rebuilt the building; they just changed how it was run. What changes for the trade A retrofit designed for today's climate needs to consider more than heat loss. Which rooms overheat? What happens in the afternoon? Which windows receive the most direct sun? When is the home occupied? These questions should influence the controls strategy as much as the equipment list. Shading and ventilation are good examples. Their value depends on when they operate. A blind that closes too late will not prevent overheating. An upstairs window that opens at the wrong time may bring more heat into the building. Commissioning matters too. The system needs to account for seasonal changes, wind and rain protection, and what happens when an occupant
overrides the automation. And communication with the homeowner is important. If a blind closes at eleven in the morning when the room still feels comfortable, they need to understand why. Otherwise, there is a good chance the automation will be switched off. For installers and integrators, there is work to do beyond installing the equipment. Many homes already have the hardware – shutters, blinds, air conditioning in one or two rooms. What is often missing is coordination. The job is increasingly about understanding how people use their homes, asking the right questions about their lifestyle and setting the controls around them. It is about making the different parts of the home work together, at the right time and in the right place. The smartest homes do this almost invisibly. The blinds close before a room gets too hot. Secondfloor windows open when the air outside cools down. Cooling is directed to the rooms where people need it. The technology is there, but when it is working well, you barely notice it. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Optimize your automation system and engineering investment Customer FIRST for EcoStruxure™ – Geo SCADA Expert Gain access to high-quality support, hardware and software maintenance, and life cycle services.
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PRODUCT & INDUSTRY NEWS
The hidden cost of over-specification Right-sizing control and motion without compromising future flexibility Sports cars are fun to drive, but that extra performance is probably not necessary if your main job is doing the school run. Machine builders often come across similar challenges when specifying automation systems. While some applications require advanced motion control and high-performance hardware, many do not. Here, Karl Walker, business development manager at automation and control specialist, Beckhoff Automation UK, explains why right-sizing automation can reduce costs and provide a stronger foundation for future growth. Deloitte's 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey found that nearly half of manufacturers rank process automation among their top investment priorities over the next two years. As customer expectations evolve, machine builders must balance performance, flexibility and cost while ensuring machines remain adaptable over their lifecycle. Increasingly, the real challenge is not pushing for maximum performance but choosing automation that keeps the machine simple today and adaptable tomorrow. The hidden cost Not every machine requires the highest levels of control complexity or motion performance. However, overspecifying machines can increase upfront costs, extend commissioning times and add unnecessary engineering effort. It can also increase cabinet space requirements, spare parts inventories and maintenance demands. Many automation suppliers segment their portfolios into separate controller families that limit functionality and constrain future scalability. As machine requirements grow, users often face a costly rip-andreplace exercise, replacing hardware and learning entirely new engineering environments. One way to address this problem is to keep control, motion and safety within one automation environment. A machine can begin with a compact controller for
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basic positioning tasks and move to a high-performance industrial PC for more advanced motion control without needing to change the underlying software or communication architecture. This enables clearer upgrade paths for machine builders. They can begin with a streamlined specification and add capabilities later, rather than having to switch between product families or redesign the control architecture as requirements change. Fit-for-purpose motion solutions Beckhoff has developed a new range of products that extends this philosophy to motion hardware. Solutions such as the AX1000 economy servo drive, AF1000 variable frequency drive and ASI/AMI integrated stepper and servo drive provide optimised performance for applications that do not require the highest level of precision control, whilst offering designers the choice of flexible mounting options and system architectures. The EtherCAT-connected AX1000 also simplifies cabinet design by reducing the need for external components, helping OEMs optimise both footprint and cost. This technology is designed for less complex machines, where maximum control or advanced motion is not required, allowing machine builders to match automation performance to the needs of the machine while retaining the flexibility. A car capable of driving 180 mph is adding unnecessary performance if most of its time is spent in 30 mph speed limit zones. In the same way, a machine designed with more control and motion capability than the application needs can introduce unnecessary cost and complexity. By choosing automation that is right-sized from the outset, machine builders can meet today’s requirements while remaining ready for tomorrow’s requirements. Click here for more information about Beckhoff's economy range and scalable automation technologies.
New IE5 standard raises the bar for industrial energy efficiency
Updated IEC 60034-30-1 framework gives engineers clearer guidance on specifying high-efficiency motors The updated IEC 60034-30-1:2025 standard has introduced IE5 as a defined motor efficiency classification, giving manufacturers, engineers and end users a clearer benchmark for specifying high-efficiency motors. For industrial sites where pumps, fans, compressors and conveyors often run continuously, the change could have a significant impact on lifecycle energy costs. WEG, the global manufacturer of motors and drives, is supporting customers through the transition with an application-led portfolio that includes motors capable of meeting or exceeding IE5 efficiency levels, alongside engineering support to assess compatibility, payback and total cost of ownership (TCO). The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)’s revised IEC 60034-30-1 standard provides a transparent framework for motor efficiency classification across international markets, making it easier to compare different technologies and applications. By defining minimum efficiency levels across a wide range of motor types, it establishes a consistent benchmark for manufacturers, engineers and end users. “As industrial energy demands continue to grow, the updated IE5 standard provides clearer direction for future motor development,” said Marcio Yoshikazu Ematsu, European marketing manager at WEG. “By combining improved efficiency benchmarks with practical guidance on implementation, the IEC 6003430-1 standard supports industry in reducing energy consumption while maintaining performance, reliability and operational flexibility.” “WEG already manufactures and supplies motors that can exceed IE5,” added Ematsu. “Our portfolio spans the full range of IE efficiency classes. This is supported by technical expertise that helps customers evaluate
potential energy savings, assess compatibility with existing installations and identify the most cost-effective upgrade path.” Technologies already available on the market that are aligned with these higher efficiency levels include WEG’s W22 induction motor range. The W22 motor range has recently been extended with the W22 Prime, which delivers IE4 and IE5 efficiency while maintaining direct-on-line (DOL) operation and compatibility with standard frame sizes, supporting straightforward upgrades without additional system complexity. In addition, the W23 Sync+ and W23 Sync+ ULTRA motor range uses synchronous reluctance permanent magnet technology to achieve higher efficiency and power density, reducing losses in continuous-duty applications such as pumps, fans and compressors. For industry, IE5’s impact is closely tied to long-term performance. Motors in applications such as pumps, fans, compressors and conveyors often run continuously for years, so even small efficiency gains can significantly reduce energy use and TCO. The standard also highlights that the highest efficiency class is not always the most appropriate solution for every application. Factors such as duty cycle, starting requirements, installation constraints and system integration must be carefully considered to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. The new IE5 classification also creates a clearer basis for technical discussions between manufacturers, specifiers and end users. Because efficiency can now be assessed more consistently across power ratings, frequencies and motor technologies, customers can compare upgrade options more accurately and select motors based on the realities of their application. To learn more about WEG’s high-efficiency motors and engineering support, visit its website. SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 9
Tekpak Automation’s 3-axis pick-and-place robotics cell to take centre stage Tekpak Automation will demonstrate a LIVE working 3-axis pick-and-place cell on Stand G74 at PPMA Show 2026, showcasing the benefits of robotics to food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers of all sizes. Shortlisted in no less than THREE categories at the Automate UK Awards – which is being held on the evening of the second day of the PPMA Show – Tekpak is renowned for solving complex packaging line challenges with its proven, modular automation solutions which are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing lines, fit constrained spaces and enable tool-less changeovers. The centrepiece of the company’s stand this year will be the TD3/R Series – a dynamic 3-axis robotic pick-and-place cell suitable for loading or stacking products into trays, cases, cartons, a thermoformer or a flow-wrapper infeed. This compact automated system is flexible, offers rapid size change capability and features a quickchange gripper for multiple formats. Ideal in cleanroom environments or where space is limited, it’s also highly accurate thanks to robot positional accuracy of +/- 0.1mm and position tracking using vision control. In addition, the system is easy to use thanks to accessible touch-screen displays and boasts gentle handling and optimal safety functions. “The PPMA Show is the highlight of the UK’s processing and packaging calendar, showcasing the innovative and creative technologies on the market right now to help manufacturers address key challenges 10 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
such as rising energy costs and staff shortages,” says Ian Marks, Tekpak Automation’s Head of UK Sales. “At Tekpak, we strive to support customers in reducing their operational costs while improving their OEE with our range of reliable, modular automation solutions. We can’t wait to demonstrate this to visitors to our stand, where they can see a live example of one of our most popular pick-and-place cells in action.” In further evidence of Tekpak’s excellence in automation, the company has been shortlisted in three separate categories at the Automate UK Awards 2026. Taking place at The Vox, Birmingham on night two of the PPMA Show (23 Sept), Tekpak will compete to be named the best of the best in the following areas thanks to an impressive pick-and-place cell they recently installed for a manufacturer of transdermal patches: • Innovative Packaging Machinery • Innovative Robotics/Automation Solution • Innovative Vision Solution “To be nominated in not just one but three categories against such an impressive line-up of OEMs is an honour in itself,” states Ian. “We are very much looking forward to celebrating the best of British automation technology at this year’s Automate UK Awards.” To find out more about how Tekpak Automation’s range of automated packaging solutions can help to futureproof your business, visit Stand G74 at PPMA Show 2026 (22-24 September 2026, NEC Birmingham), or go to www.tekpakautomation.com.
Designing machines to see and move.
THAT’S SMART.
Building the vision for fully integrated and automated factories?
THAT’S INTELLIGENT.
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Fully connected with FLIR iXX: Onterris delivers faster inspections, better accuracy, real savings Thermal imaging and structured workflows in practice Thermal imaging is a key part of Onterris’ inspections, helping teams quickly spot temperature differences that reveal moisture paths, hidden leaks, and other issues not visible to the eye. It also supports airflow checks, identification of potential biological growth, and detection of chemical leaks. Combined with moisture meters, hygrometers, and iPads running the company’s proprietary Moisture Assessment Survey Tool (MAST®) along with LiDAR scanning and integrated data capture, this setup allows teams to efficiently map conditions, document findings, and deliver clear, client-ready reports that support remediation decisions. Choosing the iXX-Series Before adopting the Flir iXX Series, Onterris used a mix of Flir Ex and Cx-Series cameras. The move to iXX was driven by the need for higher accuracy and field efficiency, enabling teams to reliably detect even subtle issues, work comfortably through long inspections, and efficiently cover larger or elevated areas. The ability to connect thermal images directly with the company’s MAST® platform was particularly valuable, eliminating manual steps and reducing the risk of errors.
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Immediate impact: faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective The transition to the iXX Series has delivered measurable improvements across operations. This translates to more efficient inspections and better outcomes for clients, without increasing operational complexity. In practice, the iXX cameras have helped Onterris identify problem areas earlier and with greater confidence, increase responder productivity in the field, simplify training and deployment, and deliver more consistent and reliable inspection results. The cost reduction alone demonstrates how improved imaging capability and seamless data integration can directly impact profitability and scalability. Tangible benefits and future direction This allows teams to resolve issues faster and with greater confidence, while improving overall client satisfaction. The adoption of the iXX-Series has also delivered benefits beyond field performance, improving team morale and confidence in equipment, enabling faster turnaround times for clients, and providing stronger data quality and reporting. To learn more about how Onterris works to protect human health and the environment, visit Onterris.com
Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo returns to London for 2026
The Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo is London's leading event for supply chain and logistics, bringing together senior logistics professionals with hundreds of companies shaping the future of retail distribution. From warehousing and fulfilment to security, contactless payments and the wider customer experience, you will find the tools, technologies and services to transform how your business operates. Listen to a handpicked group of industry experts delivering seminars and keynote talks on operational efficiency, delivery, returns and everything shaping modern retail logistics. You will receive all of the knowledge you need to start, grow or scale your retail business. The Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo is colocated with 3 other industry events: Smart Retail Tech Expo, E-commerce, Packaging and Labelling Expo, and White & Private Label Expo. Your FREE ticket to one show gives you access to all four. ExceL London on 11th & 12th November will be a one-stop shop for all of your retail needs, from manufacturing to delivery and everything in between. With over 200 leading suppliers, visitors can network and build relationships with organisations able to tailor their offering to individual business needs. Whether a small retailer or multinational seller, improving the supply chain is vital to remaining competitive. The event brings together independent retailers, supply chain start-ups and major chains looking to source the latest technological advancements and
equipment to transform their supply chain and logistics strategies. Exhibitors cover the journey of a product from the initial purchase of raw materials through to delivery into customers’ hands, with solutions spanning areas including logistics, freight forwarding, robotics, RFID, warehousing and supply chain management. The event offers visitors the opportunity to explore new technologies and solutions designed to streamline logistics, enhance efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. From transport technologies to advanced warehouse automation, the organisers say the focus is on providing practical insights and tools that can be applied across supply chain and logistics operations. More than 200 exhibitors will showcase products and services across the two-day event. The exhibition will also feature its Industry Awards, recognising exhibitors providing innovative products within the logistics and supply chain sector. The speaker programme brings together representatives from across retail, logistics, technology and supply chain. Confirmed speakers include representatives from Amazon, NHS Supply Chain, Reckitt, ASDA, B&Q, GXO Logistics and Capgemini. Find out more information on our website: • Register for your free ticket here: • Dates: 11th & 12th November 2026 • Location: ExCel London SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 13
Endoline Automation broadens robotics capability ahead of PPMA Endoline Automation is expanding its robotics capability, enabling manufacturers to access an even broader range of end-of-line automation solutions tailored to their individual production requirements. The enhanced offering will make its PPMA debut this September (Stand D90) where, for the first time, visitors to the Endoline stand will see a fully integrated production line combining case erecting, case sealing and palletising. The demonstration reflects Endoline's continued commitment to delivering complete, connected endof-line solutions that can be engineered around each customer's exact operational needs. Building on the success of its robotics division, launched in response to growing demand for fully automated packaging systems, Endoline has broadened its robotics portfolio through a collaboration with Montech. The partnership complements the company's existing robotics capability, enabling Endoline to offer both gantry and articulated robotic solutions as part of its end-of-line automation portfolio. The expanded capability provides manufacturers with greater flexibility when specifying automation projects. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, Endoline can recommend the most appropriate robotic technology based on product type, throughput, factory layout and future production requirements, creating bespoke solutions that evolve alongside each customer's business. At PPMA, visitors will see an Endoline Case Erector and case sealer integrated with Montech’s palletising system. While operating as a complete production line, each machine can also function independently or be integrated into existing packaging operations, providing customers with a scalable approach to automation 14 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
investment. "Every production environment is different, which is why we've always focused on engineering solutions around our customers rather than expecting customers to adapt to standard equipment,” explains Andrew Yates, Managing Director of Endoline Automation and Endoline Robotics. “Expanding our robotics capability allows us to offer even greater flexibility. Whether a project is best suited to gantry or articulated robotics, our focus remains the same – engineering the right end-of-line solution for that customer's application. "As labour availability continues to challenge food manufacturers and demand for automation grows, customers are increasingly looking for complete solutions from a trusted engineering partner. By broadening our robotics offering, we're able to support a wider range of applications while continuing to deliver the bespoke engineering, reliability and technical support that Endoline has become known for." The collaboration also brings together two familyowned engineering businesses with more than 40 years of experience designing automation solutions. Endoline has successfully integrated its end-of-line systems with Montech technologies on customer installations in Europe for many years, making the latest expansion a natural progression that further strengthens the company's ability to deliver complete automation solutions for manufacturers in the UK and overseas. Visitors to stand D90 at the PPMA Show will have the opportunity to discuss bespoke automation projects with Endoline's engineering team and see how integrated end-of-line systems can be configured to improve productivity, maximise factory space and provide the flexibility needed to support future growth.
Switch and dim lights, call up lighting moods, save energy
Play music, control multiroom systems
Time-dependent control of blinds and shutters, monitor windows and doors
Analyse data and consumption
See who is calling, display camera images, secure building
Display energy consumption, turn power outlets on and off, save electricity
Control and monitor building technology from outside
Regulate heaters and air conditioning units automatically, heat in an energy-conscious manner
Synchronise calendars and time clocks, play occupancy simulations
Save energy, manage energy consumption, heat in an energy-conscious manner, protect the climate
Call up weather forecasts, use weather services
Monitor and automatically open and close windows and doors, secure building
Control innovative building technology via radio
Use door communication and keyless access control, secure building
Simulate occupancy, use timers, secure building
Intelligent building technology from Gira
Grid expansion electrifies PP C&A’s move into the energy market with £20m order haul One of the UK’s leading strategic manufacturing specialists is tapping into the UK’s unprecedented investment in upgrading the electricity grid. PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), which has more than five decades of experience building complex control systems and electrical assemblies, has won £20m of orders from clients looking for greater flexibility and the ability to scale up production to meet demand. The Cheslyn Hay-based firm is working in partnership with civil and structural engineering partners to make protection and control panels, SCADA and RTU systems, LVAC and DC battery charger panels, switchgear controls and decentralised energy and storage. “Our approach is intended to reduce unnecessary handovers, improve buildability and give project teams access to scalable manufacturing capacity when internal or incumbent resources are under pressure,” explained Richard Spears, Industrial Markets Specialist at PP C&A. “The grid upgrade represents an enormous opportunity for the energy sector and the wider UK economy, but investment targets will ultimately be judged by what is successfully built and connected. That’s where we aim to come into our own and it appears the market is responding to our expertise, with £20m of energy projects currently underway at PP C&A.” Britain’s electricity grid is entering one of the most significant periods of expansion and modernisation in its history Over £77 billion is being spent between Ofgem, National Grid, SP Energy Networks and SSEN Transmissions on electricity transmission projects, new major substations and hundreds of kilometres of upgraded or replaced lines. However, a significant investment programme does 16 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
not automatically produce additional skilled people, production space, test capability or experienced suppliers. Richard picked up the story: “Expanding permanent internal capacity may be expensive, slow and difficult to justify where project volumes fluctuate. Spreading work across multiple smaller suppliers can add interfaces, inconsistency and coordination risk. “A more resilient model is to develop long-term relationships with manufacturing partners that can add scalable capacity around the core project team. It is this positioning that has secured PP Control & Automation a considerable share of energy sector work and it is growing.” He went on to add: “Importantly, this doesn’t mean outsourcing responsibility. The basis for the relationship is centred on creating a more integrated delivery structure in which design, procurement, manufacture, assembly, testing and documentation are considered together. “Standardisation and modularisation can also play an important role. Where repeatable architectures, approved components and defined build standards can be established, project teams can reduce engineering duplication, improve consistency and make it easier to manufacture at scale. PP Control & Automation, which employs over 200 people at its state-of-the-art facility in the West Midlands, is a strategic outsourcing partner for many of the world’s leading machine builders and OEMs, providing module or assembly-based, part or full machine build production capabilities. For further information, please visit www.ppcanda.com.
Nordic’s nRF9151 opens satellite and cellular IoT to a new class of connected devices
Skylo certification, inherited by embedded modem maker LooUQ, gives IoT developers a faster path to building devices that connect across cellular and satellite networks using Skylo's standards-based NTN service. Nordic Semiconductor (OSE: NOD), a global leader in low-power wireless connectivity solutions, today announced a faster path to satellite and cellular IoT. Embedded modem innovator LooUQ's MTC2-N9151 has earned Skylo Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) certification, building on Nordic's own Skylo-certified nRF9151 to reduce time-to-market for IoT product developers. Water technology company Remsight is already deploying the compact, drop-in embedded modem from LooUQ to monitor water infrastructure across the American West, reaching the field much faster and at lower cost than it would have building their own solution from scratch. One certification, inherited down the stack Nordic’s smallest and lowest-power cellular IoT module, the nRF9151, lets IoT devices stay connected wherever they are deployed, from dense city grids to terrain with no cellular coverage. It integrates an open application MCU, an LTE-M/NB-IoT or DECT NR+ modem, NB-NTN satellite support, and security features in a single package, so developers no longer need to add proprietary satellite hardware that costs time and money to develop. Skylo operates as a standard 3GPP NB-NTN network accessible through Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partnerships, letting certified devices roam automatically between terrestrial and satellite coverage. The nRF9151 earned Skylo certification earlier this year, after a firmware release added full NTN
satellite support to its mature LTE-M/NB-IoT solution, marking Nordic's first step into direct-to-satellite communication from a standard cellular module. Because the certification sits at the module level, partners like Michigan-based LooUQ, which build on the nRF9151, inherit that certification. That matters most for IoT devices deployed far from cell towers, including other smart water sensors, agricultural monitoring, energy infrastructure, asset tracking, and logistics devices, where a missed reading carries real operational cost. LooUQ's MTC2-N9151 is the first embedded modem to inherit the certification this way. Any product designed around it inherit the certification and can commercially deploy onto Skylo's NTN service, switching automatically between satellite and cellular depending on coverage, with no change to the application software, due to the capabilities of the nRF9151 module. A faster path for the ecosystem, not just one product The practical effect is a shorter path to market for every company that builds on the certified foundation. LooUQ's module requires only two external components to integrate into a new product, and its NTN/TN antenna supports both terrestrial LTE and satellite 3GPP NB-NTN bands in a single element, eliminating the need for separate antenna characterization. Device makers building on the MTC2-N9151 can pursue their own Skylo certification with substantially reduced testing, rather than repeating the certification work Nordic and LooUQ have already done. LooUQ has been an official Nordic module partner in the company’s Partner Program since 2025, aiming to offer carrier-end device certification and further simplify integration and regulatory certification for IoT device makers. SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 17
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ASRock Industrial achieves the world’s first O-PAS™ Certification with iEP-5010G
ASRock Industrial today announced that its iEP-5010G010 industrial IoT Controller has become the world’s first product to achieve The Open Group’s O-PAS™ Certification. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the advancement of open, interoperable, and secure process automation, demonstrating ASRock Industrial's commitment to delivering innovative edge computing platforms that support the industry's transition toward open automation architectures. By enabling standards-based integration across multi-vendor environments, the iEP-5010G-010 helps customers reduce vendor lock-in, simplify system integration, and accelerate digital transformation in industrial applications. The iEP-5010G-010 has achieved O-PAS™ Certification under the O-PAS™ Certification Program for O-PAS™ Standard 2nd Edition, conforming to the OSM-003 Redfish® System Management Profile and the PP-003 Regulatory Physical Platform Profile requirements. The product was independently verified by Enterprise Transformation Partners and IECEE. In addition, the iEP-5010G-010 has achieved IEC 62443-4-2 certification for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) components, providing a strong cybersecurity foundation to support O-PAS™ Certification. The O-PAS™ Certification confirms the platform’s support for standardized in-band system management through Redfish®, enabling hardware management, OS information, metrics, and DCN visibility. In addition, compliance with PP-003 confirms that the platform meets the physical requirements for regulatory control devices, providing a secure, interoperable, and scalable foundation for process automation systems based on O-PAS™ Standard. “Achieving the world’s first product certified under the O-PAS™ Certification Program reflects ASRock
Industrial’s commitment to advancing open industrial automation through the adoption of industry standards and continuous innovation,” said James Lee, Chairman of ASRock Industrial. “As industrial infrastructure continues to evolve toward more open and interoperable architectures, we remain committed to delivering reliable edge computing platforms that help customers simplify system integration, modernize critical operations, and build future-ready automation systems.” Aneil Ali, the Open Process Automation Forum Director at The Open Group, commented, “The O-PAS Certification Program is a significant milestone for the process automation industry and the Open Process Automation Forum. From the outset, end users emphasized the importance of independent testability over self-declared conformance, and O-PAS product certification delivers exactly that.” As the first product certified under the O-PAS™ Certification Program, the ASRock Industrial iEP-5010G-010 demonstrates compliance through independent verification and provides a trusted, standards-based foundation for interoperable process automation systems. This milestone further expands ASRock Industrial’s portfolio of internationally certified industrial computing platforms and reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting open industry standards, secure edge computing, and next-generation automation technologies. By enabling customers to deploy interoperable, standards-based industrial computing platforms, ASRock Industrial continues to help accelerate the digital transformation of critical industrial infrastructure. For more information about ASRock Industrial, please visit https://www.asrockind.com.
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 19
EDF and Heliotec launch partnership to help small businesses reduce energy costs • The four-month trial will provide over 1,000 eligible EDF Small Business customers with free access to Heliotec's AI-powered energy intelligence platform. • Customers receive real-time, site-specific recommendations in clear, practical language, to help them take immediate action to reduce unnecessary energy costs and waste. • No hardware installation required, allowing businesses to take control of their energy use without interrupting day-to-day operations. EDF Small Business and Heliotec today announced a partnership that begins with a four-month trial involving over 1,000 eligible EDF Small Business customers. The partnership combines EDF's expertise and customer relationships with Heliotec's AI-powered energy intelligence platform to make energy management more practical and accessible. Small businesses are under growing pressure from rising energy costs and a more complex energy landscape, increasing the need for simple, practical ways to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs. Heliotec's AI-powered platform analyses site-level energy data to identify inefficiencies and deliver realtime, site-specific recommendations in clear, practical language. The platform translates complex energy data into straightforward actions, providing clear guidance that businesses can act on immediately. This approach reduces the time and effort required to improve energy performance, without the need for additional hardware installation or complex implementation, allowing businesses to focus on 20 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
running and growing their operations. The four-month trial will provide over 1,000 eligible EDF Small Business customers across hospitality, retail and light industry with free access to the platform. Customers who choose to participate will securely share existing energy data with Heliotec, enabling the platform to begin analysing energy consumption and delivering tailored recommendations within days. As part of the trial, a select group of early adopter businesses will also receive free hardware sensors, giving them equipment-level disaggregated data for even more granular insight into where energy is being used across their sites. Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF said: "Small businesses are looking for practical ways to manage rising energy costs without adding complexity to their day-to-day operations. This partnership with Heliotec gives eligible customers access to clear, actionable guidance that can help them improve energy performance while keeping implementation simple." Thomas Eskebæk, CEO and founder of Heliotec added: "Small businesses don't need more data. They need to know what action to take. That's the problem Heliotec was created to solve. By partnering with EDF, we can make that support available to many more small businesses, helping them take greater control of their energy use." Insights from the trial will help inform future collaboration between EDF and Heliotec, supporting efforts to make practical energy management more accessible for small businesses across the UK. Click here to find out more.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Turning anxiety into advantage How SMEs can make AI work for them by Johann Aguirre, founder of Cachi AI
T
he use of artificial intelligence (AI) in UK businesses has increased from around 12% to around 35% since late 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics. That being said, data shows that adoption varies significantly depending on business size and market sector. Where large and established businesses may be implementing AI in complex ways, for example using AI powered robotics, digital twins or autonomous manufacturing, that doesn’t mean there’s not a valid place for AI when it comes to SMEs. Saving time on repetitive tasks SMEs are much more likely to be using AI to automate repetitive or
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menial tasks that are less nuanced and don’t require the creativity, logic, insight, analysis, and opinion that can only come from real people. That way, employees are freed up to do those jobs that the company would much rather have a real, living, thinking person working on. A great example of this is customer service. You can look at customer enquiries as a pyramid where the base, i.e. the largest portion, tends to be quick and easily answered questions, but a smaller portion of enquires are more complex and require in-depth, considered responses. By using AI powered chat bots as the first line of defence, the vast majority of customer enquiries can be answered within seconds, day or
night. This frees up employee time to answer more complex, or nuanced questions, with the overall result being fewer employees needed in customer service roles, and quicker answers for both those answered by the chat bots, and those that are not waiting hours for a human operator to become available. Other common uses of AI for SMEs include processing invoices, qualifying potential leads, screening CVs for essential information, and scheduling meetings. Consolidating software While these are all valid and beneficial uses of AI, the strongest return on investment comes from consolidating software. Rather than being added as a
standalone piece of software, AI tools can replace multiple manual tools that are not designed to work together and cause overall operations to become clunky and inefficient. It’s not unusual for SMEs to be paying for separate tools, covering meeting transcriptions, customer support, email marketing, content writing, data analysis, and so many other functions. These software-as-a-service (SaaS) systems don’t come cheap and can cost business owners significant monthly sums. What’s more, workers can lose significant amounts of time switching between apps and inputting information from one system into the next to perform some business processes. This constant manual movement of data opens up opportunities for human error; even the most capable employees are not immune to mistakes. If AI can search across systems, summarising information and carrying out repetitive tasks, employees can stay in one interface for more of their work, plus spend their valuable time on tasks that genuinely require their expertise. Even a saving of 20 minutes per day can add up to substantial gains over the space of a year, or even a month. Some SMEs have reported saving up to £500 per month, purely
by using AI to consolidatie software systems. Another argument for consolidating software is easier governance and security. Managing fewer individual vendors and platforms means there are fewer log ins, and therefore fewer entry opportunities for cyber-attacks. Logistical factors like compliance and data retention are also simplified, saving SME owners time and, ultimately, money. Cutting the tape It’s no surprise that SMEs have less red tape when compared with larger companies; they typically have fewer layers to the organisation and faster decision making. Of course, they face the same legal and security requirements of larger businesses, but processes within the company are often more streamlined. As a result, new technology like AI is implemented more quickly. An SME owner often takes the role of department head, IT, legal, and finance, which makes it obvious why those decisions can be made faster. Even when multiple voices are involved, employees tend to work more closely together and feedback is direct or at least reaches decision makers quickly. While large companies frequently face formal governance involving risk assessments, pilot programmes, and potentially even voting systems,
an SME owner is able to make the decision they see fit for their business without much, or any, friction. Where to begin It might actually be best to first explain where not to begin. Business owners excited by the potential of AI might be tempted to try and automate everything at once, running before they can walk, and choosing projects without clear direction. Start small. Begin with manual, repetitive tasks that are simple, but require time investment from you or your employees. Great examples are summarising meetings, entering data, or processing invoices. Each of these activities takes a significant amount of time but are well suited to AI assistance. It’s best to avoid complex or critical projects to begin with, so risk is minimal. Don’t forget, the best use of AI is where it improves our lives. Which tasks do you dread? More often than not, those are the menial, time-consuming tasks that you know take up precious time that should be spent on more productive, creative, or interesting activities. Prioritising high-frequency tasks will help business owners get the most out of their AI from the outset. A task that takes five minutes but is performed 200 times a week will undoubtedly offer a better return than one that takes two hours but only happens once a month.
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 23
To understand what’s working, make sure there’s measurable outcomes. You could look at hours saved per week, reduction in processing time, or reduced errors. This will help you understand whether your AI is actually adding value, and if not, redirect your use of it. This is especially important for SME employees who are implementing AI but are reporting to managers; if success can’t be measured, it’s hard to demonstrate ROI. Busting a few myths Lots of SME owners recognise that AI is becoming important, but hesitate due to some common myths.
Johann Aguirre
One of the primary fears when it comes to AI is that it will replace employees. Owners worry that AI adoption will create fear, resistance from employees, and even job loss. But for SMEs, AI is best for augmenting employees, rather than replacing them; in other words, making their lives easier. By involving employees in the process and asking them to help identify pain points, you can ease anxieties and implement AI where it’s most needed. Many assume that the technology is only available to large companies with big budgets. They think they’ll need to invest thousands before seeing any return. In reality, the
strongest early returns come from simple AI applications, and the benefits to SMEs are just as significant as those bigger businesses. Some SME owners worry that AI makes too many mistakes and could lead to inaccuracies within the business. This is a fair point; if implemented incorrectly, lazily, and without frequent review, AI will make mistakes. After all, it’s not a magic solution, and is only as useful as the inputs it’s provided with. AI outputs should always be reviewed, especially when it’s being used for important decisions. Introducing human approvals is essential, and if you’re going beyond off-the-shelf- AI tools, bringing on an AI engineer could save a headache later down the line. Conclusion AI isn’t just for large companies with budgets to match. For SMEs, the biggest opportunities come from solving every day, repetitive challenges so employees are free to focus on higher value, creative tasks. Those that start by identifying practical problems and pain points for their employees, then test simple AI solutions to reach measured outcomes are the SMEs that will actually benefit from the AI revolution.
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Beyond compliance Unlocking value from traceability in building and construction
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he construction industry is at a critical turning point. New regulations designed to improve building safety, sustainability, and accountability will demand significantly improved materials traceability from design through to deconstruction. While regulation is driving this change, it is the additional potential benefits to the industry that are compelling. Digital product passports will ensure building and construction products and components are identifiable from design, production,
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construction, and maintenance, right through to deconstruction and recycling. This ‘golden thread’ of information offers the industry far more than regulatory compliance: end-to-end traceability provides the foundation for improved operational efficiency, significant waste reduction, enhanced cost control, and a new level of supply chain collaboration. As Rob Ellinor, Global Building & Construction Sector Manager, Domino explains. Escalating construction compliance
New EU regulations including the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) are set to place new demands on manufacturers and suppliers of construction products. The direction of travel is clear: manufacturers will need to provide structured, digital product information that can be accessed and shared consistently throughout the lifecycle of a building. In the UK, the need for improved traceability is already understood. The ‘golden thread’ of data is used to describe a digital record of a building’s crucial safety and design information. While currently only
legally mandated for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), there is growing awareness across building companies of the value of a single source of truth across projects of all sizes. To date, the limitation to achieving this golden thread has been a lack of standardisation and single, agreed operating framework. The result has been siloed operations that have constrained effective, end-to-end supply chain collaboration, which is required to improve operational effectiveness and maximise the value of deep product data. The shift towards a more regulated environment will, however, accelerate change and encourage the widespread adoption of standards required to achieve a more consistent and transparent construction process. Data standards support construction compliance As seen in other industries, most notably pharmaceutical, standardisation and the adoption of a globally recognised, accessible language, such as that provided
by 2D codes powered by GS1, is the foundation for effective data sharing and traceability. It enables consistent, trusted, and usable information to be seamlessly transferred from one end of the supply chain to the other, allowing organisations at every stage to leverage real-time information to improve efficiency and control. The depth of information that can be included within a digital product passport is compelling. While demands vary dependent upon product type, essentially the regulations will require the provision of a globally unique product identifier; a digital data carrier (e.g. QR, NFC, RFID); product performance and safety information; compliance and certification documentation; environmental performance data; and material composition. Leveraging a standardised language to provide this deep data supports far more effective information flow between systems and people, from the factory through to the building site. It will allow construction organisations to create a digital record, or ‘twin’ of
a building, with evidence of what products were used, and where. This digital twin can also be used to demonstrate that the building meets the required standards, with the addition of unique identifiers allowing products to be tracked down to batch level for mass produced items, and individual level for higher risk items such as fire doors. Extracting value from data beyond compliance Regulatory compliance should just be the beginning of significant operational change and additional benefits over and above remaining compliant. Improved product information can support greater automation and real-time process management that can significantly improve day-to-day operational performance. For construction companies, product deliveries can be scanned as they arrive on site, removing the inaccuracies and delays associated with manual paperwork. Real-time scanning of items as they are installed can help to ensure the correct parts are used
Rob Ellinor
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 27
across a building project. Additional information can include products that need to be paired to ensure correct installation, further improving quality and avoiding the risk of expensive delays or inspection failures. Indeed, site inspectors with detailed insight in advance into the specific high-risk areas that require assessment, can achieve more focused and faster inspections and sign off. Replacing manual paperwork with real-time information from product identifiers can also allow construction companies to move away from the ‘just in case’ stock ordering that has been traditionally adopted to avoid delays. In addition to cutting cost, the avoidance of over-ordering materials will also minimise waste, further supporting construction companies’ sustainability goals. Identifiable surplus materials can be returned or re-used rather than disposed of, further reducing waste and cost. Leveraging data to improve operational performance Detailed item-level information can also enable construction companies to improve stock rotation. For perishable items, such as plaster, controls can be implemented to avoid products going out of date and being wasted – adding both cost and, 28 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
potentially, the need for complex disposal processes. Critically, it also reinforces safety protocols for products such as cement which can be hazardous to workers and undermine building integrity. For building product manufacturers, utilising global standards such as GS1 Digital Link, enables more data to be tracked and linked to products, supporting targeted recall, if required. Faulty batches can be identified and located rapidly, ensuring only affected products are recalled, minimising the potential business cost. Furthermore, complete traceability will also avoid the problems associated with identifying buildings affected by problems, as occurred after the Grenfell building fire in London. This depth of data, when accessed via a product identifier, can also support far more effective anti-counterfeit activity, enabling construction sites to verify genuine materials and confidently use authentic, safe products and, through the use of resolvers, enables different stakeholders to access different data sets or web pages at different point in the value chain. Leveraging compliance to achieve competitive advantage
The addition of detailed, unique identifiers will allow organisations throughout the building and construction industry to ensure compliance with new and upcoming regulations. But more importantly, it will also change the way organisations interact and collaborate up and down the supply chain. The additional depth of information that can be provided on products at both batch and individual level provides an opportunity for materials manufacturers to become embedded within the end-to-end supply chain, offering additional value to construction companies that is a tangible commercial differentiator. The provision of product information through adopting global standards, such as 2D codes powered by GS1, will become not only a compliance requirement but a commercial necessity. Today there is a compelling opportunity to look beyond the perception that compliance is an overhead and recognise that building and construction manufacturers can deliver significant value throughout a connected and collaborative supply chain.
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INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
Unlocking easier automation
E
When it comes to automation systems, complexity tends to grow faster than performance
ach new generation of machines promises higher precision, greater flexibility, and faster commissioning – but the reality is that these ambitions often translate into more wiring, more configuration, and more integration headaches. The result is a development cycle that’s harder to control, at a point when customers expect shorter lead times and lower costs.
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As automation systems grow more complex, machine builders are rethinking how they design and deploy motion. Nicola Pezzolato, Application Engineering Leader EMEA at Kollmorgen, explores how a new generation of servo technology is helping manufacturers simplify design, improve flexibility, and build greater resilience into their supply chains. That’s the challenge facing today’s
machine builders. They’re under pressure to deliver high-performing systems in record time while navigating unpredictable supply chains, competing global standards, and shifting component availability. In that environment, the biggest advances don’t always come from adding new features or exotic capabilities, but from rethinking the fundamentals.
That shift involves three key ideas. The first is right-sizing: ensuring that systems include only the functions and features that add value, rather than paying for capabilities that will never be used. The second is openness: creating motion systems that can connect freely across different controllers, protocols, and markets without locking users into closed ecosystems. Finally, the third is resilience: designing equipment that can be built and supported reliably, even amid global uncertainty. Together, these principles define a new approach to motion control; one where flexibility, reliability, and simplicity are not in conflict, but part of the same design philosophy. The cost of unnecessary complexity In the effort to design flexible machines, many OEMs end up over-specifying their motion systems. They select servo drives and motors packed with advanced features that have plenty of potential benefits in theory but, in practice, will never be used. Now, the motivation behind this is very understandable. Buying the “top-end” option can seem like a safe hedge against future requirements
and edge-cases. However, this approach carries hidden (and, sometimes, not-sohidden) costs. Each unused feature adds overheads in engineering effort, configuration time, and inventory management. Over-specified systems also tend to demand more from the control environment, all the way from safety validation to thermal management. Multiply that by dozens of axes, and the cost of complexity can become a serious drag on development efficiency and real-world usage. In our experience, we’ve found that around 80% of applications only use a relatively basic set of essential features. As such, a more effective design strategy is to take a modular view of machine design – choosing motion components that deliver exactly the capabilities required for a given task, without the excess. That doesn’t mean compromising on performance; rather, it’s about applying the same precision we value in motion control to system design itself. This “right-sizing” philosophy is gaining traction across the automation world. It’s reflected in the growing demand for servo platforms that can cover the majority
of applications with standardized, streamlined options. By eliminating unnecessary features and focusing on what most users actually need, machine builders can simplify their engineering process and improve time to market, while still meeting demanding performance standards. Open systems, not closed ecosystems Many control platforms form what can only be described as closed ecosystems: the controller, drives, software, and even cabling are designed to work only with each other. In theory, this ensures compatibility. In practice, however, it often creates inefficiencies. It ties machine builders to a single vendor, restricting flexibility and creating difficulties when supply issues arise or when a customer prefers a different PLC environment. A more open, interoperable approach is now emerging, one that aims to give OEMs freedom without sacrificing reliability. Multi-protocol servo drives, for instance, can operate across EtherCAT, PROFINET, and EtherNet/IP networks through simple software configuration rather than hardware changes.
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This allows the same drive and motor platform to integrate with a wide range of controllers and fieldbus architectures, regardless of geography or customer preference. For global machine builders, that’s a major advantage. A machine designed for one market can be deployed in another without reworking the control architecture or maintaining separate bills of materials for each protocol. This simplifies certification, reduces engineering overheads, and improves long-term serviceability. Open systems also make it easier to mix and match technology partners. Drives and motors can come from one supplier, PLCs and HMIs from another. So long as everyone speaks the same “language” through standardized communication layers, they can work together effectively. This not only helps to simplify set-up and avoid compatibility issues, it also helps OEMs build resilient systems and respond quickly when components are scarce or delayed – something that remains front-ofmind for many businesses after the 32 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
disruptions we’ve seen over recent years. Meeting modern expectations For machine builders, the value of openness and simplicity goes beyond convenience. It enables better business decisions. When hardware can be deployed across multiple regions and control architectures, inventory management becomes easier. When drive systems are available from stock with predictable lead times, project planning becomes more reliable; and when software tools minimize the risk of setup errors, commissioning becomes faster and more consistent across teams and sites. That’s why the industry is beginning to see a quiet shift in mindset. The old equation – more features = more capability – is giving way to something more nuanced. Enough features, applied intelligently, equals better outcomes. Manufacturers like Kollmorgen have responded to this change by developing servo platforms built around the essential features most users need, rather than every feature
that could be imagined. Systems like the Kollmorgen Essentials range reflect a pragmatic approach to automation: maintaining highquality performance and global interoperability while trimming away unnecessary complexity. The result isn’t a compromise, but rather a recalibration. It’s about recognizing that not every axis needs to be over-engineered, not every machine needs bespoke integration, and not every component needs to be tied to a single ecosystem. The world of automation is advancing rapidly, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the best way to meet the challenges of tomorrow is to jam every piece of technology possible into your system. However, the smartest progress often comes from simplifying rather than adding. By focusing on openness, resilience, and right-sized design, machine builders can achieve faster development, lower cost, and greater confidence in their systems — even as the world around them becomes more complex.
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Five AI myths debunked Five common myths continue to hold back AI adoption in manufacturing
F
rom job losses and cybersecurity concerns to cost and complexity, misconceptions continue to slow AI adoption in manufacturing. Here are five of the biggest myths—and the reality behind them. AI use continues to expand in the global workplace, but most businesses are still in the experimental or piloting stages, with just a small percentage actually deriving value from it1. In industrial settings, mindset is proving a barrier to greater adoption. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found that trust in AI is lowest in developed economies like the UK, Germany and the US2. This represents a real challenge because trust is fundamental to achieving the
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support – from boardroom to factory floor – that is needed to integrate AI in a meaningful way. Mistrust of new technology is something the automation sector is used to dealing with. For years, industrial robots faced resistance from human workers who perceived them as a threat to their livelihoods. However, over time it has been proven that these fears are unfounded. In 2022, the Institute of Labor Economics studied the effect of robots on the labour market in 16 European countries and concluded that robot adoption actually increased employment and reduced unemployment in most markets3. Just as fears about robots have been allayed, the key to building trust in AI is similarly rooted in education,
information and transparency. Here, we debunk some of the most common myths surrounding AI and automation… Myth #1: AI will take my job Picture a world without Word or Excel – it’s unimaginable. Think of AI in a similar vein, as a tool that helps people to do their jobs more efficiently by automating repetitive and mundane tasks, generating insights and intelligence that can inform decision making, accelerating lengthy testing and design processes, and making predictions that can eliminate risks. Faced with an ageing workforce and chronic labour shortages, the manufacturing sector can also harness AI to supplement and bolster
scarce expertise. Difficult-to-fill roles that involve repetitive, manual and routine tasks will be replaced by more skilled jobs that require critical thinking and analysis; AI-augmented technicians, analysts who interpret data to optimise production schedules, and AI-model builders, for example. It is worth remembering that AI is rarely a standalone solution. In fact, companies only really unlock its value when they enable employees with real-world domain experience to interact with AI at strategic points. The synergy between AI solutions, human judgement and workplace expertise is what creates hybrid intelligence superpowers and real value capture. In robotics, for example, AI is expanding the opportunities for collaborative applications. By embedding AI, perception and real-time reasoning – components of physical AI – robots can interpret voice commands, respond to dynamic environments and work safely alongside human operators. Myth #2: AI puts our company’s data at risk As with any data-based technology, there is a requirement to protect AI models, the data they process, and the broader systems they integrate with against cyber threats,
data interception and operational disruption. Yes – information inputted into free AI models can become public training data, leading to corporate secrets or personal data being exposed. However, these are not the AI systems that are going to add value in industrial settings. Keeping it local and using internal GPU (Graphics Processing Units) and servers to run AI models offers maximum data privacy, ensuring that no sensitive data is used for external training or leaked to third-party cloud providers. On-device AI is also a high security option, as the data is processed on user devices rather than in the cloud. Where companies are using established cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform for their AI applications, they can be sure their data is safe too, as both offer robust security. However, using a lesser known supplier, without thorough research, could be a risky move. Security does become a potential issue when data is being shared with a third party such as a machine supplier, for diagnostics, troubleshooting and servicing. There are best practices that can be adopted for secure sharing, such as processing data through automated checkers to remove sensitive information. Ultimately though, it
is a case of working with trusted suppliers, and of controlling what data goes into the AI system in the first place. Going forwards, AI systems are only going to become more secure as legislation catches up with technological advancement. In 2027, the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) comes into force, imposing mandatory cybersecurity requirements on all software and hardware. AI products will have to be secure by design, with no known exploitable vulnerabilities, undergo risk assessments and offer lifecycle support, including security updates. The new FANUC R50iA controller – based on the latest CNC hardware, FS500 – is already fully CRA compliant. Over the next two years, all our robots will feature this new controller as standard, while our oIder controllers already provide a very high level of security. FANUC customers can rest assured that they will be ahead of the cyber resilience curve, with their machines futureproofed thanks to smart, safe and compliant equipment. Myth #3: AI is moving so fast! Any system will become obsolete very quickly The pace of development in AI is rapid, but there are certain measures
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that companies can take to avoid obsolescence. Open ecosystems and standardised, open-source platforms are a crucial aspect of futureproofing, particularly with the shift from generative to agentic AI. MCP (an open-source protocol that allows AI assistants to interact with external data sources and software tools) is one standard interface of such systems. OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is another secure, open-source and platformindependent IEC62541 standard for industrial communication. At FANUC, we are actively collaborating with AI-trailblazer NVIDIA to bring physical AI into mainstream manufacturing. A key step in this journey is our support for the open-source robotics platform ROS 2, which enables programming via Python. By lowering the barrier to entry, this allows developers, researchers and companies to build AI-driven robotics applications on FANUC’s proven industrial hardware. Myth #4: AI is just a gimmick – it won’t really improve our factory automation AI can add value to production lines in more ways than we can 36 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
currently imagine. Already, predictive maintenance is using sensor data to forecast equipment failures before they happen, vision systems are detecting defects in non-uniform products and diagnostics are dramatically reducing downtime. AI is transforming industrial automation too, making robots smarter, safer and faster to deploy, through voice-controlled operation, adaptive motion control, safetyaware human-robot collaboration, and virtual commissioning via digital twins. One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to accelerate deployment. By assisting with code generation, AI makes it easier and quicker for companies to implement robotic systems. AI-enabled robots also allow existing production lines to be retrofitted without extensive modifications, further speeding up the rollout of automation. Myth #5: We’re not AI-ready – it’s going to cost us a fortune! To utilise AI in manufacturing, a company does not need to be fully digitised, but it does need a solid data foundation, as ultimately, AI without data is pointless. AI requires
data to be structured, contextualised and available in real-time to drive applications like predictive maintenance, quality control and line optimisation. While not every machine needs to be ‘smart’, critical equipment requires sensors to monitor performance and feed data to digital twins. With regard to cost, one of the benefits of AI is that it is quantifiable – companies should be able to understand what their return on investment is going to be from the start and gauge at a very early stage whether a project is going to work or not. That said, the more deeply companies commit to AI, the more they will likely get out of it. McKinsey reported that organisations with the most ambitious AI agendas are seeing the greatest benefit4. These firms are often aiming to achieve more than just cost reductions; their objectives extend to driving growth and/or innovation through AI, which is where its real potential lies. To discuss how AI and automation can take your manufacturing business to the next level, visit FANUC at www.fanuc.eu/uk/en.
s
TRANSFORM THE EVERYDAY
With the next generation Cerberus Nova fire detectors • Disturbance free testing • Smoke entry and Cover supervision 24/7 • ASAplus technology - no false alarms • Backwards compatible and field updateable That’s what we call fire safe for life. Email: bpsales.gb@siemens.com
INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
Ten benefits of robotic dispensing Robotic dispensing is no longer reserved for high-volume manufacturers
F
rom faster throughput and improved consistency to rapid ROI, automation is becoming an increasingly practical investment for businesses of all sizes. The UK lags behind the rest of the world on automation. According to the International Federation of
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Robotics’ (IFR) 2025 World Robotics report, Britain ranked 19th worldwide in robotic installations. In sectors where adhesive dispensing is a routine part of assembly, that gap represents a real competitive disadvantage. Here, Matt Baseley, Head of Sales at adhesives and dispensing systems supplier
Intertronics, examines ten reasons for investing in automation. 1. Getting started is straightforward with the right supplier Installation, programming, and commissioning are legitimate considerations for first-time buyers. The answer is to choose a supplier
like Intertronics that is an expert in adhesives first — one that can integrate the two disciplines and provide training to instil confidence in the operating team. 2. The return on investment can come quickly ROI on dispensing robots can be achieved in as little as six months, and almost always within two years. Crucially, the time to value is immediate: from the moment a system is installed and running, the manufacturer benefits from improved throughput, reduced waste, and more consistent output. 3. Robots can be acquired at sensible costs Entry-level dispensing robots
start at around £6,000. A complete installation — including enclosures and ancillary equipment — typically comes in between £10,000 and £20,000. For a system that might run day in and day out across a production line, that is a modest outlay: less than the managing director’s new car! 4. Performance can be proven before you commit A good automated dispensing supplier will support trials before any purchase decision is made. Intertronics operates a Technology Centre in Oxfordshire where customers can visit and run their own processes on equipment they’re considering. This kind of evidencebased approach to the investment
decision removes the guesswork entirely. 5. Robots are highly flexible assets Modern dispensing systems are designed to be reprogrammed and redeployed. A system specified for one adhesive application today can be retooled for a different process tomorrow — sometimes with nothing more than a tooling change and a new programme. 6. Robots deliver value even when used selectively Most users do not run their dispensing robots around the clock, and they do not need to. A robot deployed for a single shift, or brought into use for specific batch runs, still delivers the speed and consistency
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 39
advantages that manual dispensing cannot match. 7. Robots improve health and safety Safety enclosures are standard on dispensing robot installations. A 2026 IFR research paper shows that automation typically delivers a net improvement in workplace health and safety: fatality and injury rates across 18 EU countries fell by 4.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively between 2011-2019. 8. Robots improve job satisfaction The 2025 paper ‘Human factors in digital manufacturing technology adoption: a workforce perspective’ found that workers in manufacturing companies where digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) have already been implemented reported increased skills, autonomy, and number of interesting tasks, as well as decreased fatigue levels, 40 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
physical workload, and stress. 9. Robots create jobs 2025 research by Fang et al., published in Asia and the Global Economy, shows that increased industrial robot installation is associated with a reduction in unemployment. Competitive manufacturers grow, and growing manufacturers hire. Dispensing robots move people away from repetitive, chemical-adjacent tasks and into work that is more skilled, varied, and fulfilling, improving morale, staff retention, and often company performance. 10. Why wait? Henry Ford put the underlying logic plainly: “If you need a machine and don’t buy it, then you will ultimately find that you have paid for it, but don’t have it.” For manufacturers still running
adhesive dispensing by hand, the case for automation is not about novelty or scale — it is about repeatability, waste reduction, and building a production process that holds up as volumes grow and products change. Not every dispensing application justifies automation. However, for manufacturers facing increasing quality, throughput, or labour challenges, it is worth examining whether a dispensing robot could deliver measurable benefits. To find out more about how automated dispensing could increase your manufacturing throughput and improve your process repeatability, check out the following case study on the Intertronics website.
SUPPLY CHAIN
Rethinking component distribution
T
Why manufacturers are moving beyond traditional supply chains to build more resilient, flexible sourcing strategies
he electronic components supply landscape is changing. Given current lead times and supply chain issues, manufacturers of electronic devices can no longer assume that a single authorised
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channel will deliver the components they need on schedule or is the most cost-effective route. Here, Chris Withers, sales director at Zel Components, an alternative electronic component distributor, explains why the old model of relying on a handful
of established authorised channels has its limits. For decades, manufacturers have been able to purchase electronic components through a set of authorised channels or direct relationships with a limited number
of suppliers. That model worked when lead times were predictable and production could be planned months or years in advance. However, things have changed. Backlogs, regional trade tensions and variable production capacity mean waiting on a single channel can now cause delays or even costly redesigns. Just look at lead time reports from late 2025, showing lingering instability across various categories of electronic components, even as markets recover from earlier shortages. Couple this with industry analysis, and the limitations of traditional distribution channels are obvious. In its report Electronics Supply Chain Outlook 2026: Momentum and Risk, electropages notes: “Global electronics supply chains remain highly interconnected and sensitive to external pressures. Manufacturing
spans multiple regions, relies on tightly coordinated logistics and is increasingly shaped by political and economic decisions outside traditional market forces. “Industry analysis points to improving supply and demand alignment across several electronics and semiconductor segments. At the same time, exposure to trade disputes and regional instability continues to introduce volatility. For OEMs and distributors, short-term indicators may appear positive, but long-term strategies still require flexibility.” Industry examples The pressures on traditional distribution models are playing out across multiple sectors that rely on electronic components, and one of the most striking examples is in memory chips. Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron
have warned that shortages may persist into 2027 as capacity is prioritised for high‑bandwidth AI and enterprise needs rather than mainstream products. Contract dynamic random access memory (DRAM) pricing has also been reported to rise by as much as 30 to 60 per cent quarter‑on‑quarter in some segments. Meanwhile, lead times for memory used in PCs and automotive applications are now exceeding 39‑52 weeks for certain parts. Even industries outside traditional computing must contend with component stresses. Industrial automation and IoT equipment makers still require reliable supplies of microcontrollers and mixed‑signal ICs, and tooling or materials for advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) are also under pressure as AI demand pulls capacity upstream.
SMART AUTOMATION | Autumn 2026 | 43
Alternative distribution routes Today, new tools and technologies are making multi-source distribution networks easier to use and more reliable, giving manufacturers real-time insight into lead times, stress points and alternative options so they can plan with confidence. Verified networks also give traceability and quality assurance. Partners are selected based on standards such as ISO 9001, IPC-A-610, IATF 16949 and AS9100, ensuring components meet critical specifications for regulated or performance-sensitive sectors. 44 | Autumn 2026 | SMART AUTOMATION
For example, Zel Components work with a vetted network of global suppliers to support varied markets with drop-in replacements and alternative solutions. By holding local inventory in the UK, customers can access certified components quickly while maintaining regulatory and quality alignment. Put simply, alternative distribution routes connect manufacturers to a broader ecosystem of verified suppliers. This gives engineers the visibility and assurance needed to design with confidence, reduce risk and respond quickly to fluctuating
lead times and price increases. The electronics supply landscape is therefore evolving. With traditional channels under pressure, certified distribution networks offer a more resilient, cost-optimised way for manufacturers to access electronic components, offering the flexibility, transparency and assurance the old model lacks today. For more information on pin-for-pin alternatives and ways to reduce distribution risk across current designs, visit Zel Components.
SMART CITIES: IS YOUR CITY KEEPING UP?
PRODUCT LISTINGS
Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings
ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience. Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion. The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/
The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products and System Solution products. Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com
Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners
Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space. In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries. Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/
Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com
Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/
eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com
40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon
A Fortune 100 company, Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety, security, productivity and global urbanization. Our connected portfolio of products, services and software spans multiple industries and is able to deliver end-to-end solutions that improve quality of life for people around the globe. www.honeywell.com
Paxton10 delivers out of the box access control, IP video management and building automation. It interfaces with existing building infrastructure to control lighting, heating, air conditioning, intruder and fire alarms. The system comprises a web-based user interface for easy building management and a selection of discreet hardware. www.paxton10.com
NorthQ is a Danish IoT manufacturer which specializes in developing home automation and energy management solutions. Company’s products serve as an innovative tool to track, control and optimize energy consumption. Our vision, A New Way of Living, entails responsibility for the environment and conscious decision-making regarding the energy we use on a daily basis. Our newest product, the Q-Reader is a universal meter reader providing real-time data from various electricity, gas, heat, and water meters. www.northq.com
EcoStruxure™ With Innovation At Every Level, we are redefining power and automation for a new world of energy. We operate in over 100 countries with around 144,000 employees worldwide. www.schneider-electric.com
Building technology with its integrated disciplines such as building automation, fire safety, security, lighting, and lowvoltage power distribution is often indispensable and forms the heart of a Total Building Solution from Siemens. www.buildingtechnologies. siemens.com
Trend is one of the world’s leading Building Energy Management Systems manufacturers, with a worldwide distribution and support network covering over 50 countries. Its fully integrated control solutions are able to meet the most complex requirements of modern buildings. www.trendcontrols.com
Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Homes. The Viva Smart Home Platform is a turn-key white label platform that uses artificial intelligence to learn family behaviour and automatically programme smart home services. Service Providers can launch plugand-play products and services, like home security, heating, lighting and home protection, which improve family life for everyday living rather than being a throwaway gadget. www.meetviva.com
PRODUCT LISTINGS
With subsidiaries and representative offices in 11 countries, FERMAX is placed among the most important brands in the world. At Fermax, we have been cultivating our passion for design, technology and innovation for the past 65 years. www.fermax.com
Desigo – the state-of-the-art building automation system One system for all requirements of an intelligent building
siemens.com/desigo