Automation know-how in 23 instalments

Would you like to listen to the world’s leading robotics experts or experience hands-on presentations of current robot models? Discuss the outlook of future industrial production or converse with AI specialists? Whatever visitors may be looking for—above and beyond the world's most comprehensive overview of automation technology components and systems: automatica, which will be held in Munich from June 21 to 24, has a supporting program that will live up to their expectations.

The trend is clear: The supporting program is becoming increasingly important to visitors of a world-leading trade fair. That is unsurprising considering the tempting opportunity to marvel at the latest technology in the exhibition halls on the one hand, and to identify trends and future technologies presented in the accompanying program on the other hand.

In order to meet these expectations, the organizers of automatica have once again put together a top-class supporting program that covers all hot topics of automation and robotics. The result is a whopping 23 events across a wide range of formats—from presentations and special shows to panel discussions, conferences, and keynotes—covering a diverse scope of topics. Anyone wishing to get informed comprehensively with a specific focus will have to plan precisely. The following is an excerpt from the newly added program items:

Now live and with a state reception: the munich_i Hightech Summit

The munich_i Hightech Summit is the highlight of the program and will be held on June 22, 2022. After the pandemic required an online-only premiere of the event, visitors may now look forward to exciting live presentations by robotics and AI visionaries. The event has a focus on robotics and artificial intelligence: Under the theme of ‘intelligence empowering tomorrow’, four sessions with four experts each will shed light on the central aspects of interaction between human and artificial intelligence, and responsible technological change. The topics range from warehouse automation and deep learning approaches to automated AI-supported driving and ‘soft robotics’. Minister President Dr. Markus Söder will open the Hightech Summit within the framework of a state reception at the Munich Residenz Palace on the previous evening.

IIOT Conference: linking two worlds

Those interested in sophisticated topics such as Digital Twins, Deep Dive into MQTT 5, Edge Computing & Industrial IoT Platform and the like should not miss the IIOT Conference on June 23 in the Conference Center Nord. This format considers itself a bridge between automation and software development as it combines classic automatica topics with IT-related presentations.

AI.Society and i_space forum

At the munich_i special show AI.Society in Hall B4.319, things are much more hands-on and physical: Here, visitors can experience prototypes up close and see exciting lighthouse projects from the four pivotal fields of work, healthcare, mobility, and environment that will shape the future. The i_space forum, which is a part of AI.Society, looks beyond technical feasibility aspects of robotics and automation. This is where leading experts discuss future social developments. Highlights of the forum include the Ethics Round Table hosted by Prof. Alena Buyx.

Automation for beginners: the Test Zone

This interactive offer in the demo park is aimed at newcomers to automation technology. They can experience robotics and automation applications live and hands-on in a Test Zone in Hall B4.141. This is a great opportunity to experience technology first-hand.

Young talent—at the Robothon®

Young talent will demonstrate their capabilities at the Robothon®, a collaborative development challenge held online to turn new solution approaches for challenging automation problems such as recycling of electronic waste into software and hardware with impressive speed. The Robothon® premiere with its innovative basic concept of web dashboards as digital judge has convinced many: 32 leading research institutes, universities, and industrial partners have joined forces based on this concept to create a European challenge network called ‘eu.ROBIN’, which is funded by the European Commission.

Vision Expert Huddles

The interactive Vision Expert Huddles presentation concept will celebrate its premiere in the Machine Vision Pavilion, Hall B5.111. Short keynotes on the latest technologies and trends in machine vision invite trade fair visitors to engage with experts on site.

Proven: roundtables and forums

So much for the new events and formats. The events that traditionally attract many automatica visitors—such as the automatica Forum in Hall A5.131 with its mix of keynotes, panel discussions, and exhibitor contributions—are equally numerous and sophisticated. Top-level speakers have already been engaged here as well.

Start-ups and Odense Investor Summit

The Start-up Arena in Hall B4.131, where around 50 international young companies from the fields of robotics, automation, digitization, and AI present themselves, has also proven its worth. This is where innovators, industry, and investors traditionally come together with the aim of facilitating breakthroughs of groundbreaking ideas. This is always an exciting and lucrative affair. The Odense Investor Summit on June 21, 2022 is aimed at investors who want to step up their activities in the market and are looking for the right partner to do so. The program of around 2.5 hours is part of the Start-up Arena and offers insights into investment opportunities pitched by 15 pre-selected start-ups.

Interoperability at your fingertips

“The Interoperability Showcase” special show in Hall B5.318 created by the VDMA presents standards for manufacturer-independent communication between automation devices: OPC UA, digital twins, asset administration shell and UMATI dashboards—all these concepts will become tangible at the demonstrators.

Smart Maintenance

The new edition of the Smart Maintenance Pavilion in Hall B6.524 demonstrates the significance of smart and predictive maintenance in automated production processes—and the potential applications of robots and autonomous systems in this field. Exhibits include a large drone for maintenance and inspection work in plant areas that are difficult to access.

The world’s leading robotics conference

Leading associations and federations of industrial automation traditionally use the trade fair to host their own events, thus expanding the range of information available at automatica. Highlights include the International Symposium on Robotics, the world's leading robotics conference under the auspices of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), and the presentation of three 2022 Joseph F. Engelberger Awards that are considered the most prestigious industry awards worldwide. This is yet another example of how closely the experts at the world's leading trade fair are connected: One of this year's award winners, Melonee Wise of Zebra Technologies, will also speak at the munich_i Hightech Summit.

In conclusion: The supporting program is on a world-class level and will provide all visitors – from ‘beginners’ to industry experts and visionaries—with exciting perspectives and insights.