As demand surges across global supply chains, the pressure on 3PLs, manufacturers and e-commerce fulfillment centers has never been greater. Labor shortages, rising injury rates and the physical intensity of warehouse and factory jobs all continue to challenge operations.
New York Emerges as a Global Robotics Hub as 160 Startups Take Root Across the Tri-State Area positioning the region alongside the world’s top robotics capitals.
For the agile distributor or regional manufacturer, the "Integration Trap"—the months-long process of forcing robotic systems to communicate with legacy Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)—is an unnecessary barrier.
From humanoids and Robots-as-a-Service to nearshoring and lights-out operations, here are my top predictions for what is coming next in 2026.
Each motor requires high power density and precise control, all packed into a small form factor. TI’s technology reduces the size of the board by integrating FETs, drivers and current sensing into one package.
The convergence of AI breakthroughs and robotics is creating a moment for which the field has been waiting decades.
For aerospace, the next leap will come from integrating physical automation with AI systems capable of coordinating the flow of information across complex, multi-vendor, secure environments that protect confidential information all while transforming efficiency..
Continuous Improvement is often misunderstood as an engine for solving more problems. In reality, the defining capability of a mature operation is ensuring the same problems never return.
Once a robot can move between floors without any changes to existing building infrastructure, operators get immediate ROI by freeing staff from repetitive delivery work while improving speed and convenience for residents and guests.
The Stefa Mini, Cassette and Nano Seals all have smaller cross sections than comparable seals in the market today. This matters because a smaller seal allows for smaller glands (the area the seal slips into on the equipment) and smaller glands mean overall smaller equipment.
A strong digital foundation brings everything together, allowing automation initiatives to scale, adapt and perform as intended. Without it, automation efforts often stall before they reach their full potential.
Physical AI describes intelligent systems that can sense, interpret, and act in real environments. Think of self-driving cars navigating busy streets, robotic arms assembling machinery with precision, or smart grids adapting in real time to energy demands.
Equipped with advanced mapping, multi-sensor vision and zone-based safety, the system navigates real-job sites with confidence—handling up to 6,000 sq ft/hour and supporting pressure-wash rigs up to 12 GPM and 4,500 PSI.
The ifm Obstacle Detection System (ODS) optimizes the robot's overall performance by treating obstacle detection as a holistic system rather than just a camera. It provides reliable obstacle detection to protect people, equipment, and mobile robots.