AMB 2026, one of the leading international exhibitions for the metalworking industry, will place automation and collaborative manufacturing at the centre of its upcoming edition, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence, robotics and human-machine collaboration in modern production. Scheduled to be held from September 15 to 19, 2026, in Stuttgart, the event will showcase the latest technologies that are reshaping machining operations and industrial productivity.
Automation has emerged as one of the event’s key focus areas as manufacturers increasingly seek solutions to improve operational efficiency, address skilled labour shortages and enhance production flexibility. According to Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association, demographic changes and evolving manufacturing requirements are accelerating the adoption of automation despite a cautious investment environment.
Mr Schwarzkopf noted that advances in artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI and physical AI, are making industrial automation more accessible and intelligent. Emerging technologies such as AI-powered autonomous systems and simplified programming tools are enabling manufacturers to deploy automation faster while reducing technical complexity.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of these developments. Modern no-code programming platforms now allow factory personnel to configure robotic operations through intuitive graphical interfaces without requiring specialised coding expertise. Robot movements can be demonstrated manually and stored digitally, making automation economically viable even for low-volume, high-mix production environments.
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are also gaining wider acceptance across manufacturing facilities. Unlike conventional industrial robots that operate behind safety barriers, cobots are designed to work alongside human operators, improving productivity while maintaining workplace safety. Rapid advances in sensors, machine vision and AI are enabling closer interaction between workers and robotic systems, while emerging humanoid robotics is opening new possibilities for industrial applications.
Automation and handling technologies will be prominently featured in Hall 6, the Oskar Lapp Hall, where leading robotics and automation companies will demonstrate integrated production solutions for machining industries. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore technologies including robotic machine tending, automated handling systems, mobile robotics, Industry 4.0 applications and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions designed to optimise manufacturing processes.
Industry data indicates that robotic machine tending continues to witness strong global growth, with installations increasing steadily over the past decade. Collaborative robots now account for a growing share of industrial robot deployments, while mobile robotic platforms are enabling greater flexibility by connecting machines and production cells across factory floors.
Supported by the VDMA Precision Tools Association, the VDMA Software and Digitalisation Association and the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW), AMB 2026 will bring together machine tool manufacturers, automation providers, technology developers, researchers and industrial users. The exhibition aims to provide manufacturers with practical insights into the latest automation technologies and demonstrate how collaborative manufacturing is shaping the future of precision engineering and metalworking.
