From the Automate show floor to the packaging line, we’re seeing industrial automation evolve in real time. This week’s stories explore artificial intelligence, robotics, and the technologies shaping what’s next.
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Editors recap Automate 2026 on The Robot Report Podcast
We joined The Robot Report Podcast to discuss key Automate 2026 trends, including physical AI, edge computing, and software orchestration.
The episode explores the technologies shaping industrial automation, featuring show floor insights from:
- Rockwell Automation’s Ara Surenian, business manager, production logistics
- Sereact’s Mason Cole, director of sales, North America
- Kassow Robots’ Kristian Kassow, Founder and CEO
- ABB’s Craig McDonnell, managing director of business line industries
“We are now able to have completely randomized sets of package products coming in, and then we can drive a mixed-case palletizing application into these, where we optimize the weight and the form factor,” said McDonnell.
→ Listen to the podcast
What Automate revealed about industrial automation
AI, robotics, and automation were among the biggest topics at Automate 2026.
Control Engineering editor-in-chief Mark Hoske recaps key conference sessions covering automation justification, AI-enabled robotics, digitalization, and the technologies helping manufacturers move from concept to implementation.
→ Read more
How automation is reshaping the workforce
As packaging operations become more automated, the role of the workforce continues to evolve.
In this contributed piece, Maurizio Massini, sales director of MF Tecno Packaging Systems, explores how automation is changing day-to-day workflows by shifting employees toward supervision, maintenance, and higher-value responsibilities. All while creating new opportunities for training and reskilling.
“Automation in the packaging sector was never designed to empty factories, but to free people from the most strenuous and dangerous tasks,” said Massini. “Our goal as manufacturers is to provide technologies that elevate the quality of work.”
→ Read more
Final takeaway
Physical AI, robotics, and automation technologies generated plenty of discussion on the Automate show floor. We’ll continue following the next phase as those technologies move into packaging applications.
