Lucy Barnard, Author at Automation News

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Robotics companies are demonstrating new AI-enabled automation systems, highlighting how machine learning and no-code software are reshaping industrial inspection, security, and manufacturing workflows.

Robotics companies are demonstrating new AI-enabled automation systems, highlighting how machine learning and no-code software are reshaping industrial inspection, security, and manufacturing workflows.

Robotics

Singapore robotics firms showcase AI surveillance and no-code automation to tackle labour shortages

May 18, 2026

Industry reaction to Wednesday’s King’s Speech has been broadly positive across automation, AI, cyber security, and technology sectors, with leaders highlighting a stronger focus on digital infrastructure, cyber resilience, and industrial capability as supportive of long-term automation-led growth.

Industry reaction to Wednesday’s King’s Speech has been broadly positive across automation, AI, cyber security, and technology sectors, with leaders highlighting a stronger focus on digital infrastructure, cyber resilience, and industrial capability as supportive of long-term automation-led growth.

News & Insights

King’s Speech 2026: AI, Cyber Security and Infrastructure Bills signal boost for UK automation sector

May 14, 2026

Canadian industrial positioning company ZeroKey is betting that millimetre-level real-time location tracking and AI-driven workflow analysis will become essential infrastructure for modern manufacturing plants, as manufacturers push to reduce costly assembly errors and improve factory efficiency.

Canadian industrial positioning company ZeroKey is betting that millimetre-level real-time location tracking and AI-driven workflow analysis will become essential infrastructure for modern manufacturing plants, as manufacturers push to reduce costly assembly errors and improve factory efficiency.

ZeroKey targets smart manufacturing growth with millimetre-accurate real-time location system

May 13, 2026

The UK government has announced legislation that will enable the full nationalisation of British Steel, marking a turning point in policy

The UK government has announced legislation that will enable the full nationalisation of British Steel, marking a turning point in policy

News & Insights

Starmer moves to nationalise British Steel, linking state ownership with automation and industrial renewal strategy

May 11, 2026

A new AI-based robotics training method could significantly improve how industrial robots are prepared for real-world tasks.

A new AI-based robotics training method could significantly improve how industrial robots are prepared for real-world tasks.

Robotics

AI breakthrough improves sim-to-real transfer for industrial robots in cutting and assembly tasks

May 10, 2026

Robots on the line

Robots on the line

Robotics

Robots on the line

May 1, 2026

Inside the Factory: Phoenix Contact’s DC-powered vision in Blomberg

Inside the Factory: Phoenix Contact’s DC-powered vision in Blomberg

Factory Automation

Inside the Factory: Phoenix Contact’s DC-powered vision in Blomberg

April 30, 2026

Japan Airlines is preparing to deploy humanoid robots on the tarmac at Haneda Airport, in a trial that underscores the aviation sector’s growing reliance on automation to offset labour shortages.

Japan Airlines is preparing to deploy humanoid robots on the tarmac at Haneda Airport, in a trial that underscores the aviation sector’s growing reliance on automation to offset labour shortages.

Robotics

Japan Airlines trials humanoid robots to ease airport labour crunch

April 28, 2026

Tilbury Douglas has become the first tier one UK contractor to deploy a humanoid robot on a live construction site, in a trial aimed at improving productivity, site monitoring and safety reporting, as the construction sector continues to grapple with deep structural labour and efficiency challenges.

Tilbury Douglas has become the first tier one UK contractor to deploy a humanoid robot on a live construction site, in a trial aimed at improving productivity, site monitoring and safety reporting, as the construction sector continues to grapple with deep structural labour and efficiency challenges.

Robotics

Humanoid robot deployed on UK building site as construction sector adopts automation technology to tackle labour shortages

April 28, 2026

For more than a decade, industrial companies have invested in predictive maintenance, using data to anticipate when equipment might fail. The next step, now being tested on the exhibition floor at Hannover Messe, is more ambitious: systems that not only forecast faults, but tell engineers what to do about them.

For more than a decade, industrial companies have invested in predictive maintenance, using data to anticipate when equipment might fail. The next step, now being tested on the exhibition floor at Hannover Messe, is more ambitious: systems that not only forecast faults, but tell engineers what to do about them.

Hannover Messe: ABB pushes industrial AI towards “prescriptive” maintenance

April 28, 2026

German components and systems manufacturer Schaeffler has entered a strategic partnership with European robotics company Hexagon Robotics to co-develop key actuator components for humanoid robots and deploy them across industrial production systems.

German components and systems manufacturer Schaeffler has entered a strategic partnership with European robotics company Hexagon Robotics to co-develop key actuator components for humanoid robots and deploy them across industrial production systems.

Robotics

Hannover Messe: Schaeffler and Hexagon Robotics strike humanoid partnership to scale factory automation

April 22, 2026

European manufacturers are beginning to see tangible gains from artificial intelligence on the factory floor, as executives argue that a new generation of industrial AI is moving rapidly from pilot projects into real-world deployment.

European manufacturers are beginning to see tangible gains from artificial intelligence on the factory floor, as executives argue that a new generation of industrial AI is moving rapidly from pilot projects into real-world deployment.

Events

Hannover Messe: “AI has reached the shop floor” says Siemens chief

April 22, 2026

Engineering firm Rolls-Royce SMR said this week it is to begin detailed design work on the UK’s first three small modular nuclear reactors after signing a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), formally moving the programme into its delivery phase.

Engineering firm Rolls-Royce SMR said this week it is to begin detailed design work on the UK’s first three small modular nuclear reactors after signing a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), formally moving the programme into its delivery phase.

Energy & Utilities

UK nuclear SMRs explained: 4 ways factory-built reactors will drive automation growth

April 15, 2026

Events

Automation News to be distributed at Hannover Messe 2026

April 14, 2026

OpenAI has paused its involvement in the planned Stargate UK infrastructure programme, citing unfavourable conditions for large-scale AI investment in the United Kingdom, including rising energy costs.

OpenAI has paused its involvement in the planned Stargate UK infrastructure programme, citing unfavourable conditions for large-scale AI investment in the United Kingdom, including rising energy costs.

News & Insights

OpenAI pulls back from UK AI infrastructure push amid energy price pressures

April 13, 2026

BMW has offered a sneak preview of the advanced automation systems inside its radically revamped Munich plant, ahead of a major transformation milestone as production of its Neue Klasse models ramps up from 2026.

BMW has offered a sneak preview of the advanced automation systems inside its radically revamped Munich plant, ahead of a major transformation milestone as production of its Neue Klasse models ramps up from 2026.

Automotive

Inside BMW’s high-tech Munich plant: automation in action

April 6, 2026

Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to explore a three‑way partnership to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for heavy‑duty vehicles, in a move that underscores growing industry collaboration to decarbonise transport.

Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to explore a three‑way partnership to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for heavy‑duty vehicles, in a move that underscores growing industry collaboration to decarbonise transport.

Automotive

Daimler, Volvo, Toyota join forces to automate the hydrogen truck revolution

April 6, 2026

Can robots finally handle transparent objects? the answer is a cautious “yes, if they see differently” As automation expands across manufacturing, logistics, and food service, one stubborn problem has continued to limit robotic deployment: handling transparent and reflective objects. From glassware and plastic packaging to polished metal components, these materials routinely confuse conventional vision systems, forcing costly human intervention.

Can robots finally handle transparent objects? the answer is a cautious “yes, if they see differently” As automation expands across manufacturing, logistics, and food service, one stubborn problem has continued to limit robotic deployment: handling transparent and reflective objects. From glassware and plastic packaging to polished metal components, these materials routinely confuse conventional vision systems, forcing costly human intervention.

Robotics

Can robots grasp the invisible? RGB cameras and clever perception might be the key

April 5, 2026

When Artemis II successfully launched on 1 April, it marked humanity’s first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972.

When Artemis II successfully launched on 1 April, it marked humanity’s first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972.

News & Insights

Artemis II: how advanced automation systems keep humans safe on the first Moon mission in 50 years

April 4, 2026

Automation News will host a free live webinar examining whether humanoid robots are ready for real-world deployment, as industries assess the practical challenges of integrating next-generation robotics into manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service environments.

Automation News will host a free live webinar examining whether humanoid robots are ready for real-world deployment, as industries assess the practical challenges of integrating next-generation robotics into manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service environments.

Events

Automation News to host free webinar on humanoid robots and real-world deployment

March 26, 2026