"Automatica addresses the future topics of human-robot collaboration, digital transformation in manufacturing and service robotics. The strong results show: The history of automation and robotics is being written here in Munich," says a delighted Falk Senger, Managing Director of Messe München, about the final figures for Automatica 2018. From June 19 to 22, the trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics for networked production attracted over 46,000 visitors to Munich. This corresponds to an increase of 7 percent. Senger was particularly pleased about the high proportion of foreign visitors: "20 percent more visitors came from abroad. This shows that Automatica is becoming increasingly important on a global level."

Human-robot collaboration the dominant theme
The dominant theme of the trade fair was already visible at the east entrance to Messe München: collaborative robots from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and ABB, among others, greeted visitors to the trade fair. The special thing about the two robots: Their manufacturers developed a common user interface. The aim is to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in Asia through the standardized user interface.

The collaborative robots and the associated peripherals could be found in almost every hall: from the sensor to the gripper to the robot itself. Universal Robots, for example, had its cobots equipped with screens playing with a virtual ball in Hall 4, while OnRobot presented the latest gripper solutions for collaborative robots right next to it.

Humans in Industry 4.0
With the special show "Humans in the Smart Factory", the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association made the world of work 4.0 tangible: Digital assistance systems as supporters in manual assembly, augmented reality, gesture control, exoskeletons and wearables that simplify the interaction between man and machine. Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association, explains: "Workplaces are becoming more attractive and ergonomic. The respective strengths of man and machine are complementary! This opens up a great opportunity for better workplace design. This topic characterizes Automatica like hardly any other trade fair."

Visitors to the trade fair were able to try out an exoskeleton like this at the Comau stand. It could be put on like a rucksack and then relieved the shoulder muscles by up to 50 percent. Developed in collaboration with Fiat workers, it is particularly useful for overhead assembly.

Trade fair concept works
The visitor and exhibitor survey also shows that the trade fair concept was a success. 96 percent of exhibitors and 98 percent of visitors rated Automatia as excellent, very good or good. The aim is to repeat this success in two years' time. Automatica 2020 will then open its doors again in Munich from June 16 to 19.