The central trend at the world's most important industrial trade fair this year is the introduction of artificial intelligence into the factory - as well as the benefits this brings for employees and production. Examples include machine learning and intelligent robots, which are becoming a universally applicable tool for employees. "For people, technology is assistance, not competition," says Köckler. "This year, more assistance systems will be on show at the trade fair than ever before." These include exoskeletons that enable the wearer to pick up and set down heavy components.

Under the theme "Integrated Industry - Connect & Collaborate", more than 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries will be presenting their technologies for the factories and energy systems of the future. Sixty percent of the exhibitors come from abroad. The top exhibiting nations are Germany, China, Mexico, Italy, the Netherlands and France.

Even more networked, even smarter: as production undergoes dynamic change, the requirements for intelligent and networked logistics are also increasing. How robots, drones and voice assistants are changing logistics processes is the focus of the more than 650 exhibitors at the intralogistics trade fair CeMAT, which is being held jointly with HANNOVER MESSE this year.

Networking is also the keyword in the energy and supply sectors at HANNOVER MESSE. Suppliers will be focusing on topics such as innovative lightweight construction and smart materials. In the energy halls, solutions for a power grid that meets the requirements of e-mobility and thus creates the basis for the mobility transition will be on display. Köckler: "In the field of energy, HANNOVER MESSE will also show how industrial companies can save enormous costs through efficient energy use and make an important contribution to climate protection."

"With solutions from the leading manufacturers of automation and energy technology and logistics, the most important robotics companies and global IT and software groups, Hannover is the global hotspot for the digital transformation of industry," says Köckler.