The 2026 IERA Award was presented

Each drone is equipped with built-in autonomous capabilities that allow it to perceive its surroundings in real time, plan its movements, and navigate around obstacles. As they fly through the warehouse aisles, the drones capture barcode data that is directly integrated into the warehouse management systems. Discrepancies are identified and reported. The drones operate autonomously for months at a time, requiring only two to three battery changes per year. In the warehouses, the drones capture around 500,000 images daily. This continuous stream of real-world data is used to train and further refine the technology. Currently, Verity systems are in use in approximately 200 warehouses worldwide.

Automation in Logistics and Retail

In the retail and logistics sectors, accurate inventory tracking is of fundamental importance. In warehouses, inventory is sometimes spread across thousands of different storage locations and is constantly being moved throughout the day. The continuous checks performed by the drones cannot be carried out using manual methods, especially since the industry is characterized by high staff turnover and strict cost constraints. By locating lost goods—such as misplaced, fully loaded pallets—the drone system saves companies significant costs that previously had to be written off.

“With its aerial robotics technology, Verity has succeeded in developing a mature product and bringing it to market, thereby supporting its customers,” said Jim Ostrowski, chair of the IERA Awards Committee. “The jury was impressed by Verity’s extensive patent portfolio, solid business plan, and the company’s pioneering role in bringing innovative technologies to market.”

“It is a great honor to be recognized by the leading organizations in the robotics industry,” said Markus Hehn, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Verity. “We thank the jury for recognizing our team’s achievements and for presenting us with the prestigious 2026 IERA Award.”

Two more finalists

Open Navigation LLC introduced "Nav2," the world's most widely used navigation solution for autonomous mobile robots. It provides the functions a mobile robot needs for autonomous navigation and makes them available as configurable, field-proven, and actively maintained open-source components.

Innok Robotics unveiled the 'Induros' ecosystem, an industrial mobile robot system designed to automate intralogistics in existing industrial facilities. It operates seamlessly on covered indoor and outdoor surfaces as well as on uneven terrain, combining the precision of an autonomous indoor robot with the ruggedness of an agricultural machine.

The IERA Award was established in 2005 and is presented annually by the Industrial Activities Board of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). It recognizes the achievements of innovators who develop value-adding ideas and entrepreneurs who turn those ideas into world-class products.

IFR Global Robotics Award 2027

In 2027, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) will present the IFR Global Robotics Award for the first time. The award recognizes industry-driven robotics innovations that bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application. The award is open to robot manufacturers, system integrators, and suppliers, and honors solutions that address significant societal challenges, drive technological innovation, or demonstrate significant commercial potential.

“The award has a global reach and is not limited to IFR members,” says Takayuki Ito, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “Eligible entries include solutions that are deployed in real-world environments and are commercially available or already in active use. The call for entries will begin in November 2026.”