Industrial Thinking from Automata

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, October was an event-filled month at Automata. Hot on the heels of PPMA (the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association’s event), we attended Robotics & Automation in Coventry. What started as a relatively small event in Milton Keynes has now expanded to a bigger venue and includes both hardware and software companies, from warehouse management through to industrial automation solutions like robot arms. 

What really struck us was the difference between attendees at R&A and previous trade shows we had attended, including Hannover Messe; here, manufacturers we spoke with understood how automation could be a solution to their problem. For the team, it was an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of challenges and listen to a series of very interesting talks, from SME manufacturers in niche markets through to bigger players like John Lewis. 

We’re well into peak event season here at Automata HQ. Already this month the team has been out representing at PPMA (the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association’s annual event), the FT’s Future of Manufacturing Summit and the Engineering Design Show.

Despite each of the industry events we attend being quite different in nature, one of the most important factors in us deciding to invest in an event is whether or not it’s going to provide us with an opportunity to learn. We work in an industry that’s evolving faster than ever before and there’s always more to learn from our customers, partners and the wider ecosystem. As relative newcomers in the world of industrial automation and if we’re going to succeed in our mission to democratise robotics we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. 

So what are the big themes and trends that have been coming up in conversation whilst out on the road so far this month?