Top 3 robotic trends for 2026
CONTROL & AUTOMATION COLLABORATIVE ROBOTICS
FANUC
Top 3 robotic trends for 2026
By Oliver Selby, Head of Sales, FANUC UK
The industrial automation landscape is rapidly evolving. Across manufacturing, a growing number of sectors are investing in robotics to boost efficiency, ensure consistent product quality, address labour shortages and enhance health and safety. As robot manufacturers such as FANUC work to make automation accessible to businesses of all sizes – from small-scale food producers to tier-one automotive suppliers – advanced technologies like AI are playing an increasingly important role. Against this backdrop, we highlight three key robotic trends for 2026 that are set to take industrial automation to the next level … deployment. By assisting with code generation, AI makes it easier and quicker for companies to implement robotic systems. Non-specialists can use natural language to programme robots to perform tasks, reducing the engineering burden on manufacturers and delivering a faster return on investment. AI-enabled robots will also allow existing production lines to be retrofitted without extensive modifications, further speeding up the rollout of automation.
AI also expands opportunities for collaborative applications. With AI-driven voice control, robots can interpret spoken instructions and autonomously generate the code needed to execute tasks. This will enable robots to work more flexibly alongside human operators, adapting in real time to changing requirements.
In addition, AI will enhance robot safety and enable closer humanrobot collaboration. For example, integrated vision systems allow robots to detect obstacles in their environment. AI can then instantly recalculate motion paths in threedimensional space, ensuring safe and efficient operation around people and equipment.
2. Smart and scalable automation
Automation is becoming increasingly adaptable. Smart, scalable robotic solutions that can evolve alongside changing business needs are enabling manufacturers to de-risk automation investments without compromising on quality or reliability.
Smaller, more agile automated systems are also helping manufacturers address labour challenges, particularly for low-skill or repetitive tasks such as picking, placing and palletising. At the same time, suppliers are prioritising ease of deployment through simplified teaching methods, AI-enabled voice control and intelligent technologies such as vision and force sensing. As a result, the path to automation is now faster and more accessible than ever before.
1. AI-driven robotics Artificial intelligence is making robots smarter, safer and faster to deploy. Through voice-controlled operation, adaptive motion control, safety-aware humanrobot collaboration, and virtual commissioning via digital twins, AI is transforming industrial automation.
One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to accelerate
Across manufacturing, a growing number of sectors are investing in robotics to boost efficiency, ensure consistent product quality, address labour shortages and enhance health and safety.
50 PECM Issue 79