211 companies, 20 more than last year, presented products, solutions and expertise at all 'about automation' (aaa). In the fully booked redblue event location, the focus was on industrial automation, robotics and digitalization.
Florian MayrWith2,302 trade visitors, the trade fair recorded an increase in visitor numbers of over 10%. Tanja Waglöhner, Managing Director of the organizer Easyfairs and Exhibition Director of aaa, sees this as a strong signal: "In its fourth year, the Heilbronn all about automation has become a valuable and appreciated event for the strong industrial regions along the Neckar and throughout the southwest. The level of awareness and the number of visitors are increasing from year to year. Over 10% more visitors in the current economically challenging times are a statement of the importance of these regional meeting places."
Presentations: an important part of the trade fair
The talks in the Talk Lounge met with great interest. Contributions on the topic of safe automation were particularly popular, including the new Machinery Directive, the connection between safety and security and IO-Link Safety as an emerging standard. The focus topics included robotics/human-robot collaboration and AI & machine learning.
Florian Mayr, neogramm from Mannheim, provided information on the 'Transition to AI: How hybrid solutions are revolutionizing inspection processes', based on the strengths and weaknesses of classic image processing and human inspection compared to those of machine learning. Using an automotive supplier in the electronics sector as a case study, he explained how AI, conventional image processing and humans work together to create a hybrid solution. The large product diversity and variance due to process and multi-sourcing were a problem for the existing automatic inspection systems (AOI). This was because zero-slip prioritization resulted in a high number of pseudo defects and personnel-intensive manual follow-up checks. In addition, the error documentation was inadequate and process control was poor. Florian Mayr described the step-by-step AI implementation measures and their results. His conclusion: hybrid systems are the future, as classic image processing remains important for deterministic inspections. AI improves the detection of variable defects and learns from experience, and the combination with manual inspections ensures quality and optimizes the entire system in the long term. The future lies in learning, flexible inspection systems that can react to dynamic production conditions - without system interruptions and with continuous improvement through classic image processing, humans and AI.
Heiko RöhrigHeikoRöhrig, EGS Automation GmbH, Donaueschingen, explained how to avoid pitfalls when getting started with robotics. In his guide to a successful start in automation, he emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes that others have already made for you. Because FAIL means First Attempt In Learning! He listed a number of practical examples.
Always something new in the trade fair program
For the first time, a topic block on the automation of packaging machines was offered in cooperation with Packaging Valley Germany e.V. - with great success: "For us, it was an excellent start to our cooperation with all about automation. By exchanging ideas at the trade fair, we are making a valuable contribution to the visibility of innovations and to strengthening the industry. If you want to experience the future of packaging automation live, events like this are the right place for you," says Martin Buchwitz, Managing Director of Packaging Valley Germany.
For the first time in Heilbronn, the new special area 'Future Now! Hub' under the motto 'Sustainability and cost efficiency in automation through AI, digitalization and IIoT'. Exhibitors presented specific use cases in the Hub Gallery and explained them in the Speakers' Corner. The Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-Württemberg, the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Franken, KIM - KI im Mittelstand and Fraunhofer IPA actively supported the format. "all about automation in Heilbronn was a complete success for us. The organization was also really outstanding," said Miriam Koch, Exhibition & Event Manager at the Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-Württemberg.
The German Robotics Association DRV e.V., which has been a very active competence partner of all about automation for many years, was represented in Heilbronn with presentations and joint stands. As an association of robotics experts, the DRV supports small and medium-sized companies in the use of robot technology.
Success factors: regional, compact, competent
The trade fair concept of all about automation impresses with its regionality, compactness and focus on specific projects and solutions. The short distances and clear structure create a pleasant atmosphere for targeted discussions and efficient exchange. Many visitors come not only to gather information, but also with current project questions - and find suitable answers here.
The next all about automation in Heilbronn will take place on May 6 and 7, 2026.
