President’s Report by Takayuki Ito
automatica 2025 ahead
Jun 18, 2025 — We are in the last throes of preparations for the automatica fair, which takes place in Munich from 24 to 27 June 2025. We have organized IFR meetings, booth, network events and the IFR Executive Roundtable.
Dear Reader,
We are in the last throes of preparations for the automatica fair, which takes place in Munich from 24 to 27 June 2025.
The IFR meeting marathon will already start on the eve and will cover all bodies except the Research Committee:
- (Industrial) Robot Suppliers’ Committee - 23 June, 13:00 hrs
- General Assembly - 23 June, 15:15 hrs
- Service Robot Committee - 24 June, 10:00 hrs
- Executive Board - 24 June, 13:00 hrs
- Associations Committee - 24 June, 15:15 hrs
- Marcom Committee - 25 June, 8:00 hrs
Besides these working meetings, we will host a networking evening reception for the first time, the IFR Executive Night. This by-invitation-only event will gather 70 key executives from the global robotics industry to connect, network and exchange thoughts. The theme of the evening will be "AI and Robotics - revitalizing industry". Two external keynote speakers will provide some food for thought and bring stimulus from the outside, sharing their perspectives on how robotics can revitalize the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry and how AI can impact the robotics sector in the future.
On Wednesday, 25 June at 13:00 hrs, we will present the preliminary IFR statistics, this time with a focus on the European market at the stage of the Automatica Forum. This will be directly followed by the tradition IFR Executive Roundtable, where the five panelists will discuss the “Global Robotics Market: How can Europe step up its game?”.
On stage will be
- Dr. Nikolas Blümlein, AI, Robotics and Process Optimization Expert at Schwarz Digital
- Nicole Clement, Chief Business Unit Officer (CBO) Robotics and Advanced Automation Solutions at COMAU
- Wilfried Eberhard, Vice President Governmental Affairs at KUKA
- Francesco Ferro, CEO at PAL Robotics
- Lucilla Sioli, Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry at the European Commission
Lucilla Sioli will also use her visit to the automatica to gather views and perspectives of selected European robotics companies on the impact of AI on robotics and manufacturing, collect suggestions for policy actions and also learn about the current challenges.
The IFR teams is also happy to welcome you at their booth (B5.220) - feel free to stop by or arrange a meeting ahead of the fair.
Looking forward to meeting you in Munich for a busy week of exciting discussions, networking and technology showcases.
Best regards
Takayuki Ito
