AI and Automation Take Center Stage at EMO Hannover 2025
EMO Hannover 2025 emphasizes the convergence of automation, sustainability, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI). While AI attracts attention, EMO General Commissioner Carl Martin Welcker stresses that practical automation solutions remain the top priority for most visitors. From simple plate changers to fully autonomous production lines, exhibitors are delivering solutions that directly enhance efficiency and product quality.
Practical AI Applications for Industry
Prof. Christian Brecher from RWTH Aachen’s WZL highlights the transformative potential of AI in production. While generative AI and chatbots like ChatGPT gain public attention, industrial applications focus on agent systems capable of autonomous decision-making, production optimization, and task execution. Brecher emphasizes that strong AI research is laying the foundation for future industrial breakthroughs.
Building Germany’s AI Infrastructure
Germany’s high-tech agenda and investments in AI gigafactories, such as those in Jülich, are accelerating the adoption of AI and robotics in manufacturing. Brecher calls on industry players to take calculated risks, expand AI expertise, and actively participate in data-driven ecosystems. He also emphasizes the monetization potential of production data, urging companies to embrace open data networks and AI-driven innovation.
AI Hub@EMO 2025: Hands-On Learning
The AI Hub, located in Hall 6, Stand A22, serves as a central platform for visitors to explore AI in manufacturing. Interactive demonstrators, real-world applications, and the AI-supported chatbot Emil help trade visitors, developers, and decision-makers gain practical insights into AI integration. The hub fosters hands-on understanding of AI capabilities, from process optimization to autonomous production support.
Emil: AI Chatbot for Intelligent Guidance
Chatbot Emil, powered by a Large Language Model (LLM), assists visitors in navigating the AI Hub and finding AI solutions relevant to metalworking. Emil answers questions about exhibitors, shows stands on the hall map, and provides guidance in both German and English. This AI interaction demonstrates how smart assistants can streamline information access in industrial trade fairs.
Supporting SMEs with AI Adoption
The ProKI research network, a collaboration of eight German universities, supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting AI technologies. Demonstrators at EMO illustrate how AI solutions can be scaled for smaller operations, bridging the gap between research breakthroughs and practical, real-world production benefits.
