Industrial Automation News Roundup: February 7, 2026

Executive Summary

Today’s industrial automation landscape showcases transformative advancements across robotics, servo systems, sensor technology, industrial IoT, and cybersecurity. Key developments include ABB’s AI-powered laboratory automation demonstrations at SLAS 2026, next-generation safety-critical servo drives from Delta and Festo, emerging Physical AI trends from CES 2026, China’s strategic industrial internet-AI fusion policy, and critical cybersecurity predictions for manufacturers in 2026. These innovations collectively signal an accelerated shift toward intelligent, connected, and secure industrial operations.

1. ABB Unveils AI-Driven Laboratory Automation at SLAS 2026

Date: February 4, 2026
Source: Robotics 24/7, ABB Robotics
Technical Focus: Autonomous Versatile Robotics (AVR™), Collaborative Robots, Interoperable Automation

ABB Robotics has announced a comprehensive showcase of AI-powered laboratory automation technologies at the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 2026 International Conference & Exhibition in Boston (February 7-11). The demonstrations highlight how artificial intelligence is transforming laboratory workflows through autonomous, versatile robotic systems.

Key Technical Parameters and Applications:

1. Multi-Step Analytical Workflow System (Partner: Mettler Toledo)
– Integration: LabX management software orchestration
– Processes: Liquid and solid sample preparation, precision weighing, titration, oven cycling, UV‑Vis analysis
– Robotic Platform: ABB GoFa 5kg payload collaborative robots
– Function: Autonomous pipetting, decanting, vial capping/uncapping operations
– Performance Impact: Improved process consistency, increased lab operator walkaway time by approximately 40%

2. Comprehensive Gas Chromatography Sample-Prep Flow
– Automated Tasks: Solid dispensing, volumetric flask handling, filtration into 2 mL vials, GC loading
– Reset Cycle: Demonstrates reliable end-to-end robotics for complex mixed “dry” and “wet” tasks
– Software Integration: ABB OptiFact platform for facility data collection, management, and analysis

3. Robotic Transfer System (Partner: Agilent)
– Components: SBS/SLAS plates and consumables transfer between plate hotel, Agilent Bravo deck, and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system
– Integration: Bravo liquid handler in pick-and-place mode with validated motion path replication
– Accuracy: Ensures repeatable, high-throughput handling complementing existing instrument operations

Market Implications:

Laboratories worldwide are transitioning from isolated automation pilots to fully connected, AI-ready operations. The interoperability demonstrated by ABB enables customers to combine robotic technologies with specialized instruments and software from multiple vendors, building flexible, scalable, and tailored automation systems. This shift is expected to reduce experiment lead times by 30-50% while improving data reproducibility by up to 70% across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemical research sectors.

2. Next-Generation Safety-Critical Servo Drives from Delta and Festo

Date: January 20-29, 2026
Sources: Manufacturing Update, Automation Magazine
Technical Standards: IEC 61508 (SIL 3), ISO 13849 (PL e), Category 3/4

Two leading automation providers have introduced advanced servo drives designed for high-performance applications requiring enhanced functional safety capabilities.

Delta ASDA-A3-EP Servo Drive

Key Features:
– Safety Compliance: IEC 61508 (SIL 3), ISO 13849 (PL e)
– Built-in Functions: Safe Torque Off (STO)
– Optional Safety Card: Thirteen advanced safety functions including SS1, SS2, and SOS
– Communication: EtherCAT interface with extended sub-protocols FoE, EoE, and FSoE
– Connectivity: TCP/IP port and support for IoT nodes
– Motor Compatibility: Third-party motor integration capability

Technical Specifications:
– Power Range: 300W to 12kW (modular configurations)
– Communication Cycle: ≤1ms with microsecond-level synchronization accuracy
– Safety Response Time: <10ms for critical safety functions
– Total Cost of Ownership: Reduced by 25-35% through advanced connectors and streamlined wiring

Festo CMMT-AS-MP-S3 Servo Drive

Key Features:
– Integrated Architecture: Combines motion control and extended functional safety in single device
– Safety Levels: Performance Level e (PL e), SIL 3, Categories 3 and 4
– Protocol Support: EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP
– Commissioning: Festo Automation Suite (FAS) for graphical safety setup and validation

Application Domains:
– Assembly and handling systems
– Packaging machinery
– Electronics manufacturing equipment
– Hybrid machines combining electric motion and pneumatic functions

Industry Impact:

The convergence of high-performance motion control and advanced safety functions addresses critical requirements in automotive, semiconductor, and medical device manufacturing. These drives enable machine builders to achieve both productivity targets and regulatory compliance without compromising on system complexity or cost.

3. CES 2026 Sensor Trends: Physical AI and Edge Intelligence

Date: February 5, 2026
Source: IDTechEx via ITEdgeNews
Market Forecast: Global sensor market to exceed $250 billion by 2036

CES 2026 has revealed three fundamental shifts in industrial sensor technology, emphasizing the transition from cloud-centric AI to edge-deployed Physical AI solutions.

Trend 1: Shift from Agentic AI to Physical AI

• Definition: Movement of AI intelligence from remote data centers directly to factory floor controllers
• Implementation: Lightweight machine learning models running on PLCs and edge devices
• Latency Improvement: Reduces response times from hundreds of milliseconds to <10ms
• Cost Factor: Commercial viability achieved through widespread AI deployment and cost optimization

Trend 2: Renewed Industrial Automation Focus

• Market Realism: Despite excitement, deployment timelines remain 2-5 years for full-scale adoption
• Legacy Integration: Digital twins deployed without requiring new sensor hardware on existing installations
• Growth Drivers: Reduced labor costs (20-30% projected savings), energy efficiency (15-25% improvement), and operational continuity

Trend 3: Extended Reality (XR) Component Miniaturization

• SWaP-C Optimization: Size, weight, power, and cost reduction driving sensor innovation
• Multi-functional Sensors: Integrated sensing solutions combining multiple modalities (visual, thermal, acoustic)
• Limiting Factors: Optics, batteries, and communication hardware remain primary bottlenecks

Technical Advancements:

• Edge AI Deployment: Local processing reduces bandwidth dependency by 60-80%
• Data Optimization: Intelligent encoding compresses video storage requirements by 40-70% while maintaining critical detail
• Predictive Capabilities: Real-time vibration analysis enables equipment failure prediction weeks in advance

4. China’s Industrial Internet and AI Fusion Empowerment Action Plan

Date: January 9, 2026
Source: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, People’s Republic of China
Implementation Timeline: 2026-2028

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released the “Industrial Internet and Artificial Intelligence Fusion Empowerment Action Plan,” outlining a comprehensive strategy to accelerate the integration of AI technologies with industrial internet infrastructure.

Strategic Objectives (2028 Targets):

1. Infrastructure Upgrades:
2. Deployment of high-throughput, low-latency industrial networks meeting AI application requirements
3. Network transformation for ≥50,000 enterprises across key industries (raw materials, equipment manufacturing, consumer goods, electronics)
4. Data and Model Ecosystems:
5. Establishment of national industrial data directory and trusted circulation framework
6. Development of high-quality industry-specific datasets across 20 priority sectors
7. Creation of “model pools” on industrial internet platforms for reusable AI components
8. Application Mode Innovation:
9. Promotion of platform-based design, intelligent production, personalized customization, networked collaboration, and service-oriented extension
10. Enhancement of R&D, manufacturing, and maintenance processes through AI integration
11. Industrial Ecosystem Development:
12. Cultivation of intelligent system integration solution providers
13. Incubation of industry-level intelligent solution suppliers by leading enterprises

Technical Implementation Framework:

• Network Architecture: Control-network-computing integration for deterministic communication
• Platform Capabilities: Resource connection, intelligent analysis, and configuration optimization
• Data Governance: Multi-source heterogeneous data interconnection and sharing mechanisms
• Security Compliance: Data classification, grading, and secure management protocols

Market Impact:

China currently operates over 300 influential industrial internet platforms with equipment connections exceeding 100 million units. The fusion plan is expected to accelerate digital transformation across manufacturing sectors, potentially increasing industrial productivity by 15-25% while reducing operational costs by 10-20% through AI-driven optimization.

5. 2026 Cybersecurity Threat Predictions for Industrial Manufacturers

Date: January 15, 2026
Source: Industrial Equipment News (IEN)
Risk Assessment: High probability of AI-orchestrated attacks targeting operational technology

Cybersecurity experts have identified four critical risks that will define the threat landscape for industrial manufacturers in 2026, emphasizing the convergence of AI capabilities, OT exposure, and security underinvestment.

Risk 1: First Fully AI-Orchestrated Cyberattack End-to-End

• Attack Chain: Reconnaissance → Initial access → Lateral movement → Exploitation → Extortion
• Speed: Machine-speed execution enabling attacks across multiple organizations simultaneously
• Vulnerability: Legacy PLCs, sensors, and control systems never designed for cybersecurity

Risk 2: Small and Midsize Manufacturers as Preferred Targets

• Economic Shift: Automated reconnaissance and credential harvesting reduce attacker costs
• Target Profile: Organizations lacking enterprise-grade detection, 24/7 monitoring, and specialized security personnel
• Financial Impact: Wire fraud incidents increased by over 200% in 2025, with losses exceeding prior years combined

Risk 3: Rising Nation-State Activity and Regulatory Response

• Critical Infrastructure Focus: Manufacturing facilities serving food, pharmaceuticals, defense, and transportation sectors
• Regulatory Pressure: Expected mandates for OT security requirements, incident reporting, and cross-sector resilience standards
• Compliance Timeline: Federal regulations likely to be introduced within 12-18 months

Risk 4: Insufficient Cybersecurity Leadership Elevation

• Organizational Gap: Security leaders positioned too low in corporate hierarchy
• Incentive Misalignment: CIO priorities focused on IT uptime rather than risk reduction
• Solution Trend: Managed security services and virtual CISO models gaining traction

Mitigation Strategies:

1. AI-Enabled Defense: Integrate AI-powered detection, investigation, and response systems
2. OT Security Integration: Treat OT cyber risk with same rigor as safety and quality protocols
3. Executive Engagement: Ensure cybersecurity strategy expertise has direct CEO and board access

Industry Outlook:

Manufacturing facilities that proactively address these risks can reduce incident response times by 60-80% and minimize potential financial losses by 70-90% compared to reactive organizations.

Future Outlook and Market Implications

Short-Term (2026-2027):

• Technology Convergence: Accelerated integration of AI, edge computing, and industrial automation
• Regulatory Framework: Rapid evolution of safety and cybersecurity standards for connected industrial systems
• Market Growth: Industrial automation sector expected to expand at 8-12% CAGR through 2027

Medium-Term (2028-2030):

• Autonomous Operations: Widespread adoption of AI-driven predictive maintenance and optimization
• Supply Chain Transformation: Intelligent logistics and manufacturing networks reducing lead times by 30-50%
• Sustainability Impact: Energy consumption reduction of 20-30% through smart grid and process optimization

Long-Term (2031-2036):

• Cognitive Manufacturing: Self-learning, self-optimizing production systems with minimal human intervention
• Global Market: Industrial sensor market projected to exceed $250 billion with Asia-Pacific maintaining 35-40% share
• Employment Shift: 20-30% reduction in routine operational roles offset by 15-25% increase in AI and robotics specialists

Investment Recommendations:

1. Priority Sectors: Industrial AI software, safety-critical automation components, edge computing infrastructure
2. Geographic Focus: Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea), Europe (Germany, France, Italy), North America (USA, Canada)
3. Technology Themes: Physical AI, digital twins, predictive maintenance, secure industrial communications

References

1. ABB Robotics. (2026, February 4). SLAS 2026: ABB turns AI into action to accelerate the future of lab automation. Robotics 24/7.
2. Delta Electronics. (2026, January 20). Delta Expands ASDA-A3 Series with New EP Servo Drive for Safety-Critical Motion Control. Manufacturing Update.
3. Festo. (2026, January 29). Servo Drive with Integrated Extended Functional Safety. Automation Magazine.
4. IDTechEx. (2026, February 5). Three key trends in the sensor market from CES 2026. ITEdgeNews.
5. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, PRC. (2026, January 9). Industrial Internet and Artificial Intelligence Fusion Empowerment Action Plan. Chinese Government Policy Document.
6. Industrial Equipment News. (2026, January 15). 2026’s Cyberthreat Breakthroughs: Four Predictions for Manufacturers.
7. World Economic Forum. (2026, January 15). Global Lighthouse Network Recognizes 23 New Sites, Launches AI Platform for Industrial Transformation.
8. Schneider Electric. (2026, February 5). Modernizing for Profitability: What a PLC upgrade can do for you. Industry Blog.
9. Qualcomm Technologies. (2026, January 8). CES 2026: Qualcomm expands IE-IoT portfolio. Computer Weekly.
10. Fortinet. (2025, November 30). Cyberthreat Predictions for 2026: Industrialized Cybercrime and the Acceleration of the Attack Life Cycle. Threat Report.