The robotics industry can look to the future with confidence, thanks to ongoing industrialisation in the emerging markets and the enormous potential for growth in key areas of industry, such as electronics and food production. Industry experts predict that annual worldwide robotics sales will grow by about two per cent this year to around 162,000 units, followed by an average of six per cent each year from 2014 to 2016. Additional growth potential will come from new technological developments, which will pave the way for completely new robotics applications in areas such as human-machine cooperation.

"These are all topics that will be explored at the Industrial Automation show at Hannover Messe 2014," said Marc Siemering, Deutsche Messe's Senior Vice-President responsible for Hannover Messe. "The value of the Industrial Automation show lies primarily in its strongly international visitor composition and in its forums and special events on robotics and system integration. This is reflected in the pleasing level of exhibitor registrations received so far, with names like St?ubli, G?del and Sampas already confirmed. These companies exhibit at Hannover Messe because it is the only event of its kind where they can meet production managers from all the relevant international markets."

The Robotics, Automation & Vision Application Park and its associated lecture forum at the upcoming Industrial Automation show will feature an expanded format. Located in Hall 17, the popular showcase for robot manufacturers, system vendors and image processing specialists will include a new motion control section that will enable robotics motion control specialists to showcase their solutions to a highly targeted robotics industry audience.

The Application Park will also present the latest solutions in the exciting and fast-growing area of human-machine cooperation, including a range of collaborative robot solutions equipped with camera and image processing systems. Together with the Mobile Robots & Autonomous Systems special display (also in Hall 17), the Robotics, Automation & Vision Application Park at Industrial Automation 2014 will showcase all technologies and disciplines that feed into robotics and system integration and explore their role as enablers of industrial automation.

Next year, Deutsche Messe, the Industrieanzeiger trade journal and the Robotation Academy will be offering the Robotics Award for the fourth time. Companies wishing to participate are invited to submit products, projects and technological advancements that make an innovative contribution to robotics-based solutions in the area of industrial automation, mobile robots and/or autonomous systems. Applications close on 12 February 2014. The winners will be presented with their awards by the Lower Saxony Minister of Economics, Olaf Lies, at a special ceremony in the Robotics, Automation & Vision Forum on 8 April 2014.