Insys icom, manufacturer of intelligent and powerful industrial routers and remote maintenance solutions, has appointed René Al-Abid as Head of Product. In his new role, he will drive forward the systematic anchoring of security, compliance and governance requirements across the entire product portfolio.

Europe's electronics distribution grew by almost 10% in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, according to industry association DMASS, the recovery remains unevenly distributed and geopolitical risks are weighing on the outlook for 2026.

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Congatec's portfolio includes Computer-on-Modules (COMs) with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. The new high-performance modules accelerate next-generation AI applications with up to 180 TOPS of energy-efficient embedded compute performance, making discrete accelerator cards superfluous in most applications, according to the provider.

Advantech has announced the 'AIR-410' and 'AIR-420', next-generation compact Edge AI high performance computers (HPCs). Combining AMD Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 series processors, scalable GPU support and Advantech's 'Edge AI SDK' software, the systems are specifically designed to meet the demands of data-intensive AI workloads at the edge.

Omron's 'FHV7-AI' detection camera joins the company's family of industrial FH vision vision systems. The new model combines AI-powered inspection capabilities with a simplified user interface and a compact all-in-one design.

Trend Micro warns in a new study of the increasing professionalization of AI-supported cybercrime. Deepfakes, fraud and malware are gaining in importance.

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Siemens has announced the acquisition of Canopus AI. The company is a provider of computational and AI-powered metrology solutions that enable semiconductor manufacturers to achieve new levels of precision and efficiency in wafer and mask inspection processes.

IBM launches a global tender for AI solutions in education and labor market integration. Non-profit organizations and universities can apply until the end of March 2026.

SMC Germany has appointed Robert Angel as the new Managing Director at its headquarters in Egelsbach. He succeeds Daniel Langmeier, who will continue to lead SMC Switzerland and will also drive forward strategic tasks.

The first AI chip in the EU to use modern 7-nanometer technology has been created at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Prof. Hussam Amrouch developed the neuromorphic chip based on the standard of chip manufacturer TSMC. In future, the Professor of AI Processor Design and his research group plan to create at least three new designs every year, which will be manufactured by the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) in Dresden from 2028.

Dassault Systèmes and Nvidia have entered into a long-term strategic partnership to build a common industrial architecture for mission-critical Artificial Intelligence across industries.

Artificial intelligence works fast, but its hunger for energy is growing rapidly. A German-Taiwanese research team from Fraunhofer IPMS, Fraunhofer IMWS and the Taiwanese research institute TSRI is now developing a solution: new memories for the leading chip technologies smaller than 3 nm. These innovative nanosheet components enable computing operations directly in the memory and thus drastically reduce energy consumption.

Robotics company Robco announces a financing round of 100 million US dollars. The company intends to use this to accelerate its roadmap for physical AI and expand its presence in the USA.

Global industry is embarking on a new investment cycle in which automation plays a central role. SPS - Smart Production Solutions reflects this development. We are actively accompanying this change. In this English-language edition, we look back at the highlights of SPS and look at how the trade fair's international strategy supports technology transfer and market development worldwide.

Dr. Olaf Munkelt, co-founder and Managing Director of MVTec Software, is the new Chairman of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association. He succeeds Dr. Dietmar Ley, former CEO of Basler, who stepped down from the board for statutory reasons.

55,938 visitors and 1,175 exhibitors once again made SPS 2025 a key industry gathering. The proportion of international companies increased, and presentations on Industrial AI were particularly popular.

The Indian government has completely withdrawn the planned 'Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024'. The law would have created a new legal framework for machinery safety in India.

The new "Cyber Security Report 2026" from Check Point shows a significant increase in cyberattacks on German organizations by 2025. The education sector is particularly affected and is well above the national average.

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The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will require all manufacturers of products with digital elements to implement comprehensive security measures from December 2027. After a thorough review of its technologies, Profibus & Profinet International (PI) has come to the conclusion that Profinet already provides the basis for CRA compliance.

Whether enormous computing power, ultra-precise sensors or cutting-edge encryption: quantum technologies promise ground-breaking applications. An international ranking by the think tank European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) puts Karlsruhe, with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) as the central player, at the top of the list nationwide. The city is ranked seventh worldwide and second within the EU.