Editor's Note: Brenda Courim, Head of Sales at Güdel, provided the first two predictions. Mike Peek, Marketing Manager at Güdel, provided the third prediction.
What robotic technology/technologies do you expect will make the most impact in 2026?
In 2026, the most impactful industrial robotics technologies will be those that expand robot reach, stiffness, and flexibility without adding complexity. Large-workspace linear motion systems, gantries, and modular RTUs will increasingly be used to turn standard robots into multi-process, scalable platforms. Combined with improved calibration and software-driven control, these systems will allow manufacturers to automate larger, heavier, and more variable processes while preserving precision and uptime.
What is your boldest robotics prediction for 2026?
By 2026, flexibility will matter more than peak speed in industrial robotics, and linear motion will move from a secondary component to the structural backbone of many automation systems. Manufacturers will increasingly design robotic cells around gantries, tracks, and RTUs first - using them to cover larger work envelopes, consolidate processes, and enable reconfiguration - rather than optimizing for maximum cycle time in fixed cells. Systems that can be extended, repurposed, and adapted over time will outperform faster but rigid installations in long-term value and adoption.
What industry/industries do you expect will invest more in robotics and automation in 2026 and why?
The strongest investment in 2026 will come from high-mix, capital-intensive industries facing labor shortages and product variability. Automotive, Defense, and their Tier suppliers, heavy manufacturing, and industrial logistics will lead adoption as they move toward flexible, system-level automation strategies focused on uptime, adaptability, and long-term efficiency rather than single-purpose robotic cells.
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