With registration opening for 'Automatica 2027,' a global smart automation and robotics exhibition, companies targeting the European automation market are stepping up their preparations. Encompassing industrial robots, machine vision, assembly and handling, service robotics, and software, this event is regarded as a business platform for seeking supply chain collaborations and order opportunities, going beyond simple product displays.

The organizer, Messe Munich, has been accepting online applications for Automatica 2027 since February 2026. The exhibition will be held from June 22 to 25, 2027, at the Messe Munich in Germany. With participating companies beginning their preparations in earnest about a year in advance, competition among the robotics and automation industry aiming to secure a foothold in the European market is heating up early.

A key feature of Automatica is that the entire manufacturing automation value chain can be viewed in one place. From industrial robots to assembly automation, machine vision, service robots, software, and the cloud, the technological trends across the entire manufacturing site can be observed within a single event. The 2025 event attracted nearly 50,000 visitors from over 90 countries, with 800 companies from 40 countries participating, demonstrating the current demand for the European automation industry.

This trend aligns with structural changes in European manufacturing. As the demand for automation and robots expands, Munich, the host city, is emerging as a hub connecting research, industry, and exhibitions. The Technical University of Munich and the robotics startup Neura Robotics recently announced plans to build a large-scale AI robot training center near Munich Airport, expanding the foundation for industry-academia collaboration and data accumulation for the development of humanoid and AI-based robot systems. In essence, the city hosting the exhibition is becoming a site for the demonstration and research of the robotics industry.

The main agenda of Automatica 2027 aligns with these industrial changes. AI and digitalization, sustainable production, and the future of labor have been presented as key pillars. The exhibition is expected to focus on how robotics and automation technologies can be used to address the labor shortages, transition to autonomous production, supply chain resilience, and climate change challenges facing the manufacturing industry. Concurrent forums and related events are also planned to address the social acceptance of technology adoption and the potential for inter-industry convergence.

This event holds significant meaning for Korean companies as well. At the 2025 event, major domestic companies such as HD Hyundai Robotics, Doosan Robotics, and Hanwha Robotics participated alongside small giants like Robotis, Aidin Robotics, RS Automation, and SPG, expanding their presence in the European market. Given the growth of the European automation market and the demand for AI transformation in the German manufacturing sector, Automatica 2027 is expected to serve as a platform for Korean robot and automation companies to verify their technologies, discover partners, and assess the potential for entering the local market.