AutomationsBest Award 2026: Here Are the Winners
The results are in: The winners of the 2026 AutomationsBest Award have been announced
From high-performance servo drives to industrial communication and AI-powered software to humanoid robotics: The award-winning solutions of the 2026 AutomationsBest Award demonstrate just how broad the spectrum of current developments in automation is.
A total of six products and solutions have made it to the winners’ list in the two categories, Best Product and Best Solution. Which of them will ultimately take first, second, or third place will be announced at the awards ceremony on the first day of the SPS – Smart Production Solutions trade show in Nuremberg. We’re giving you a sneak peek at the six winners.
Winner in the Best Product category
AMKmotion: Liquid-Cooled DIP Synchronous Servomotor
The DIP liquid-cooled synchronous servomotor from AMKmotion combines high power density with high dynamics and efficiency in a compact design. According to the manufacturer, compared to standard market solutions, it achieves up to 30 percent greater acceleration and up to 32 percent higher maximum torque with comparable inertia and size.
Efficiency reaches up to 97 percent. An optimized magnetic circuit enables up to 20 percent more torque at the same current. Improved current vector control and the magnetic design are intended to further increase power density.
Neugart: High-Density Joint Actuator for Humanoid Robots
Neugart and Synapticon have jointly developed a high-density joint actuator for humanoid robots. The solution integrates a precision gearbox, motor, power electronics, encoder, and safety functions into a compact unit.
The actuator achieves a power density of up to 200 Nm/kg. The modular platform is designed for different joint sizes and is already being used in pilot projects for knee, shoulder, and wrist joints.
Hilscher: Netrapid 90IC for Industrial Communication
With the Netrapid 90IC, Hilscher offers a pluggable embedded module for industrial communication in compact field devices. Using a unified hardware platform, it supports networks such as Profinet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, and CC-Link IE Field Basic, as well as IIoT standards like OPC UA and MQTT, through firmware updates.
Based on the NetX 90, the module also features Secure Boot, CryptoCore, and key and certificate management. This makes the solution ideal for manufacturers looking to prepare their devices for upcoming cybersecurity requirements.
Winner in the Best Solution category
IFM Electronic: Moneo Assistant for the IIoT Platform
The Moneo Assistant expands IFM Electronic’s Moneo IIoT platform with an AI-powered assistance feature. Based on large language model technology, the application consolidates knowledge from various data sources and is designed to make relevant information accessible more quickly.
The Assistant is directly integrated into the Moneo IIoT Core. Users can ask questions in natural language and receive, among other things, explanations of functions as well as support for more complex processes. The goal is to reduce the time spent searching for information and on training, and to simplify access to application knowledge.
Lenze: c530 PLC with MultiCore Technology and Cybersecurity
The Lenze c530 PLC uses a multi-core architecture to process applications in parallel. This is designed to enable even more complex automation tasks to be implemented without additional integration effort.
This computing power is complemented by integrated cybersecurity in accordance with Security Level 1. Lenze cites pick-and-place applications, palletizing systems, and filling lines as potential areas of application.
Igus: IggyRob Home for Education and Research
IggyRob Home is a humanoid robot developed and manufactured in Germany for education and research. The system features 16 degrees of freedom and an integrated 3D camera for object recognition and navigation.
ROS2 and web-based programming are designed to make it easier to get started working with the robot. IggyRob Home is based on the mobile ReBeLMove Pro and is designed as a platform for teaching, AI development, and automation applications.
