Hannover Fair, the massive industrial technology trade show, opened its doors in Germany today. Actually a collection of ten different shows that run concurrently though the end of the week, this year’s fair features more than 5,000 exhibitors and nearly 170,000 square meters of exhibit space. Factory automation technologies usually take center stage at the fair, and this year is no exception. Yet there are a few new twists. Among them is a brand new exhibit dedicated to Mobile Robots & Autonomous Systems. It’s just a tiny slice of the robotic technologies scattered around the fair, but the new exhibit does reflect an expected upswing in transport and service robots. This year’s fair also spotlights energy efficiency and global climate change. Hundreds if not thousands of displays throughout the fair focus on ways to make the most efficient use of conventional and renewable energy. This year’s partner country, Japan, has also changed the technological face of the show. More than 150 exhibitors from Japan turned up at the show, bringing along robotics and other automation technologies. Check back over the next four days for more news and video from the show.
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