The path to the smart factory is not a sure-fire success. Start-ups are driving the use of artificial intelligence in mechanical and plant engineering in this field with speed and unconventional approaches and are bringing market-ready applications to the market. Their innovative strength strengthens international competitiveness and at the same time gives mechanical and plant engineering a head start in global competition.

The aim of the prestigious Startup Award, which has been presented by VDMA Startup-Machine and the trade magazine "Produktion" at the top event in the mechanical and plant engineering sector since 2019, is to recognize this innovative strength. Each year, the award is dedicated to a different focus topic that addresses key future issues in mechanical engineering. In 2025, the focus was on "AI in Robotics and Automation". The prize was to be awarded to a young company that uses AI technologies to provide practical impetus for robotics and automation and thus makes an important contribution to the future viability of the industry.

From the applications submitted, a jury of experts nominated three finalists for the pitch final on September 16, 2025 at the Mechanical Engineering Summit in Berlin. In front of around 600 decision-makers, RESONIKS from The Hague finally prevailed over its two competitors in the live voting. The startup impressed with its acoustic AI inspection, which analyzes metallic workpieces and detects even the finest structural defects - a solution that, according to the laudation, hits the nerve of the industry. This is because early defect detection is crucial in mechanical engineering in order to ensure production quality, reduce rejects and cut costs. The technology from RESONIKS makes the invisible audible, increases process reliability and helps companies to make their production more efficient.

"Artificial intelligence unfolds its potential in mechanical and plant engineering wherever it solves specific challenges and integrates seamlessly into existing processes. Reliable partners and practical solutions are essential for companies to make the leap from proof of concept to industrial practice. This is precisely where this year's award winner RESONIKS comes in," emphasizes Alexander Jakschik, CEO of ULT AG and VDMA Vice President.

RESONIKS faced strong competition from two other finalists. Augmented Industries presented an industrial AI platform for training, instructions and knowledge management. CERPRO presented an AI assistant that automatically creates test reports and speeds up quality assurance.

Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA and member of the jury, emphasized the role of start-ups for the use of artificial intelligence in mechanical engineering: "If you want to scale successfully, you need interoperability and access to the market. In the VDMA, we focus on open, interoperable interfaces between digital worlds and between people - solution spaces in cooperation. The VDMA Startup Machine demonstrated early on that Germany is a global center of gravity for AI applications in production and mechanical engineering. It was therefore clear to us that we would focus this year's Startup Award on the topic of artificial intelligence in robotics and automation. The award makes visible how young companies apply technical excellence and thus create solutions that are directly applicable for SMEs."

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