A key topic for the automation specialists from Beckhoff at HANNOVER MESSE 2026 is the fusion of artificial intelligence and classic machine control as the basis for Physical AI. In Hall 27, Stand G56, the East Westphalia-based company will demonstrate how Large Language Models (LLMs) can directly influence real motion sequences via standardised interfaces. The accompanying exhibit will convey the potential that can be unleashed in this way in a playful manner. A preview of this was already given at the HANNOVER MESSE Press Preview on 25 February.

Paradigm shift in the manufacturing industry

According to Beckhoff, the integration of Physical AI marks a paradigm shift in the manufacturing industry: Direct coupling of AI models with deterministic control technology enables machines to no longer just process static commands, but to respond to complex requirements in a context-sensitive and autonomous manner.

Simple and intuitive

Beckhoff provided a first tangible impression at the HANNOVER MESSE Press Preview with a compact demo cell. It combines the XPlanar planar motor drive system with the TwinCAT CoAgent AI tool and an audio interface for voice commands. Visitors experience a physical AI application in which the floating movers can be controlled via natural language and initiate the next movement sequence on command. This playfully demonstrates how simple and intuitive human-machine collaboration will be in the future: complex automation tasks will then be executable without specific programming knowledge.

A game of chess with the AI application

At HANNOVER MESSE 2026 itself, Beckhoff is scaling this scenario to a fully integrated industrial application. The focus is on the modular ATRO industrial robot, which is programmed and controlled via TwinCAT CoAgent for Operations using voice commands. Based on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the control system acts as an intelligent agent that translates human language into machine commands, orchestrates path planning and performs diagnostic tasks. The physical AI application is illustrated in a playful way by having the exhibit play chess against trade fair visitors.

Enabler for a new era of automation

With tools such as TwinCAT CoAgent and TwinCAT Machine Learning Creator, Beckhoff already offers an ecosystem that serves as an enabler for this new era of automation. The tools support machine builders throughout the entire life cycle – from code generation in engineering to error analysis during operation.

‘From the chat windows directly into the machine’

‘We are bringing AI from the chat windows directly into the machine and enabling language models to access the real world of control systems through new standards such as MCP,’ says Hans Beckhoff, managing owner of Beckhoff, assessing the current development. "Technical inventions have always determined the development of society. Artificial intelligence and physical AI will take on this role with the same significance as the steam engine and electricity once did."

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