HANNOVER MESSE: Industry points the way to a competitive future

HANNOVER MESSE 2026 demonstrated that industry is delivering concrete solutions even in challenging times. Artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalization play a key role in making production processes more efficient and boosting competitiveness.

Young Engineer Woman Award goes to Robotics Engineer Norah Kimathi

Robotics engineer Norah Kimathi (Zerobionic Africa) has been honored with the Young Engineer Woman Award 2026 for her groundbreaking work on AI-powered robotic systems for inclusive education. The award ceremony took place on April 24, 2026, as part of the FEMWORX career congress at HANNOVER MESSE.

Engineer Woman Award 2026 goes to Aerospace Engineer Annemarie Lohse

Aerospace engineer Annemarie Lohse (Airbus Defence and Space) has been honored with the Engineer Woman Award 2026 for her outstanding contributions to the development of safety-critical systems for international space missions. The award ceremony took place on 23 April 2026, as part of the FEMWORX career congress at HANNOVER MESSE.

Schaeffler wins the 2026 HERMES AWARD

This year, the prestigious HERMES AWARD goes to Schaeffler. The industrial group receives this coveted innovation prize in recognition of its platform for highly integrated actuators. An independent jury chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society, selected the winner from among three nominated companies.

HERMES Startup AWARD 2026 goes to Swiss startup BTRY

This year, the coveted HERMES Startup Award goes to a young Swiss company. The startup impressed the independent jury, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. -Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society, with the ultra-thin, fully flexible solid-state batteries they have developed. The award was presented by Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, during the official opening of HANNOVER MESSE on April 19, 2026, in the presence of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

HANNOVER MESSE 2026: Industrial AI as competitive game-changer

The focus at HANNOVER MESSE 2026 will be squarely directed toward the tangible benefits of artificial intelligence for companies in the manufacturing sector. More than 3,000 exhibitors will be demonstrating how the targeted deployment of industrial AI, robotics, automation, and digitalization translates directly into measurable competitive advantages. And new, innovative information and networking formats will offer guidance on how companies can integrate AI into their operations step by step.

HANNOVER MESSE Center Stage - Industrial AI and Digital Sovereignty

Industrial AI is helping to unlock unprecedented value for manufacturers, enable autonomous operations, optimize supply chains, and accelerate product innovation. Yet, deploying Industrial AI across the entire value chain remains a persistent challenge for manufacturers, preventing the breakthroughs needed to navigate unprecedented disruption. At HANNOVER MESSE, Amazon Web Services, Bain & Company, and Schwarz Digits will present an overview that highlights the latest developments.

Female Students Explore STEM Careers at FEMWORX

Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Deutsche Messe AG bring upper secondary students to HANNOVER MESSE.

HANNOVER MESSE: From the battery cell to battery recycling

At HANNOVER MESSE, around ten companies will jointly present the "Battery Use Case" showcase. This will bring EV battery cell production to life and demonstrate a fully networked value chain from the battery cell to battery production and recycling. From precise production steps and intelligent automation to final quality control, this live showcase will present how modern technologies are revolutionizing battery production.

HANNOVER MESSE and "Made for Germany" send strong signal

HANNOVER MESSE is positioning the industrial application of artificial intelligence at the center of industrial policy considerations in Germany and Europe. Under the banner "AI in Industry," the trade show brings the worlds of industry, technology, and politics together in a united front – with the shared goal of accelerating AI adoption across manufacturing, infrastructure, and industrial value chains.

7th Lightweighting Summit: Advantage through efficiency

At the 7th Lightweighting Summit, experts from the worlds of business, politics, and research will discuss the potential of efficient lightweight construction solutions. They will provide exciting insights into the future of lightweight construction and pioneering innovations in this key technology. The Lightweighting Summit is organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Nominations for the 2026 Engineer Woman Awards

Outstanding Women in STEM Nominated for the Engineer Woman Awards 2026.

Jury nominates three companies for the HERMES AWARD

An independent jury comprising top-class experts from political and business communities, research, and the media, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society, has nominated three companies selected from the numerous submissions for the HERMES AWARD: Festo, Schaeffler and Ziehl-Abegg (listed in alphabetical order).

ROBOTICS AWARD 2026 goes to GoodBytz

The ROBOTICS AWARD 2026, one of the international robotics community's most coveted awards, was presented to startup company GoodBytz during the HANNOVER MESSE Press Preview on February 25. The award-winning product is an automated kitchen system designed to prepare individualized meals quickly and simultaneously.

AI at HANNOVER MESSE: Out of theory. Into application.

With HANNOVER MESSE 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) in industry becomes tangible. In a practical and application-oriented way, the trade fair demonstrates how manufacturing companies can profitably use AI.

Industrial cyber security: AI is becoming the dominant technology

The demands on cyber security are increasing rapidly in response to the changing geopolitical landscape. Industrial companies in particular are facing increasing pressure.

Robotics innovations in the Application Park at HANNOVER MESSE

The latest trends in robotics can be experienced in the Application Park at HANNOVER MESSE. The focus will be on AI-based perception systems, autonomous mobile manipulators, and humanoid robots. Their advantage over classic industrial robots lies less in their pure performance and more in their adaptability: they are designed to use tools, workstations, and infrastructures developed by people.

Jury nominates three innovative solutions for the ROBOTICS AWARD 2026

A high-caliber panel of robotics experts has announced the nominees for the coveted ROBOTICS AWARD 2026. The award honors companies driving groundbreaking advances in industrial development with their innovative robot assisted solutions in the fields of automation and logistics. Three companies particularly impressed the jury and made it onto the shortlist. The winner will be announced on 25 February 2026 during the HANNOVER MESSE Press Preview.

Center Stage at HANNOVER MESSE features an impressive line-up

Around 80 speakers from all over the world will occupy the limelight on the Center Stage at HANNOVER MESSE. Among them, there will be pioneers, company leaders, scientists, and politicians who have boldly and successfully broken new ground with their innovative spirit, thus contributing to the further development of industrial production.

President Lula da Silva and “The Industry of Today”

Brazil is Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE 2026. With a population of 216 million, extensive raw material reserves and a growing industry, Brazil is Latin America's largest economy and one of the world's leading economic nations. Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will officially open HANNOVER MESSE on 19 April with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Spain is Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE 2027

From 5 to 8 April 2027, Spain takes center stage as Partner Country at HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s leading trade fair for manufacturing.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva to open HANNOVER MESSE 2026

The official opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE 2026 will see Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, inaugurate the event together with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. As next year's Partner Country, Brazil presents an extremely compelling profile: it is Latin America's biggest economy, endowed with vast natural resources and a robust, diversified industrial landscape. This positions the country as a global economic heavyweight and an attractive partner.

Deutsche Messe invites entries for the HERMES AWARD

Deutsche Messe AG is once again presenting the internationally renowned HERMES AWARD - one of the industry's most prestigious innovation prizes. The award ceremony will take place on April 19, 2026, during the official opening of HANNOVER MESSE. All participating companies and institutions are eligible to submit entries. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2026. At the same time, the HERMES Startup AWARD will also be presented, which specifically honors young, innovative companies.

HANNOVER MESSE with new exhibition format: Defense Production Area

HANNOVER MESSE is introducing a new exhibition format – the Defense Production Area – dedicated to state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies for the defense sector. This specialized platform will feature companies showcasing actionable solutions to help the defense and security industry scale its manufacturing capacity rapidly, efficiently, and with a focus on security – embedded in the industrial environment and global reach that characterize HANNOVER MESSE.

HANNOVER MESSE: Where research and manufacturing meet

Technology transfer is essential for manufacturing companies to remain competitive, because research enables new digital tools, innovative materials and scalable production processes. HANNOVER MESSE brings theory and practice together, promoting cooperation between industry, science and politics.