How productivity is being redefined – and what the factory of the future looks like
The manufacturing industry is at a turning point. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain volatility, labor shortages, and rapid technological advances are reshaping global competition. As new challenges emerge, resilience and adaptability are more crucial than ever. In this environment, redefining productivity and realizing the factory of the future are becoming decisive factors for industrial success. At Hannover Messe 2026, industry leaders unite to showcase the next wave of technologies transforming manufacturing.
The next phase of industrial intelligence is the fusion of advanced automation, AI, and digital integration – empowering manufacturers to achieve unprecedented productivity, resilience, and adaptability.
Digital solutions – like AI-driven scheduling, predictive maintenance, and GenAI-supported reporting – are now integral to plant performance. These advancements enable manufacturers to make faster decisions, build more resilient processes, and achieve measurable productivity gains, laying the groundwork for deeper automation. For instance, the
Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award 2026,
hosted by Roland Berger and Microsoft Germany, highlights how leading companies are embedding artificial intelligence into their core operations – demonstrating the real-world impact of AI as it moves from pilot projects to daily factory floor performance.
"Every step toward lights-out manufacturing is a step toward a more resilient, future-ready industry."
Building on this digital foundation, Roland Berger’s work with leading manufacturers shows that automation is no longer a distant vision. Lights-out operations – fully automated shifts in selected areas – are already a reality, while full autonomy remains a long-term ambition. By stabilizing processes, embedding automation requirements early, and closing system gaps through better data integration, manufacturers can expand autonomous capabilities and unlock new productivity gains.
"Humanoid robots are starting to step out of the lab and onto the factory floor - performing first tasks in human environments and unlock new possibilities for flexible automation."
At the same time, humanoid robots are moving closer to industrial reality.
Advances in AI
and robotics hardware are making it increasingly feasible to deploy machines capable of operating in human-designed environments. This convergence of technology and market demand is opening new possibilities for flexible automation and bridging gaps that traditional systems cannot address – further strengthening operational resilience.
Resilient operations
To pursue greater autonomy and flexibility, competitive advantage is becoming more deeply embedded in operations. From more autonomous production environments and more reliable asset performance to more resilient supply networks, companies are rethinking how value is created. Automation and digitalization are not only transforming the shop floor but also reshaping supply chains, which must now balance cost efficiency with the ability to adapt quickly to disruption.
Connect and explore with our experts
The next phase of industrial intelligence is here. Meet Roland Berger’s experts at Hannover Messe 2026 to discuss how these shifts translate into measurable impact across the industrial value chain. Explore our latest research, reach out to our experts, or attend our
innovation tour to see how intelligent automation and robotics are setting new standards for precision, flexibility, and scalable performance in manufacturing.
