In April 2026, NTEC Corporation, a wire harness and control panel manufacturer in Japan, visited Hannover Messe 2026, one of the world’s largest industrial technology trade fairs. Held from April 20 to 24 under the motto “Think Tech Forward,” the fair centered on automation, digitalization and the use of AI in production. About 110,000 people attended, roughly 40 percent of them from abroad, with especially strong turnout from China, Brazil, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
Why we attended
As a wire harness manufacturer in Japan serving robotics and automation companies, NTEC needs to understand where our customers’ machines are heading. Hannover Messe gave us a direct look at the technologies that will shape demand for robotics wire harnesses and control panels in Europe and worldwide.
What we observed
Humanoid robots were everywhere. Around 15 companies presented production-ready humanoid systems built for industrial tasks. We saw humanoids put to work in live demos, such as robots carrying totes at the Siemens booth, scanning a BMW at Hexagon, and sorting parts into boxes at Agile Robots. At the same time, many visitors questioned how ready they really are. Some observers noted that many humanoids stood idle for much of the day, and some engineers argued that wheel-based machines are often more practical for early deployments because they are easier to move and more stable.
Real orders are starting to appear. After a pilot deployment, Schaeffler announced plans to deploy at least 1,000 of Hexagon’s AEON humanoid robots over the next seven years.
AI moved from demos to the factory floor. Companies showcased AI-powered production systems that automate processes and predict outages, and integrating these tools into existing production environments became a major theme.
Traditional industrial robots took a back seat. One attendee noted that classic stationary robots for welding, assembly and painting felt almost underrepresented this year.
Industry insight: what this means for wire harnesses
The most important lesson for us was where the value in robotics is moving. According to McKinsey, the biggest opportunities in humanoid robotics lie in precision components, sensors and especially actuators, which can make up as much as 60 percent of a humanoid robot’s total cost. Every additional actuator, joint, and sensor needs power and signal wiring routed through tight, constantly moving spaces. As robots become more compact and more human-like, the need for high-flex, precisely built robotics wire harnesses will only grow. This is exactly where component suppliers like NTEC can add value.
Looking ahead
The next Hannover Messe will run April 5–8, 2027, condensed to four days, with Spain as the partner country. We will use the insights from this year’s show to strengthen our wire harness and control panel solutions as we expand our support for robotics and automation companies around the world.
If you are looking for a reliable wire harness manufacturer in Japan for your robotics or automation project, please contact us through our inquiry form.
Founded in 1985 in Himeji, Japan, NTEC manufactures industrial wire harnesses, control panels, and automation equipment for robotics, semiconductor, and heavy machinery makers. ISO 9001:2015 certified; UL file E327174.