On 6 and 7 October 2026, the IIC 2026 at the EY headquarters at Stuttgart Airport. Two days packed with keynote speeches, live demos, exclusive excursions and high-calibre networking on the topics of humanoid robotics, digital twins and AI-supported production planning. Any production manager, head of operations or decision-maker in the industry who wants to know where manufacturing is heading should keep an eye on this event.
Register by 31 July 26 to take advantage of the discounted early bird rate and become part of the community.
Three key reasons why you should register now:
- Humanoid robots are no longer a thing of the future. Boston Dynamics is showcasing current use cases, and companies such as NVIDIA and Wandelbots are demonstrating how Physical AI is already being used in production environments today.
- A practical approach is key. IIC 2026 focuses on live demonstrations, factory tours and interactive workshops rather than purely lecture-based formats.
- The Early Bird ticket is only valid until 31 July 2026. If you book now, you’ll save 100 euros compared to the standard price.
The Digital Factory is on the cusp of its next stage of evolution
Manufacturing companies in Germany are under considerable pressure: a shortage of skilled workers, rising energy costs, increasing demands for efficiency and compliance, and relentless global competition. At the same time, technologies are emerging that have the potential to fundamentally transform manufacturing: humanoid robots are taking over manual tasks, digital twins enable the virtual planning of entire plants, and artificial intelligence optimises workflows in real time.
The question is no longer ‘if’, but ‘how’ and ‘when’ manufacturing companies will integrate these technologies into their processes. This is precisely where the IIC 2026 comes in.
IIC 2026 brings together experts and decision-makers to provide a clear understanding of the latest developments in the industry.
What to expect at the IIC 2026
The conference programme is designed to run over two intensive days and is clearly aimed at decision-makers and thought leaders from industry, research and education:
Day 1, 6 October 2026:
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Keynote on the Industrial Metaverse and AI Cloud with Björn Weidenmüller (T-Systems), NVIDIA and Katharina Jessa (Wandelbots)
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Keynote presentation on circular economy approaches in e-axle manufacturing with Dr Martin Enders (Schaeffler) and Dr Miriam Schleipen (EKS)
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Pitch session with domeba, EDAG, EY, MTM, SuitX by Ottobock and SyncTwin
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Industry Use Cases from EKS and IMK
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Field trip to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen
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Social dinner at the Platzhirsch brewery restaurant, Böblingen
Day 2, 7 October 2026:
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Presentation by Kevin Maximilian Kron (Boston Dynamics) on humanoid robotics and current industry use cases
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Panel discussion on „Humanoid Robotics and AI“ with representatives from EY, IMK, EKS and MotionMiners
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Release workshop on the RF::Suite and ema Software Suite, featuring new AI features
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Campus tour of the Festo Experience Centre or lab tour at the EY European Industrials AI Innovation Hub
Discover how humanoid robots and AI-powered production planning can unlock new potential and boost your productivity.
„Discover how humanoid robots and AI-powered work planning can boost your efficiency."
The EY European Industrials AI Innovation Hub: a unique experience
A key element of the IIC 2026 is the EY European Industrials AI Innovation Hub „SKYLOOP“ right at the venue. Across 200 square metres, featuring over 20 immersive demos and 140 use cases, visitors can try out technologies such as the Industrial Metaverse and Physical AI for themselves. In the integrated Ideas Arena, concrete prototypes are being developed in collaboration with partners such as Microsoft and NVIDIA.
This isn’t a show floor where you simply sit back and watch presentations. It’s a learning environment where you can experience first-hand what these technologies can achieve in your production environment. For decision-makers who need to make well-informed investment decisions, this is precisely what offers crucial added value.
Exclusive excursions and renowned exhibitors
IIC 2026 offers two exclusive experiences that go beyond the traditional conference format:
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Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen Plant (6 October): Experience the collaboration between humans and robots in modern vehicle production.
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Festo Experience Centre, Esslingen (7 October): Expand your knowledge of pneumatic and electrical automation solutions through practical applications.
Among the headline speakers at IIC 2026 are Kevin Kron from Boston Dynamics, Katharina Jessa from Wandelbots, Dr Martin Enders from Schaeffler and Björn Weidenmüller from T-Systems. These names represent solid, hands-on experience from companies that are actively shaping the global market for industrial AI and robotics. Exhibitors such as Siemens, Ottobock and other market leaders will also provide exclusive insights into the latest developments.
