The ema Online Summit took place on 17 April 2026 and brought together over 250 participants from business, science and industry for a compact online conference on the future of digital factory and work planning. Three hours of intensive practice, pioneering research and inspiring application examples: The summit impressively demonstrated how far the digital transformation in production planning has already progressed.
- AI and real-world data are fundamentally changing factory planning. Laser scan data combined with AI enables fast, reliable layouts that would previously have taken weeks.
- Integrated planning environments are becoming the standard. The linking of Omniverse, Mixed Reality and the ema Software Suite makes cross-departmental planning across system boundaries seamless for the first time.
- Human-robot collaboration and sustainability belong together. Modern production systems are efficient and future-proof if they put people at the centre and consider remanufacturing concepts from the outset.
Digital factory planning at the next level
The ema Online Summit is no ordinary webinar. It is the annual gathering of the ema community: production managers, factory planners, researchers, university lecturers and innovation drivers from companies and academic partner institutions. This year, over 200 participants came together from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. to gain direct insights from the field.
The agenda of the ema Online Summit 2026 was wide-ranging and practical: laser scanning and AI for the rapid creation of factory layouts, omniverse and mixed reality for integrated planning, human-robot interaction and sustainable remanufacturing concepts. There were also specific application examples from the construction industry, automotive industry, logistics and industrial manufacturing.
"Digitalisation and system complexity require integrated tools that combine planning, human-centricity, simulation and AI in a powerful ecosystem."
A programme that goes into depth
What particularly characterised the three hours was the combination of content density and genuine exchange. Speakers from business, science and industry not only presented results, but also shared how they got there: with concrete use cases, honest learnings and insights that you rarely get so directly.
Between and after the presentations, there was room for questions, discussions and direct dialogue with speakers. It was precisely these moments that made the summit the real added value for many: not the passive consumption of content, but the dialogue with people who know the same challenges and have already tried out solutions.
The programme deliberately covered a wide range of topics, from AI-supported ergonomic planning and laser scan integration to holistic simulation with NVIDIA Omniverse, human-robot collaboration on construction sites and compliance tools for occupational safety. Each topic in itself was a complete insight into the state of the art. Taken together, the programme showed what is possible today when digital tools, human-centric methods and industrial practice work together.
"Three hours that shift the horizon: The ema Online Summit makes tangible what is already a reality in digital factory planning today."
At a glance
- Over 250 participants from business, science and industry
- Direct practical transfer through use cases from companies and research institutions
- Interdisciplinary perspectives from a worldwide network
- Depth of application in real industries: Automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics, construction and more
- Bundled expertise on AI, laser scanning, omniverse, mixed reality and human-robot collaboration
- Free participation for all interested parties from companies, universities and research institutions
No problem, in our ema Academy you will find all presentations and the recordings of the lectures:
Summary and conclusion
The ema Online Summit 2026 proved once again that digital and virtual production planning is no longer a project for the future, but a reality in leading companies and research institutions. The combination of AI, real data, virtual planning environments and human-centred methods is no longer niche knowledge, but is used across all industries. Those who catch up now will position themselves as pioneers in a rapidly changing production world.
For planning managers, production managers, safety managers and university lecturers, the ema Software Suite offers a proven basis for meeting challenges such as cost pressure, a shortage of skilled labour, increasing compliance requirements and growing system complexity. The Summit was a testament to the strength of a community that drives research and industrial application together.
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FAQ
What is the ema Online Summit?
The ema Online Summit is the annual free online conference organised by imk ema at which companies, universities and research institutes present and discuss current applications, best practices and research results relating to the ema Software Suite.
Who takes part in the ema Online Summit?
The summit is aimed at production managers, factory planners, safety managers, innovation managers, teachers and researchers who use digital planning methods or would like to familiarise themselves with them. Participants come from industries such as automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics, electronics manufacturing and construction.
What topics are covered?
The summit covers a broad spectrum: AI-supported factory planning, ergonomics simulation, laser scanning, digital twins in NVIDIA Omniverse, human-robot collaboration and occupational safety.
Does participation cost anything?
No. Participation in the ema Online Summit is completely free of charge and only requires a simple registration.
How can I make sure I don't miss the next ema event?
Register now for our Newsletter and never miss an ema Online Summit or similar events again!
Overview of all lectures
Human-Centered AI in the Virtual Factory - Digital Planning of Ergonomic & Efficient Production with ema Work Designer
In his presentation, our CEO Lars Fritzsche showed the added value of the ema Software Suite with its integrated factory and work planning and how AI functionalities can support future planning processes. The insights into emaAI (release for everyone in Sept. 2026!) and the possibilities shown for combining process planning with AI, robotics and humanoids were particularly exciting. Thank you very much for this inspiring overview of current ema applications and current developments in digital factory and work planning.
From Reality to Simulation - Accelerating Factory and Work Planning at DEUTZ AG with RIIICO and ema Work Designer
Marian Vagaday and Ashar Ahmad used an application example at DEUTZ AG to show how 3D scan data from a factory can be automatically segmented using RIIICO software and AI and then integrated into the ema process simulation. There, the data was combined with other CAD data such as tools and digital human models and the process was simulated in order to carry out route, time and ergonomics analyses. This means that existing factories and production lines can be digitised and analysed much more quickly. The insights into further developments in AI-supported approaches for the automatic segmentation of scan data, which promise further efficiency gains, were also exciting.
Holistic Simulation of Digital Twins with Real Logic and Behaviour
Stefan Reinhardt and Julian Zürn gave an impressive demonstration of how different simulation tools such as ema and Virtuos can be linked together using NVIDIA Omniverse to realise holistic digital twins. A joint use case was used to demonstrate how ema can be used for the process simulation of humans and robots with time and ergonomics analyses, while ISG-virtuos enables the virtual commissioning and validation of robot and machine control. The ability to interactively visualise and virtually test processes and systems using XR applications was particularly exciting.
Application of the Metaverse in Industry - potential, practical examples and perspectives
Uwe Fries and Omid Safari from Fraunhofer IWU showed how metaverse technologies, digital twins, robots, AI and NVIDIA Omniverse can already be used in industrial factory and work planning today. Using various practical examples, participants were given exciting insights into digital factories, material flow and process simulation as well as ergonomic analyses and human-robot interactions. One highlight was a use case simulated in ema, in which heavy loads are supported by the use of humanoid robots - an impressive example of the potential of new technologies in the working world of the future.
Circular Economy in Practice - Reuse, Disassembly and Sustainable Factory Design with ema
Prof Nicole Stricker provided exciting insights into the use of the ema Software Suite for circular economy concepts - from sustainable factory planning to disassembly and remanufacturing processes. Of particular interest was the combination of simulation, ergonomic evaluation and human-robot collaboration to efficiently plan and evaluate even complex and uncertain processes. In addition, further potentials of ema for future circular economy applications were demonstrated, which can support companies in the development of sustainable and future-proof production systems.
Human-Centered Planning of Construction Processes with ema -Robotics, Simulation and Occupational Safety
In their joint presentation, Prof Linner (OTH) and Felix Brandstädt (BG BAU) impressively demonstrated how digital factory and process simulation with the ema Software Suite can also be used for the ergonomic and efficient planning of construction processes. Practical applications from the construction industry were presented - from the evaluation of ergonomic loads during ceiling grinding to the simulation and optimisation of human- and robot-assisted construction processes such as bricklaying, paving or painting. The combination of process simulations with automation solutions such as robotics and prefabrication still offers great potential for the construction industry and the skilled trades.
Summary & Outlook - Shaping the Future Together
At the end of the ema Online Summit, I was able to summarise the most important impulses of the day and give an outlook on the central question: How can we design the factory and workplace of today and in the future - efficient, ergonomic, and sustainable - using digital tools?
It became clear how companies, universities and research partners can already use the ema Software Suite to implement sustainable, ergonomic and productive solutions for factories, production lines and processes in a wide range of industries and impart knowledge about them.
The presentations also showed that developments such as AI, robotics and humanoids as well as metaverse and NVIDIA omniverse technologies will have a significant impact on future factory and work planning and can further increase their efficiency and sustainability - for example through emaAI. The consideration of people in planning and implementation remains particularly important here.
ema Education also supports the integration of these topics into teaching and research. At the same time, imk is continuously developing the ema Software Suite and working with partners on new concepts and methods in research projects such as MetaSafe, DuSwap and AutoWert.
