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KUKA unveils vision for Automation 2.0 as Physical AI reshapes global manufacturing

13 Apr 2026

An orange robot from KUKA took the stage at NVIDIA GTC, joining Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA—the world’s most valuable publicly listed company. His keynote underscored a clear message: industrial automation is moving into a new era. In the manufacturing sector, AI will go beyond analysis and prediction to actively perceive, make decisions, and operate autonomously in the physical environment.

Physical AI and next-generation robotics are quickly becoming essential across manufacturing, supply chains, and industrial services, helping drive greater productivity and competitiveness. This shift is being fueled by advances in large-scale AI models, simulation-based innovation, and high-performance computing architectures that span devices, edge systems, and data centers.

KUKA Group, as a global automation company, is playing an important role in this shift. KUKA Group CEO Christoph Schell says: “Robots and automation systems are evolving from programmable machines to intelligent collaborators, capable of learning, adapting and operating safely alongside humans. With new open software platforms such as KUKA AMP bridging traditional deterministic automation, such as rule‑based, pre‑programmed systems, with intent-based automation, the pathway from concept to deployment is becoming faster, more accurate, more cost efficient and more autonomous”. KUKA unveiled its new automation management software platform (KUKA AMP) publicly for the first time at NVIDIA GTC.

From Automation 1.0 to Physical AI: KUKA Group builds on its strengths to drive global leadership and future growth

With advancements in its technology stack, KUKA is integrating intent-based capabilities and physical AI across its portfolio, including robotics, system integration, warehouse management, healthcare automation, and simulation. Intent-based systems enable users to define desired outcomes, while the technology autonomously determines the steps needed to achieve them—removing the need for detailed human instructions. Through this shift, KUKA is repositioning itself to strengthen its global leadership in the era of Physical AI, which it describes as “Automation 2.0.”

Robots are evolving from programmable machines into intelligent collaborators, capable of learning, adapting and operating safely alongside humans. © KUKA Group.

Meanwhile, within the current landscape of traditional rule-based systems—often referred to as “Automation 1.0”—competition is intensifying. Established automation clients, particularly in the automotive sector and other industries, are scaling back investments, while demand patterns and manufacturing operations continue to shift across global markets. “As we move toward Automation 2.0 and Physical AI, Automation 1.0 remains essential – for KUKA and for the entire industry. Proven, rule-based automation continues to deliver the stability and productivity our customers rely on, especially in high volume and safety critical environments. We’re not replacing it. We’re expanding it with intent-based and AI driven capabilities. Automation 1.0 remains as the backbone, while Automation 2.0 adds new flexibility. KUKA will continue to be a key player in both”, Christoph Schell says.

At the same time, rapid technological disruption and strong future growth potential are drawing increased investment from both new entrants and established players in the robotics and automation sector. In this increasingly competitive landscape, KUKA’s strategic repositioning is already showing results, with the group achieving profitable revenue growth of 4% in 2025 alongside a rise in order intake.

KUKA Group accelerates innovation with record R&D spend and a billion euro milestone in China

KUKA Group began laying the groundwork last year after the new CEO Christoph Schell took office. “We are consistently advancing our strategic direction. Our growth categories – intelligent automation, and software and AI defined infrastructure – are developing dynamically and form a capable foundation to enable long-term success. Our modular production platforms lead the way”, says Schell, and resumes: “Looking ahead, we expect a decade of profound technological transformation. Cost-out initiatives, Software and AI, as well as shifts in geographical importance are becoming decisive drivers of future success of the KUKA Group”, says the technology executive.

In 2025, KUKA invested a record €213 million in research and development—the highest level in its history. The company has also achieved a more balanced global presence, with revenue distributed تقريبately evenly across EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, each contributing about one-third.

China continues to dominate as the world’s largest robotics market, representing over 50% of global demand. Within this highly competitive landscape, KUKA has strengthened its position and now ranks among the top two players. Notably, for the first time, the company’s revenue from China surpassed €1 billion, highlighting the region’s increasing strategic importance.

"Automation 1.0 remains as the backbone, while Automation 2.0 adds new flexibility. KUKA will continue to be a key player in both."

- Christoph Schell, CEO KUKA Group

Global expansion with innovation hubs and integrated automation solutions across Asia

At the same time, KUKA is continuing to grow its global presence, most recently by opening a new training, research, and application center in central Vietnam in collaboration with the University of Danang.

In India—one of the world’s fastest-growing automation markets—the company is steadily expanding its footprint to capitalize on strong medium- to long-term industrial growth. Meanwhile, in the United States, KUKA has set up a software and AI center of excellence in Silicon Valley. The initiative is led by Marc Fleischmann and includes Melonee Wise, an award-winning robotics pioneer who recently presented KUKA AMP at NVIDIA GTC.

KUKA Group, known for its profound manufacturing expertise, is transforming from a machine manufacturer into a physical AI company. © KUKA Group.

For customers, this means working with a single automation partner capable of integrating hardware, software, and digital solutions—ranging from industrial and mobile robotics to simulation, shuttles, cranes, warehouse systems, and healthcare automation. KUKA delivers seamless, end-to-end automation solutions that are easier to implement, scale, and manage globally.

The company also operates full production facilities and automated contract manufacturing plants on behalf of its customers, and in certain industries, provides flexible Robots-as-a-Service models. CEO Peter Mohnen Schell подчеркed, “We are among the very few global end-to-end industrial automation solution providers.”

KUKA unveils vision for Automation 2.0 as Physical AI reshapes global manufacturing​

KUKA unveils vision for Automation 2.0 as Physical AI reshapes global manufacturing