Bosch Connected World 2026: Bosch Accelerates Automation and Robotics Technology

The growth of advanced robotics, particularly humanoid systems, heralds the next phase of automation. Bosch is playing a key role in driving this development and is pushing forward core technologies in automation and robotics. Bosch has responded swiftly to the increasing demand for automation and robotics technology and has already established itself as a global commercialisation partner and component supplier.

Robotics requires a delicate sense of touch

Robots need a delicate sense of touch to interact safely and precisely with their environment, whether in a factory or at home. The small but essential technology that gives robots this tactile sense is the micro-electromechanical system, known as the MEMS sensor. MEMS sensors are key to enabling robots to handle objects with precision and respond sensitively to physical contact. For example, MEMS sensors allow a robot to adjust its grip for a sturdy glass or a fragile one. Bosch is the global market leader in MEMS sensors, and MEMS sensors are at the heart of the Bosch Reutlingen semiconductor plant.

According to Yole Group, a market research and strategy consulting firm, the MEMS sensor market, in which Bosch is the leading player, is expected to grow to over $19.2 billion by 2030, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 4% (Source: Status of the MEMS Industry 2025 report, Yole Group).

Bosch accelerates the development of cognitive robotics

To accelerate the development of automation and robotics, Bosch relies on a combination of selected internal innovations and an open ecosystem approach. To this end, Bosch has founded Robert Bosch Robotics GmbH, a specialist organisation focused on the development and commercialisation of robotics solutions. At the same time, Bosch is continuously driving industrial expansion through strategic partnerships. For example, Bosch is collaborating with German start-up Neura Robotics to accelerate the development of cognitive robotics. Thanks to its manufacturing expertise, Bosch acts as a key partner for leading robotics start-ups worldwide, including UK-based Humanoid, as well as numerous partners in the US and China, helping them to bring their prototypes into mass production. Bosch is particularly consolidating its activities in China within the Bosch Robotics Center China (BROC), established earlier this year, to drive the development of physical AI and the commercialisation of robotics solutions.

Beyond the 'intelligence' of robots, Bosch's strength lies in the core components that give robots their physical capabilities. Bosch Rexroth offers a comprehensive portfolio of core components for modern robotics and factory automation. This includes high-precision electric motors and servo drives to ensure precise movement, as well as ctrlX AUTOMATION for smart, flexible robot control tailored to various environments and requirements. Bosch also provides complex assemblies and subsystems that deliver the power, speed, and precision robots need; these components serve as the technological backbone for a wide range of automation tasks. Additionally, Bosch offers support for robot manufacturing plant equipment, such as Rexroth conveyor systems.

A unique treasure trove of data from over 230 Bosch plants worldwide

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the engine empowering new capabilities in automation and robotics. Bosch has embedded this core technology into its strategy and utilises it on two levels. Firstly, Bosch is introducing AI models from the cloud into physical products to enable automated operations. Secondly, Bosch already makes extensive use of AI in its own manufacturing processes, in areas such as production process optimisation, predictive maintenance, and optical defect detection. The foundation for these learning AI systems is a vast treasure trove of data collected from over 230 Bosch plants worldwide, a unique asset in the industry. Furthermore, Bosch uses special data suits that record motion sequences as a basis for learning, in order to convert human expertise into machine-readable data. Bosch contributes this expertise to its partnership with Neura Robotics, collaborating to accelerate the development of cognitive robotics.

On the topic of AI, a survey by the Bosch Tech Compass, conducted among over 11,000 people in seven countries worldwide, shows that the majority of people have for years viewed AI as the most influential and positive technology. One key finding is that global enthusiasm for AI is growing, with 70% of respondents believing that AI will be very important in the future.