“Smart Automation and Robotics – Driving Next Gen Manufacturing”
The International Machine Tool Fair 2026 and Plastics & Polymers Exhibition held at the Chennai Trade Centre (2–6 April) brought together over 1000 industry professionals, positioning itself as a key platform for shaping the future of manufacturing in India.
At the Global Metal & Polymer Integration Summit – BLENTRIX 2026, a series of high-impact panel discussions explored the convergence of automation, robotics, and intelligent systems.
NIQR at the Forefront
On 3rd April, Mr. C V Gowri Sankar, National Executive Council Member of the National Institution for Quality and Reliability, represented the institution as a panelist in the session:
“Smart Automation and Robotics – Driving Next Gen Manufacturing”
The session was moderated by Mr. Nanda Kumar, Director, Wittmann Battenfeld India, and featured distinguished experts:
- Mr. Palani Balasundaram – Advanced Industrial Robotics Applications
- Mr. Perumal Annamalai – AI-Powered Automation & Machine Vision
- Dr. Vivek Justus – Human–Robot Collaboration & Future Skills
From Connected Automation to Intelligent Integration
Mr. Gowri Sankar anchored the discussion at a critical intersection—where systems, intelligence, and human capability converge.
He reframed the industry 4.0 to 5.0 transition not as a buzzword shift, but as a fundamental evolution:
From connected automation → to intelligent integration
Where:
- Machines do not just execute
- Systems do not just connect
- Ecosystems learn, adapt, and collaborate with human intelligence
Smart Manufacturing: Already a Reality in India
Drawing from real-world deployments, the session emphasized that:
Smart manufacturing is no longer aspirational—it is already happening at scale in India.
Key industry insights included:
- Retrofitting legacy machines with IIoT for predictive maintenance and productivity gains
- Leveraging data for real-time visibility and faster, informed decision-making
- Integrating manufacturing and logistics data streams for better sequencing and scheduling
Digital Twins: Technology with Purpose
A defining moment of the session was the articulation of digital twin applications through two powerful narratives:
“In Amaravati, we used digital twins to build the future…
In Bhubaneswar, we are using digital twins to protect the past.”
This highlighted a deeper truth:
Technology is not just about efficiency—it is about purpose, continuity, and intelligent decision-making.
A Milestone in NIQR’s Journey
This engagement marked a significant milestone:
- 70th NIQR program on Industry 4.0 / 5.0
- 15,847+ professionals sensitized to the evolving industrial paradigm
NIQR’s Ongoing Mission
NIQR continues to play a pivotal role in:
- Building future-ready talent
- Enabling industry transformation
- Accelerating India’s transition towards Industry 5.0
Makes one thing clear:
- The future will not be built by technology alone
- It will be built by those who understand how to integrate it
NIQR at the Exhibition
- NIQR also established a strong presence at the exhibition through its dedicated stall (Stall No. C91), which served as an active engagement point for industry professionals, practitioners, and young aspirants.
- Visitors were provided with comprehensive insights into NIQR’s wide-ranging initiatives in quality, reliability, and Industry 4.0 / 5.0 transformation. The interactions enabled meaningful discussions on capacity building, training programs, and industry collaboration.
- A key highlight at the stall was the NIQR–Dr. V. Krishnamurthy Medal for Manufacturing Excellence for MSMEs, which drew significant attention. The award, instituted to recognize and encourage excellence in the MSME sector, sparked keen interest among participants, reinforcing NIQR’s commitment to promoting quality-driven manufacturing across India.
- The stall witnessed enthusiastic participation throughout the event, further strengthening NIQR’s outreach and impact within the manufacturing ecosystem.
