In just one week—on October 6—a space designed for more than just viewing exhibits will open in Hall F of the Brno Exhibition Centre. Visitors will be able to test various solutions firsthand, discuss them with experts, and hear about the experiences of companies that are already implementing digitalization, automation, or artificial intelligence in practice.
"Our goal isn't to dazzle visitors with a vast array of advanced technologies. We want them to see these technologies in context, talk to the people who actually work with them, and perhaps even take away a concrete idea for solving a production problem of their own," says Robert Keil, Director of the National Centre for Industry 4.0.
From the robot itself to the question of whether a company actually needs one
Researchers, technology firms, and industrial enterprises will stand side-by-side at the joint exhibition. This allows visitors to view a single technology from multiple perspectives—ranging from development and testing to integration into production and the practical experience of the companies using it.
Moreover, many of the demonstrations will be hands-on. Visitors can collaborate with a humanoid robot, get a massage or a portrait drawn by a robot, meet an autonomous inspection robot, try out AR/AI glasses, or experience new comfort features in the Škoda Peaq vehicle.
Yet, underlying these engaging demonstrations is a key question facing industrial companies today: where do technologies deliver real value, and how can they be successfully implemented in operations? That is why the exhibition will showcase various stages of the innovation journey. The RICAIP testbeds in Prague and Brno will offer opportunities for the development, simulation, and testing of solutions. Škoda Auto will showcase its experience with production digitalization and AI utilization; Siemens will focus on software-driven manufacturing and digital engineering; and T-Mobile will highlight connectivity and data management. KUKA, Smart Informatics, and DEL will present various forms of robotization, automation, and production modernization; Murrelektronik will demonstrate decentralized control systems; and Česká spořitelna will complement the technological perspective with insights into the economics of innovation and its financing.
The goal is not to present ten separate worlds; quite the opposite. Many of the demonstrations are being created collaboratively, illustrating that modernizing production increasingly requires the integration of diverse areas of expertise.
DigiStage: Industry without long presentations
This same principle extends just a few steps away from the main exhibition area to the DigiStage. The "United by Innovation: Industrial Show" program is built around short presentations, case studies, discussions, and live demonstrations.
On Tuesday, the program kicks off with a strategic discussion titled "Technology is Changing Industry—But Where Is It Actually Leading?" Strategic topics will be addressed by Robert Keil (National Centre for Industry 4.0), Norbert Hovančák (Česká spořitelna), Eduard Palíšek (Siemens), David Rozenský (T-Mobile), and Pavel Burget (RICAIP Testbed Prague). Together, they will explore issues that transcend specific technologies, such as the human-technology relationship, the cost of delaying innovation, the rapid rise of AI, and the search for new opportunities for Czech industry.
Wednesday’s Industrial Show will focus on practical experience. How does software-driven manufacturing work? What are companies actually using industrial AI for today? What benefits does a digital twin offer? How can robots be utilized for autonomous inspection? And are humanoid robots truly the future of industry, or are we primarily witnessing technologically impressive demonstrations?
Answers will be provided by professionals who deal with these topics in their daily work. For instance, Škoda Auto will present its "Production Copilot" (PROCOP); Siemens will showcase the use of AI in engineering and manufacturing; Smart Informatics will demonstrate autonomous robotic inspection and facility security; and experts from KUKA, CIIRC CTU, and Škoda Auto will discuss the real-world potential of humanoid robotics. A dedicated session will also address industrial cybersecurity. Česká spořitelna will present success stories from Czech industry.
Taking AI from Presentation to Factory Floor
Thursday’s program will focus on a challenge many companies face today: they know they want to use AI but aren't sure exactly where to start.
The session "Bringing AI into Production: From Problem to Working Solution" will therefore showcase the Czech ecosystem that enables companies to progress from an initial idea—through experimentation and technology validation—to actual deployment. It will combine insights from industrial university testbeds in Prague, Brno, and Ostrava with initiatives such as EDIHs, AI-MATTERS, and the Czech AI Factory.
Through case studies, the program will also highlight manufacturing modernization, the use of digital twins, and new approaches in the energy sector. The event will conclude with a focus on field technology. T-Mobile and Smart Informatics will first present technologies capable of assisting integrated emergency services during operations; they will then move outdoors with attendees to the area in front of Hall F for live demonstrations of these technologies in action.
A single visit can spark a concrete project
As mentioned at the start, "United by Innovation" has another dimension. Visitors who arrive not just for inspiration but with a specific problem can begin exploring potential solutions right there at the trade fair.
The National Centre for Industry 4.0 connects companies with technology partners, research teams, and testing infrastructures. This allows a company to define its problem, verify a solution via simulation or within a testbed, assess its feasibility and economic impact, and only then decide on investment and real-world implementation. The process can also include identifying suitable financing options. We can even help quantify the cost of a company deciding to postpone innovation.
This is the essence of "United by Innovation": visitors need not leave with nothing more than a vision and inspiration. They can depart with a concrete idea of which issues are worth addressing next within their own companies.
The joint "United by Innovation" exhibition comprises the National Centre for Industry 4.0 (the technology guarantor for RICAIP Testbed Prague) and partners including RICAIP Testbed Brno, Siemens, KUKA, Česká spořitelna, Smart Informatics, Škoda Auto, T-Mobile, DEL, and Murrelektronik.
United by Innovation | MSV 2026
October 6–9, 2026
BVV Brno, Hall F – Digital Factory 2.0, Stand 200
You can also find more information about the exhibition at https://www.ncp40.cz/udalosti/msv2026
Photo credit: National Centre for Industry 4.0, Jakub Rozboud
Translated by Google Trnaslate
