The top 4 trends to expect at Hannover Messe 2020

The organizers of Hannover Messe 2020, the world’s largest industrial technology fair, held a preview this week to share what’s on deck for the conference, which runs April 20-24 in Hannover, Germany.

Digitalization, individualization, climate protection and demographic change are all altering the world, and economic and political situations present a challenge to develop new partnerships.

“The way we live, produce things and work is undergoing extremely rapid change,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe, in a statement. “The manufacturing industry is in the driver’s seat. The challenge is to take the wheel and shape the change.”

Some key themes for this year:

1. The role of data in machine learning

Machines and systems communicate and share information with each other autonomously, while software takes care of the documentation, monitoring and simulation. This data revolution is driving efficiency and is the prerequisite for machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Hannover Messe will feature presentations of software solutions for flexible manufacturing and B2B platforms for industry by big-name companies such as Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Google, HUAWEI, IBM, Intel, Kaspersky, Microsoft, SAP, Siemens PLM and Software AG.

2. 5G for industry

This year’s conference will see the return of the 5G testbed infrastructure that premiered last year, this time in halls 3 and 21.

Network equipment providers and users use the testbed to demonstrate the kinds of functionality that the new mobile communications standard will be able to deliver.

Numerous individual showcases in these halls will be networked via 5G.

3. The convergence of production and logistics

Digitalization is already a major driver of change in all areas of intralogistics. This includes automated warehouses, where processes are controlled by software programs, and where automated guided vehicle systems tour the halls at all hours of the day and night, delivering the right goods and materials in the right quantities to the right place at exactly the right time.

Another key aspect is that production and logistics processes are converging and becoming increasingly interconnected, thereby making production more efficient, flexible and cost-effective. This year, Hannover Messe will prominently feature logistics and intralogistics solutions.

4. The road to carbon-neutral production

The climate debate currently taking place in society is adding further momentum to the development of sustainable advanced technologies and carbon-neutral business models.

Whatever form these technologies and business models take – whether smart solutions for energy, circular economy models or lightweight design – the resulting gains in terms of resource conservation, energy efficiency and process optimization will do more than merely counter climate change; they will be good for business as well.

One of the key messages of this year’s conference is that climate protection and forward-looking industrial policies are two inseparable sides of the same coin.

In addition to the exhibitions, Hannover Messe will host more than 80 conferences and forums. The conference takes place April 20-24, 2020 in Hannover, Germany, with Indonesia as its official Partner Country.

Missed Hannover Messe last year? Watch our round-up video.