Edge AI is having a radical impact in the industrial sector, where autonomous robots are transforming factories. “In manufacturing, a 2–3 percent efficiency gain used to be huge. Now, in AI projects, we are seeing 15–80 percent improvements,” says Berret from Roland Berger. “In the next five years, the autonomous-driven machine will become standard, particularly in combination with remote access and management,” says Stefan Engleder, CEO of ENGEL Group, which is preparing to launch a self-driven, AI-supported injection molding machine.

Boston Consulting Group forecasts that 60 percent of global factories will be “lights-out capable” by 2035, driven by robotics and AI agent adoption. “We believe the breakthrough will come with the development of humanoid robots,” says Mats Gökstorp, CEO of SICK AG. Ali Ors, Global Director of AI Strategy at NXP Semiconductors, calls the “big move” towards humanoid robots “fascinating” and adds, “we are shifting from science fiction into real technology.” Design and safety questions remain unresolved, however, and Dr. Hoe Seng Ooi, CTO of NexCOBOT, warns that trust is paramount: “Humanoid robots are mobile and battery-powered. The key issue is trust. You do not want a Terminator scenario in your house – you must be able to shut the robot down safely anytime.”