The Robotics & Automation Awards will run live on day one of the Robotics & Automation Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham on 18 March 2026.

In a major revamp of the event’s format, eligibility will be limited to companies exhibiting at any of the co-located shows: Robotics & Automation, IntraLogisteX, Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition and Fulfilment & Last Mile Expo. Winners will be announced on stage in the Robotics & Automation Conference Theatre.

The move places the accolades at the centre of the UK’s largest annual gathering for logistics, warehousing and automation, tying recognition to firms that are visibly engaged with the market.

Categories will open in early 2026 with updated criteria focused on real-world deployments and measurable benefits.

Themes set to shape the 2026 shortlist include automation under inflationary pressure and ROI delivery, peak-period resilience, talent and skills, carbon and compliance, scaling from pilot to production, AI-driven scheduling and control, and the role of robotics in reshoring and local production.

Further information on entry timelines and category definitions will be released ahead of the 2026 co-located events at the NEC Birmingham on 18-19 March.

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■ Low-Carbon Automation in Operations

■ Automation for Circular & Returns Flows

■ Sustainable Packaging Automation

■ Autonomous Delivery & Service Robotics

■ Automated Out-of-Home & Micro-Hub

Infrastructure

■ AI-Driven Last-Mile Orchestration