Linz, Austria – Around 400 industry representatives gathered in Linz on February 4, 2026, for the “Zukunft.Produktion 2026” conference, focusing on the future of manufacturing through intelligent technologies. The event showcased how automation, robotics and digitalization can bolster the competitiveness of Upper Austria and address growing labor shortages, according to organizers.
The conference highlighted practical examples demonstrating the successful collaboration between research institutions and businesses in the region. According to Wirtschafts- und Forschungs-Landesrat Markus Achleitner, Upper Austria’s unique position as a leading industrial and economic region allows it to regain international competitiveness through these advancements, while simultaneously addressing demographic challenges related to workforce availability.
“In Oberösterreich treibt der Schulterschluss von Forschung und Wirtschaft die intelligente, automatisierte und digitalisierte Produktion besonders rasch voran,” Achleitner stated in a video message during the event. (“The collaboration between research and business is driving intelligent, automated and digitized production particularly rapidly in Upper Austria.”)
Business Upper Austria and the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce jointly hosted the “Zukunft.Produktion 2026” conference at the WKOÖ in Linz. Presentations featured successful implementations of intelligent production systems across various industries. Elmar Paireder, Mechatronik-Cluster-Manager, emphasized the “Automate Upper Austria” initiative, describing it as a response to current challenges and a driver for automation, robotization, and digitalization across all sectors.
The event underscored the potential of artificial intelligence and robotics to create more efficient, reliable, and resilient production processes. Achleitner noted that the “factory of the future” will leverage these technologies to enhance output and address the need for a skilled workforce.
Zukunft.Produktion 2026 showcased how physical AI, humanoid robots, and modular automation are being integrated into manufacturing processes. The conference served as a benchmark for intelligent production, with attendees gaining insights into the latest technologies, and processes.
Nina Meisinger-Krenn, Projektmanagerin Event Management/Marketing, is responsible for event management and marketing related to the Zukunft.Produktion initiative. Further details about the conference, including a post-event report and video coverage from LT1, are available online.
The next scheduled event related to the initiative has not been publicly announced.
