Header: Deutsche Messe
The 2026 edition of HANNOVER MESSE, a leading fair for industrial technology and innovation, will run in Hannover from April 20 to 24, 2026. Brazil has the honour of being a partner country for the upcoming fair, with Brazilian President Lula da Silva set to inaugurate the event alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Main exhibitions and a new exhibition format
The main exhibition areas are dedicated to Energy & Industrial Infrastructure, Automation & Digitalisation, and Research & Technology Transfer. Energy & Industrial Infrastructure will host exhibitors who work in the fields of Hydrogen Technologies, Energy Infrastructure & Storage Technologies, and Power Engineering & Energy Automation. Automation & Digitalisation will feature a new format – the Defence Production Area, in Hall 26. The area will present solutions spanning from automation and additive production to innovative materials and digitalisation. In the neighbouring hall, the segments are dedicated to robotics, logistics, IT/OT security, IIoT, and Wireless & Cloud.
The Research & Technology Transfer sector will host over 200 exhibitors at Hall 11. Here, universities, entrepreneurs, and young companies will showcase their projects, innovations, and prototypes within two focal sections: Start-ups and Research & Technology. Artificial intelligence will serve as a common thread throughout the fair.
Hermes Award, Robotics Award, and Engineer Woman Awards
Products, solutions, and technological innovations exhibited at HANNOVER MESSE are eligible for the Hermes Award that rewards maturity in application and innovation. The award comes with a 100,000 euros PR package. HERMES Star-Up AWARD honours young companies with a life span of five years or less. The application deadline is February 15, which is also the deadline for the Engineer Woman Award 2026 and the Young Engineer Woman Award 2026. The awards celebrate women in STEM and women under 30 who stand out due to their commitment and achievements. The presentation of awards will be held during the FEMWORX career congress on April 23 and 24, 2024.
THE ROBOTICS AWARD 2026 will be presented during the fair, and the jury panel has already announced the finalists in January. Fraunhofer IFAM is nominated for Machine Tool Robot, the pioneering milling kinematic system; GoodBytz’s automated kitchen system for AI-powered preparation of individual meals, and Robust AI Carter’s collaborative autonomous warehouse robot are all in the running for the prestigious award. The prize includes an exhibition space in the Application Park and a speaking slot at the Spotlight Stage, and will be presented on February 25, 2026.
Application Park
Hannover Messe Application Park will focus on AI-based perception systems, humanoid robots, and autonomous mobile manipulators. Duatic AG from Switzerland will present a vision-enabled semi-humanoid robot tailored for heavy-duty cycles. DENSO Robotics will showcase its transformation from four-axis robots to five- and six-axis robots, characterised by precision and speed. The company will present the SCARA series of automation solutions, which offers short cycle times for demanding pick-and-place applications.
Hannover Messe Talks
Hannover Messe brings around 130,000 visitors every year. The Centre Stage will host around 80 internationally recognised speakers, including scientists, pioneers, company leaders, and politicians who contributed to the development of innovations and industrial production. So far, the announced speakers include Siemens’ Executive Board Member Cedrik Neike, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, and Amy Webb, CEO of Future Today Institute.
Over 4,000 companies will gather to present leading technologies in the industry of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, digital, and energy sectors. Focused on innovation and trade, the fair connects companies with decision-makers and byers thus creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem.
