Kuka
Application phase for Innovation Award 2026 begins
How can robotics help to make packaging more sustainable? Kuka is looking for creative and innovative ideas in the new round of the Innovation Award.
The packaging industry is changing: the new EU packaging regulation and changing demands for efficiency and sustainability mean considerable changes for companies. This change can only succeed with modern concepts and solutions. That is why the motto of the'Kuka Innovation Award 2026' is 'Circular Packaging Challenge'.
"New technologies around robotics and artificial intelligence are opening up countless opportunities for the packaging industry, whether it's recycling or waste prevention, or completely redesigning the entire packaging process," says Volker Schmirgel, Head of the Kuka Innovation and Technology Center. "We are looking for bright minds and young talents who can take a look into the future and present us with their ideas on how robots can be used in the packaging of consumer goods." We are looking for ideas along the entire life cycle, from the packaging of products in production to the recycling process.
Teams from all over the world can apply with their ideas until the end of August. An international jury will select the best concepts. These final teams can turn their ideas into reality with a Kuka robot provided free of charge, which can be expanded with a 'Roboception' 3D vision system and Kuka software. In addition, experts will accompany the finalists during implementation. The final teams will present their applications to an international trade audience at the 'interpack' packaging trade fair in May 2026. There, the jury will select the winner of the Innovation Award, which is endowed with 20,000 euros. The Innovation Award is aimed at developers, graduates and research teams from companies or universities.
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