In recent years, manufacturing companies have increasingly been swapping manually performed, dated processes on their shop floor for automation and robotics. As new advancements in automation are made, this gradual shift in manufacturing will continue. But where will the automation industry feel the biggest impact in 2025? Well, Mission Design & Automation CEO Scot Lindemann recently addressed this question as a panelist on the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) webinar, “2025 Industrial Automation Trends: What to Expect in the Coming Year.”

Hosted by Jim Beretta, President of Customer Attraction and host of the A3 Robot Industry Podcast, the streaming event addressed the current state of the automation industry and predictions for upcoming industry trends in 2025.

In addition to Scot Lindemann, the episode also featured insight from:

 

A3 Webinar Trends in Automation

Simpler Tools – More Complex Automation

FANUC LR Mate robotAutomation has become more and more approachable as the years have gone on, with a wide variety of business types looking into automated solutions. During the live webinar, Beretta posed the question: is automation getting simpler?

In response, Lindemann shared that while the tools within the industry are getting easier to use, the capabilities of automation are getting more complex. Project teams are now able to design and build machines to solve what was once thought to be unsolvable, with more efficient practices than used in the past.

He referenced the change in CAD tools, stating that five to ten years ago, if you needed to download a CAD file, it was a multi-step process that involved multiple configurations and contacting numerous support personnel. Nowadays, an engineer can directly download a native CAD file in whichever format is needed. The result? A time save that allows for more time spent doing what is important: keeping the ball rolling on current projects and creating new solutions for the customer.

“The question about ‘simpler’ comes down to ease-of-use. If you go into the software side of things, which is another important part of what simplification means: the ease-of-use, the ease-of-implementation, and how quickly you can get something set up and get a really robust solution [is invaluable],” Lindemann said. “The software is a big part of that, and the software technology curve just continues to grow at an accelerated rate.”

Current Automation Trends

The panel also explored the most significant trends shaping the automation industry and what businesses can anticipate in 2025. Key highlights included:

  • Once unsolvable problems now having a solution due to advancing technologies and simpler-to-use tools.
  • Increased flexibility and security in data management.
  • More first-time automation adopters, and with that, more education surrounding automation.
  • Manufacturers, suppliers, and integrators alike embracing a worldwide sourcing environment, allowing for quicker project timelines.
  • Data integration has evolved from being an optional add-on to a standard feature in most automation solutions.
  • Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are increasingly being used for material transfer, freeing up workers on the floor to take on more strategic, safer, and fulfilling roles.
  • New markets investing in automation due to labor shortages.

 

The Future of Automation

The team at Mission Design & Automation is excited about the evolution of the industry, and we’re looking forward to creating great solutions to support your business.

Have 2025 production goals you need help meeting? Contact Mission to get started on improving your processes with automation. Whether it’s standing up a small operator station or integrating a fully automated robotic line, our innovative team of automation experts will come along side you to develop a custom solution that fits your unique manufacturing needs.