Continue to learn about automation and controls, communicate carefully as part of automation project management, and invest in cybersecurity were among advice from respondents to the 2026 State of Industrial Automation survey.
Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation insights
- Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation report is available. Separate article includes advice from survey respondents.
- Advice topics include automation education, project management, cybersecurity and others.
- This article includes a link to the Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation report.
The State of Industrial Automation research for 2026 asked survey respondents, “What advice would you like to share with peers on these topics?” Sorted into topics, most advice was on continuous learning followed by project management and cybersecurity. Think again about subscribers’ practical automation advice that follows.
Continuous learning about controls, automation
Controls engineers should focus on continuous learning, developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and gaining diverse technical knowledge in areas like networking, scripting, and various automation platforms. Emphasizing clear communication, meticulous documentation and robust testing is also crucial for project success and reliability.
Educate, learn and implement.
I would advise focusing on strengthening your foundational systems before tackling bigger initiatives. Standardize training, document key processes and make work easier and more consistent for operators. Lean out your flow (clean changeovers, clear tooling and strong 6S) before adding new technology. [6S methodology is sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain and safety.] Strengthen supplier communication early for material traceability and compliance, as these demands will only grow. And finally, use real data to guide improvements instead of assumptions. Small, disciplined systems create resilience and help navigate workforce shortages, rising costs and increasing regulatory pressures.
Keep pace with innovations.
Promote and partner with your local tech schools and recruiting agencies to fill in and meet the gaps in the necessary experienced labor skills.
Read instructions.
Train existing personnel and add personnel needed to understand what’s going on and think outside the box.
Automation project management
Don’t rush into too many areas all at once. Make sure you have the right people, tools and materials that will give you “the bang for your bucks” that you must spend in each of these areas.
Involve in-house experts and have them lead the process.
It’s very difficult to communicate technical matters to financial stakeholders.
Make contingency plans.
Rely less on programming.
Strengthen justification for projects.
Cybersecurity
Out sourcing is increasing data breaches. Implement solutions with accountability with severe punishments in hours not days, weeks, months or years.
Security risks include radio frequency identification (RFID), remote monitoring and safety-disruption by lack of response to controls.
The possibility is there for hacking. Staying current is an expense a company needs to stay competitive.
Robotics
In addition to artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, I see humanoid robots becoming a reality in manufacturing in the next 5 years. I would like to implement humanoid robots as soon as possible to be on the leading edge of this space.
Engineering logistics
Self-destructive practices by China will continue to impair its own homegrown industries (like magnetics and rare earth mining/separation) and force the acceleration of development and growth in U.S.-based suppliers.
Mark T. Hoske is editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, WTWH Media, [email protected].
Keywords
State of Automation research, automation optimization
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