What are early automation adopter benefits? Examine State of Automation 2026 analytics, emerging technologies in Control Engineering’s research report.
Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation insights
- Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation report is available.
- Findings include advice and trends related to selecting and applying automation.
- This article includes exclusive Control Engineering 2026 State of Automation survey results.
Learn to be an early adopter of automation and see benefits before your competitors, while avoiding early adopter risks. Those are among insights in the Control Engineering State of Industrial Automation 2026 research report where 12% of survey respondents identify as aggressive early adopters of leading-edge automation technologies.
A sampling of findings follows. Download the full report and other research.
What automation brings success?
The emerging automation technologies critical to success (see graphic), by a large margin, are “advanced process controls, control system optimization (including no-, low-code programming)” at 52% followed by “tools for digitalization, efficiency and regulatory compliance” at 33%. The next five automation technology selections were in a statistical dead heat given the margin of error for the survey:
25% Artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) for predictive maintenance
23% Digital twins for process optimization
22% Advanced robotics for precision tasks
19% 5G networking and connectivity
19% Cloud-based control systems
How to optimize automation ROI
In related findings, automation solutions seen as producing the highest return on investment (ROI) in survey respondents’ operations were 41% for advanced process controls and control system optimization. Next, in a three-way statistical tie, were 26% for operations visibility: Dashboards, multi-level HMI, SCADA systems, 25% for motion control and robotics systems and 24% for advanced quality control systems. Five other automation technologies listed in this question were:
17% Safety for process or machine systems
15% Design, analytics or product life cycle management (PLM) systems
14% Predictive analytics for maintenance
10% Batch, scheduling, manufacturing execution system (MES) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
8% IoT and edge computing platforms.
The top two ways respondents assess ROI of automation technologies were operational efficiency improvements (61%) and reduced downtime or maintenance costs (47%).
Automation upgrades account for 21% or more of annual capital expenditures for 21% of survey respondents. Primary drivers for investments in automation technologies are 70% cost reduction and operational efficiency, 48% enhancing product quality and consistency, 46% increasing workforce productivity and 40% improving safety. Achieve automation upgrade benefits by overcoming top barriers including high implementation costs, integration challenges, workforce skills and cybersecurity concerns, among others.
Report outline for 2026 State of Automation
Think again about applying more automation benefits in 2026; download the full report’s recommendations with intelligence about “How to shape tomorrow with 2026 industrial automation trends and insights.” Report sections with analysis and recommendations are:
- Investment priorities and trends
- Automation adoption and ROI metrics
- Workforce transformations and skills development
- Barriers to automation success
- Drivers of automation investments
- Emerging technologies driving transformation
Find more 2026 advice for automation success from Control Engineering print and digital editions, webcasts, topical eBooks, newsletters, videos and podcasts at www.controleng.com.
Mark T. Hoske is editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, WTWH Media, [email protected].
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