From rigid production to flexibility: modular robotics grows in EMS

Electronics manufacturers operating in high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) environments need more versatile automation to stay competitive, stated Piotr Owczarek of Fideltronik, Fitech, and AIRob. At the Evertiq Expo Tampere 2026, he outlined how modular robotics and AI-based systems can overcome the limitations of traditional automation. The approach, born from necessity due to rising labor costs, focuses on flexible, modular robotic cells that can handle multiple products within one process, are mobile, and can be configured by process engineers. AI enables adaptability, handling randomly placed components and quality control. While enabling automation of 70-80% of production, Owczarek advocates a balanced approach, as some tasks are still better performed by humans. This modular automation is presented as essential for maintaining efficient production in high-cost regions