Professionals from the industrial engineering industry in Munich have an excellent avenue to get together and pursue first-rate business opportunity whenever automatica opens its doors. The trade fair ranks high globally in the automation and robotics, and commands a sizeable community of 40,000 visitors from approximately 88 countries. On average, 650 exhibitors outline the future of engineering and mechanical processes. Historically viewed as job threats, robots are now considered vital solutions to the widespread skill shortages that are impacting various sectors. A notable example from the fair was the baking robot presented by FANUC, which is designed to automate repetitive tasks in industrial bakeries and supermarkets. An added benefit is the positive effect on sustainability goals. Automation is a crucial tool for reducing CO2 emissions in production, especially when it comes to recycling and circular economy principles. For instance, assembly and handling technologies demonstrated just how efficient recycling can become. The use of software-based simulations to plan and optimize complex automation solutions before implementation was also highlighted. The industrial engineering industry in Munich gains access to some cutting-edge innovations in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which was a dominant theme at automatica 2023, given its rapid advancements and significant impact on the automation sector. Companies like NEURA, a newcomer and AI pioneer, showcased cutting-edge technologies that are setting new standards in robotics. The co-location of automatica with LASER World of PHOTONICS and World of QUANTUM added substantial value for participants. This synergy allowed attendees to explore intersecting innovations across automation, photonics, and quantum technologies, broadening the scope of industrial applications and collaborative opportunities. Forums and special shows provided visitors with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and engage with emerging trends. Notable highlights included the Service Robot City and Mobile Robots in Production showcases, which illustrated practical applications of robotics in everyday and industrial contexts.