Shaping the Future Together
At the 2026 Hannover Messe in Hall 16, Booth B10/1, W. Gessmann GmbH, together with Wandelbots, will present a new software-defined approach to industrial automation. The focus is on how heterogeneous robot fleets can be efficiently coordinated and integrated into existing production and intralogistics environments.
For the first time, an end-to-end solution is being introduced that integrates the planning, simulation, and operation of robotic systems. At its core is the Wandelbots NOVA platform, which is integrated directly into Gessmann’s mobile robot systems as “NOVA Inside.” This approach is complemented by technologies such as NVIDIA Omniverse and NVIDIA Isaac Sim, which enable realistic simulation and validation of automation scenarios.
„Together, these integrated solutions make it possible to design, simulate, deploy, and scale automation solutions much more quickly. This reduces integration effort, shortens the payback period, and avoids vendor lock-in in complex brownfield environments,“ explains Steffen Kuhnle, Head of the Robotics Division at Gessmann.
Innovation Based on Experience: Robotics Solutions for Real-World Applications
„For nearly a century, our company has been developing human-machine interface (HMI) systems for demanding applications. This practical focus also shapes our robotics solutions,“ adds Kuhnle, continuing: „Our GESSbot was designed specifically for real-world use and tested in our own existing production environments. Extensions such as coordinated multi-robot systems—like our new GESSbot Duo—highlight our focus on the interaction of multiple systems in day-to-day operations.“
The key challenge of modern automation lies less in individual robots than in their integration. Different systems each have their own logic, which creates complexity and interdependencies. „This is exactly where our collaboration with Wandelbots comes in. The NOVA platform creates a vendor-neutral software layer through which different types of robots can be programmed and orchestrated. This results in a unified system rather than isolated individual solutions,“ explains Martin Wanitschke, Chief of Staff at Wandelbots.
This approach offers clear advantages, particularly for brownfield environments. Existing production and logistics systems can continue to be used and can be expanded in a targeted manner without the need for extensive retrofitting. The combination of GESSbot and the NOVA platform enables the modular integration of new robotic solutions into existing infrastructures.
Thanks to its vendor-neutral software architecture, different types of robots can be operated via a unified control and orchestration layer. This reduces integration complexity and simplifies the integration of additional systems. At the same time, the platform supports the standardization of workflows and their use across multiple locations.
From a technical standpoint, users benefit from a clearly separated architecture comprising development, simulation, and execution. Automation processes can be created and tested centrally and then transferred directly to the operational environment. Combined with simulation-based methods, this results in a consistent engineering approach that shortens planning times, ensures successful commissioning, and facilitates the scaling of automation solutions.
This solution will be on display for the first time at the 2026 Hannover Messe in Hall 16, Booth B10/1, from April 20 to April 24, 2026. At the booth, trade visitors will gain practical insight into the next level of shop floor automation and learn specific approaches for integrating different systems into a high-performance overall system.
About W. Gessmann GmbH
For over 95 years, Gessmann has been developing and manufacturing technically sophisticated products at its two locations in Leingarten and Schwaigern and delivering customized solutions for its customers. Thanks to its extensive expertise and service, the company meets complex requirements and customer-specific requests, always guaranteeing optimal results. With a broad range of HMI solutions and approximately 1,000 employees worldwide, Gessmann specifically addresses the needs of its customers. The use of advanced technologies, such as automated guided vehicles and collaborative robots, increases their efficiency.
About Wandelbots
Wandelbots is a DeepTech company focused on Physical AI, based in Dresden and Chicago, that is fundamentally rethinking industrial automation. Its software-centric, vendor-neutral approach simplifies and democratizes the programming of complex industrial robots, making them intuitive to control. Wandelbots helps companies automate faster and reliably scale global operations, while drastically reducing implementation times and costs.
For more information, visit www.wandelbots.com.
