The findings come from “The Global State of Operational Security 2026: Protecting Operations Evolves as a Core Business Capability”, a survey of 2000 business and technology leaders whose organisations manage CPS, including 200 in the UK. The research shows UK organisations are more exposed than their global peers, feel the impact in business terms, and face the twin pressures of legacy technology and fast-moving regulation. 

When incidents happen, UK organisations feel it where it hurts, with 38% of those affected reporting reputational damage from their most significant incident – the highest of any market surveyed and above the global average (30%). UK organisations also reported financial loss (42% vs 35% globally), operational downtime (49% vs 43%) and regulatory scrutiny (36% vs 30%) more often than their global peers. 

The threat UK leaders rank highest is disruption that starts in IT and spills into operational systems (44% vs 37% globally). Ransomware remains a bigger concern in the UK than globally (35% vs 27%), sitting level with AI-powered attacks (36%). 

Nearly half (48%) of UK organisations say the CIO is ultimately accountable for operational security, compared with 39% globally, and UK CIOs are also more likely to control the budget (36% vs 28%). Yet only 14% of UK organisations have fully integrated IT and operational security governance. 

Confidence in recovery is also shallow. While most UK leaders believe their operations are covered by business continuity and disaster recovery plans, only one in five (19%) is very confident – despite two-thirds having already been hit. 

Legacy systems are the single biggest barrier to full compliance for UK organisations (31% vs 26% globally), and UK leaders are more likely to rank vulnerable legacy OT among their top threats (28% vs 21%). 

Nearly half (47%) say keeping up with evolving regulations, mandates and frameworks is a top compliance challenge, the joint highest of all markets surveyed. Regulation is also a stronger driver of operational security investment in the UK than globally (32% vs 26%). 

Three-quarters (74%) of UK organisations are using AI in operational environments, and the same proportion are investing in AI-powered security to counter AI-powered attacks (68% globally). More than half (56%) say AI has improved operational efficiency (48% globally), but 41% say it has introduced new cybersecurity, compliance or operational risks. 

“UK organisations are being hit more often than their global peers, and they’re feeling it in their reputation, their revenue and their relationship with regulators,” said Nick Haan, Field CTO at Claroty. “Attacks that start in IT are spilling into the systems that keep production lines, hospitals and utilities running. CIOs have taken on responsibility for protecting those operations, but too few organisations have joined up how they govern IT and operational security. With legacy systems that can’t simply be patched and regulation that keeps moving, UK boards need to treat operational resilience as a core business capability – one they own, fund and regularly test.” 

The report recommends that organisations bridge the IT/OT governance divide, mandate strict third-party access controls and monitoring, modernise business continuity plans for operations, and secure AI adoption. 

To learn more, download the full report: “The Global State of Operational Security 2026: Protecting Operations Evolves as a Core Business Capability”. 

The investment accompanies a strategic collaboration focused on integrating Teradyne robotics and test technologies with Bright Machines’ software-defined manufacturing platform and advancing AI infrastructure manufacturing.

AI infrastructure is driving one of the largest electronics manufacturing buildouts in recent history. As hyperscalers, AI laboratories, silicon providers, and OEMs invest in next-generation compute, manufacturing has become a determinant of deployment speed, quality, and economic value, and manufacturers place a premium on lines that can be reconfigured in software as product designs refresh.

Teradyne works with manufacturers across that ecosystem, including EMS and ODM providers, OEMs, and hyperscalers, supplying the robotics and test technologies that make high-mix, high-value electronics production possible. Bright Machines brings a unique software-defined manufacturing platform spanning design, robotics, automation, inspection, material movement, production intelligence, and operations, with a history of more than 130 microfactory deployments across 10+ countries and, today, active AI infrastructure production in the United States.

"Physical AI is changing what is possible on the factory floor, and Teradyne and Bright Machines are partnering to accelerate this evolution," said Shantnu Sharma, chief development officer, Teradyne. "The combination of Bright Machines depth in software-defined manufacturing, and Teradyne’s decades of experience in robotics and test gives companies building AI infrastructure a faster path from design into production, with data behind every unit they build."

The companies intend to evaluate integrating Teradyne technologies into Bright Machines manufacturing environments, including precision robotic assembly, robotic loading and unloading of test equipment, and autonomous movement of materials across the factory.

The central idea behind the partnership is deployment at Bright Machines’ and customers’ own sites, where the Bright Machines manufacturing platform, Universal Robots collaborative robots, and Teradyne board test systems would operate together on a production floor. Each produces a distinct stream of information: assembly and inspection data, robot and material-movement data, and electrical test results. By connecting these data streams with Bright Machines’ product genealogy and manufacturing intelligence capabilities, customers can maintain an end-to-end production data thread linking design decisions, assembly execution, and electrical performance.

“What limits automation today is not what a robot can physically do but how much engineering it takes to tell it what to do,” said James Davidson, chief AI officer, Teradyne. “When a robot can pick up a new task in hours instead of being re-engineered over weeks, high-mix, short lifecycle production becomes the default. Once build data and test data sit in the same loop, the line can correct itself quickly.”

“The next generation of AI infrastructure calls for a manufacturing approach that is more automated, software-defined, data-driven, and responsive to change,” said Sviat Dulianinov, chief executive officer, Bright Machines. “Teradyne's expertise, and the investment that comes with it, helps us validate that approach. Their robotics and test technologies are complementary to our platform, and together we can help customers simplify integration, accelerate deployment, and maintain a complete production data thread.”

“Manufacturing is where AI becomes physical,” said Lior Susan, founder and CEO of Eclipse and co-founder and chairman of Bright Machines. “The AI buildout will be won by companies that can turn increasingly complex hardware into production quickly, reliably, and at scale. Teradyne brings decades of leadership in robotics and test, making them a powerful partner as Bright Machines builds the manufacturing infrastructure for the AI era.”

AI infrastructure manufacturing is demanding: product complexity is high, design cycles are short, quality requirements are stringent, and schedules leave little room for rework. Manufacturers serving this market increasingly value an integrated approach spanning manufacturing design, intelligent robotics, autonomous material movement and inspection, and end-to-end production intelligence, delivered as one coordinated system. Together, Bright Machines' software-defined manufacturing platform and Teradyne's robotics and test portfolio aim to bring these pieces together to lead AI infrastructure buildouts.

www.teradyne.com

Two new ESTUN robots were delivered to ENCY Software's R&D centre in Cyprus for integration and testing. The development team completed the integration work and developed the dedicated drivers and post-processors needed to drive these machines directly from ENCY. The joint development work also covered a convenient, end-to-end solution built specifically around the real-world manufacturing tasks that ESTUN robot users face across Europe – from machining, welding, grinding, polishing and deburring to additive processes, all in one natural workflow.

The first results are already available. Digital twins of ESTUN robots and cobots are live in the ENCY component library, complete with full simulation, and the first customer is already using ENCY to program an ESTUN robot in production.

For ESTUN, the collaboration with ENCY is part of a wider push into the European market, where demanding manufacturers expect robots to arrive with mature, easy-to-use programming software.

“Europe is home to some of the world’s most demanding automation customers, and that is exactly why we are here,” said Dmitry Kapishnikov, executive VP Europe and CEO Iberia at ESTUN. “To succeed in this market, strong hardware and advanced robot software must be supported by a broad ecosystem of specialized solutions. ENCY brings valuable expertise in offline programming, simulation and manufacturing software, complementing ESTUN’s existing capabilities and helping our customers integrate robots into their production processes more efficiently. This makes ENCY a strong partner as we continue to expand our global robotics business.”

“We have already developed post-processors and drivers for the core models in ESTUN’s cobot and industrial robot ranges,” said Andrei Kharatsidi, director of ENCY Software. “With this technical foundation in place, we are ready to take our cooperation with ESTUN to the next level.”

The development and testing program at ENCY's R&D centre in Cyprus has been completed, including validation on real ESTUN hardware. With digital twins live, drivers and post-processors completed, and the first customer already using ENCY in production, ENCY and ESTUN are laying the groundwork for a robust integrated offering for the European robotics market.

encycam.com

The manufacturing sector is also showing a growing appetite to explore and invest in the technology. Research from Make UK found that 75% of manufacturers planned to increase their investment in AI over the following year, while 85% said AI and machine learning were already having either some or a significant impact on their businesses.

However, translating that interest into widespread operational use remains a challenge. The latest Make UK research found that fewer than 40% of manufacturers are currently using AI in some areas, with just 2% saying it is widely embedded across their operations. Government research has similarly found that just 8% of manufacturers surveyed had successfully introduced AI and machine learning into their businesses.

Against this backdrop, North Yorkshire steelwork manufacturer Tadweld has begun an AI project through Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber's Intensive Technical Support programme, exploring how the technology could deliver practical improvements across its operations.

The move reflects a wider challenge facing manufacturers across the UK: moving from recognising the potential of AI to understanding where it can deliver measurable value in real-world industrial environments.

Make UK's latest research also found that AI adoption in manufacturing remains concentrated in back-office functions, with 83% of manufacturers using AI in areas such as HR, finance and administration. Use in core operational areas remains considerably lower, with 11% using AI in production, 7% in supply chain and 6% in quality control.

The findings suggest that manufacturers are increasingly aware of what AI could offer, but many are still working out how to apply it effectively within their own operations.

The UK Government's Technology Adoption Review highlights several of the practical barriers involved, including a lack of specialist skills, cyber security concerns and the challenges of integrating new technologies with legacy systems in factories. Its findings also point to a gap between the UK's strength in developing new technologies and the extent to which those technologies are adopted across businesses.

For Tadweld, the project is a natural extension of a long-standing commitment to innovation and positive change.

Chris Houston, managing director at Tadweld, said: “This is an exciting milestone for Tadweld and a strong reflection of the culture we are building across the business. There is often a misconception that long-standing manufacturers and family-run businesses aren’t willing to move with the times, but at Tadweld, innovation is one of our three core values.

“It means continually looking for better ways to work, supporting our people and strengthening the service we provide to our customers.

“AI has the potential to help manufacturers unlock significant improvements, but it needs to be introduced thoughtfully and with a clear commercial purpose. Through Made Smarter Yorkshire and Orah AI Consultancy, we will be able to identify where the technology can deliver genuine value and begin building the knowledge and confidence needed to use it effectively.

“We are proud to be the first manufacturer in North Yorkshire to begin this type of support through the programme, and we hope our experience will encourage other manufacturers to explore what AI could mean for their own businesses.”

Mike Pennington, business relationship manager for Made Smarter in York & North Yorkshire, said: “Tadweld is a fantastic example of a forward-thinking manufacturer taking a practical and considered approach to digital transformation.

“As the first business in North Yorkshire to commence AI Intensive Technical Support through Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber, Tadweld is helping to demonstrate how emerging technology can be translated into meaningful improvements on the factory floor and across wider business operations.”

http://www.tadweld.co.uk

The company offers two schemes to help customers generate cash from old or faulty industrial electronics that might otherwise be discarded. The ‘cashback’ option enables existing JC-Electronics customers to trade in their old parts against a quality, refurbished equivalent which they purchase through the company’s web shop or sales team ([email protected]). They then simply send in the faulty product within four weeks, and a credit is applied against their account.

A second option is to sell surplus or defective industrial electronics, for example because of overstocking or following an upgrade of a production line, to JC-Electronics for their market value. The company accepts non-functioning drives, HMIs and PLCs from a wide range of manufacturers including Siemens, Schneider Electric, Lenze, Fanuc, ABB and Allen-Bradley to name a few.

In either scenario, the customer can earn revenue from an otherwise scrapped product or, can organise for the faulty part to be repaired to the highest standard and returned as a stocked spare.

Dan Jones, UK buyer at JC-Electronics explained: “Production uptime relies on critical components performing reliably, but it is inevitable that parts will eventually fail or reach the end of their lifecycle and become obsolete. In either scenario, operators need new parts fast and often turn to professional refurbishers to source a replacement.

“On rare occasions, the original industrial electronic may be repaired quickly enough to be returned and re-installed before downtime becomes an issue, but more often, a replacement part is sourced, and the original, defective part is simply discarded.

“That is why we are urging manufacturers to send their faulty parts to JC-Electronics for repair. This will not only generate income but also keep valuable industrial electronics and components in the supply chain and help to reduce waste and the consumption of valuable resources.”

It is also important to work with a quality industrial electronics refurbisher, such as JC-Electronics to ensure that any repairs are carried out to the highest standards. A reputable provider should take a systematic approach that involves thorough cleaning, comprehensive fault diagnosis, replacement of wear-prone components, and extensive testing before recertification including:
 
1.     Extending asset lifecycles far beyond manufacturer-suggested timeframes
2.     Avoiding costly and disruptive system-wide upgrades when only a single component has failed
3.     Maintaining operational continuity with minimal downtime
4.     Reducing environmental impact through resource conservation and waste reduction
5.     Preserving institutional knowledge about legacy systems
6.     Implementing predictive replacement strategies that prevent unexpected failure
7.     Building supply chain resilience against disruptions and shortages
8.     Meeting increasingly stringent sustainability requirements and reporting obligations
 
This will provide reassurance that the refurbishment process is rigorous, and when backed with certifications, customers are assured of objective validation of refurbishment standards.

JC-Electronics holds several international accreditations for quality, environmental management, and circularity. These include the ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems, ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management, and the RecQ Label - a European label verifying circularity and reliability in refurbished electronics.

www.jc-electronics.com

The technology was awarded Best Cross Sector Technology by Game Changers, the nuclear innovation initiative sponsored by Sellafield, in recognition of the engineering team’s achievements in addressing the challenges in nuclear decommissioning.

The snake robot technology has been adapted to be applied to radiation surveys in nuclear hot cells.  Four of these robots have been deployed, contributing to an estimated £5 million in savings for the nuclear industry over the past two years.

The robot is a flexible inspection tool capable of navigating confined and hazardous spaces. It is equipped with cameras, LED lighting, and radiation dosimeters, measuring from 4mm to 40mm in diameter and usually stretching from 3m to 10m in length. It collects vital visual and radiometric data from areas inaccessible to humans. The robot is paving the way for safer and more efficient nuclear decommissioning operations. 

One of the sites it has been used on is Dounreay in Scotland, where it has been adapted to fit through a 30mm gap to investigate a containment-shielded cell. The snake robot is currently undergoing testing at other nuclear sites across the UK to support the sector with radiation surveys.

Dr Xin Dong, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, has been involved in the development of snake robots for 14 years. He explains: "The snake robots are controlled like a puppet on wires with a lot of joints, with cables, and you pull to change the orientation. Instead of hands, we can use motors and computers to control snake robots.

“We’re delighted to be recognised for the impact this technology is making in the Nuclear industry, and we hope over the next few years to enable further benefits.”

Alasdair Cairns, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham said: “This award is a tremendous recognition of Dr Xin Dong and his team’s ability to translate world leading engineering research into solutions with substantial real-world impact. The “snake robot” technology builds on many years of pioneering research in robotics, advanced manufacturing and remote inspection based in our Advanced Manufacturing Building. Its successful transfer into nuclear decommissioning, where four robots have already helped deliver an estimated £5 million in industry savings, demonstrates the exceptional value of sustained investment in research capability, facilities and people. It is an excellent example of how Engineering at Nottingham works across traditional sector boundaries to address complex industrial challenges and deliver tangible benefits for the UK.”

www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/

TrinaTracker is evolving from a tracking system equipment supplier into a smart PV and robotics solution provider. By integrating high-reliability trackers, AI algorithms, installation and cleaning robots, and engineering and intelligent operations services, the company delivers a full lifecycle solution for PV power plants by optimising plant design, improving construction and O&M quality, and reducing operational costs.  

Large-scale PV projects have traditionally relied heavily on manual module installation, resulting in high labour requirements, long construction cycles, higher costs, inconsistent installation precision and safety risks,all of which can hinder standardised deployment. BUILDEX is reported to reshape PV construction through automated, standardised and intelligent workflows.  

Powered by high-precision AI vision positioning and integrated precision mechanical control systems, BUILDEX autonomously completes module picking, transportation, alignment and placement. It adapts to complex terrain and diverse tracker layouts, reducing labour intensity and safety risks while improving installation accuracy and delivery speed for utility-scale PV projects.

Equipped with industrial 3D cameras and AI vision algorithms, the robot identifies modules and structures to achieve millimetre-accurate alignment and standardised laying. A LiDAR-AI multi-sensing safety system mitigates on-site risks.  

The robot installs up to 90 modules per hour, three-to-four times faster than manual labour. Its innovative fork-and-flip mechanism supports automatic feeding and is compatible with both landscape and portrait mounting, streamlining material handling and site schedules. The height-adjustable robotic base works with fixed and tracking brackets as well as modules in 1P/2P tracker scenarios. With 17° platform levelling capability, it operates reliably on sloped land and expands viable construction scenarios.  Designed for continuous operation, BUILDEX can help shorten installation cycles, reduce labour requirements and lower overall construction costs. 

PV cleaning robot

PV plants operate under harsh outdoor conditions. Dust and stains on module surfaces block sunlight and reduce power generation, undermining long-term plant revenue. Conventional manual cleaning is constrained by terrain, weather, labour and safety risks, making consistent cleaning across large-scale PV plants challenging. AURORA delivers automated, non-damaging and intelligent cleaning to maintain module cleanliness, support energy yield and reduce long-term O&M costs. 

Powered by high-performance hardware and proprietary self-correction algorithms, AURORA overcomes height offsets of up to 50 mm to sustain continuous cleaning on complex sites.  Drawing real-time data from the plant, trackers and environmental sensors, it generates optimal cleaning plans and takes proactive safety measures. Powered by PV modules with self-cleaning functions, it performs unattended cyclic cleaning, reducing routine management workload and expenses. 

Combining AI and robotics

TrinaTracker’s investment in AI and robotics goes beyond hardware development, representing a strategic expansion of its full-stack “Tracker+” smart energy ecosystem. AI serves as the digital brain for robotic hardware, connecting construction automation and routine O&M. Physical PV assets are coupled with digital twins to help plant owners lower LCOE and maximise asset value. 

Global operational data from TrinaTracker’s worldwide portfolio fuels continuous AI algorithm optimisation, equipping its robots with strong adaptability for complex terrain, extreme weather and dynamic structural conditions. Robot data integrates with Trina’s digital platform to create a new model of fully automated, intelligent PV plant management. 

 “The launch of BUILDEX and AURORA robots represents an important step in how we are evolving TrinaTracker beyond tracking hardware towards a more intelligent, integrated approach to utility-scale solar,” said Gonzalo Baselga, head of TrinaTracker Europe. “By bringing together trackers, AI, robotics and digital capabilities, we can address challenges across the full lifecycle of a PV plant – from construction through to long-term operation. For our customers in Europe, the goal is clear: greater efficiency, lower LCOE and OPEX, stronger asset performance and comprehensive local support.” 

pages.trinasolar.com/TrinaTracker

The trial, in partnership with Japan-based Refined Robotics, will explore how advanced robotics can support couriers, enhance customer choice and help shape the future of parcel delivery. With the UK having the third largest ecommerce market in the world after China and the US, Barnsley as the UK’s Tech Town has been identified as a priority location for the trial.

The initiative forms part of Evri's continued investment in innovation and technology as the business explores new ways to provide customers with greater flexibility and convenience in how they send, receive and return parcels. The trial will assess how advanced robotics could complement Evri's existing delivery network and support its mission to be the most convenient way to send, receive and return parcels.

The two-legged robot has been designed specifically for outdoor last-mile deliveries. It can carry parcels weighing up to 15kg, travel at speeds of up to 6km/h and navigate real-world environments that can be challenging for traditional autonomous technologies, including climbing stairs, traversing uneven surfaces and entering and exiting delivery vans.

The robot can operate autonomously or be remotely monitored and is capable of both attended and unattended deliveries to help ensure consumers never miss a parcel. Throughout the trial, Evri will evaluate how the technology performs in residential environments and how it could support operational efficiency while maintaining the high levels of service customers expect.

The project builds on Evri's long-standing commitment to giving customers more choice and control over how they receive parcels. Today, customers can choose from home delivery, ParcelShops, lockers, safe places and neighbour delivery options, as well as set and save delivery preferences that fit around their lifestyles. Insights gathered from the trial will help Evri explore how emerging technologies could further enhance convenience and flexibility in the future.

Building on its status as the UK's first government-backed Tech Town, the trial reinforces Barnsley's reputation as a leading destination for practical innovation.

"At Evri, we're focused on giving customers more choice, convenience and control over how they receive their parcels. As the UK's leading parcel delivery company for delivery choice, we're continually exploring new technologies that can help us deliver even greater flexibility while maintaining the high-quality service our customers expect, comments Marcus Hunter, chief technology officer at Evri Group.

"Launching Europe's first trial of a two-legged delivery robot in Barnsley is an exciting milestone. Barnsley has built a reputation as a place where innovation thrives and new technologies can be tested in real-world environments. Our couriers remain at the heart of our business. We’re committed to exploring how innovation can support them, improve operational efficiency and help us continue offering customers even more choice, convenience and control in the future."

www.evri.com/news-and-corporate

The acquisition will expand Eaton's European power distribution capabilities and manufacturing footprint, enhancing its ability to support growing customer demand across data center and utility markets.  

“COL Group brings complementary technologies, manufacturing capabilities and engineering expertise that will further strengthen Eaton's European power distribution platform,” said Omar Zaire, president, EMEA Region, Corporate and Electrical Sector, Eaton (pictured). “The acquisition will enhance our ability to support utility and data centre customers' increasing need for resilient, sustainable power infrastructure and integrated grid-to-chip power solutions.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Eaton will pay €810 million. COL Group has forecasted sales of €250 million for 2027.

COL Group is an industrial group with over a century of experience specialising in the development of electrical power distribution solutions. The company has approximately 400 employees and facilities in Turin, Milan, Bergamo, and Catania, Italy.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.   

www.eaton.com

Getting up from a chair is an action that most of us don’t really think about. The movement is almost second nature. Our legs and hips work together in a precise sequence. If a robot-assisted suit is going to support part of this effort for a person, it has to respond intuitively and synchronously to the body's movements.

"We use machine learning to provide the user with the necessary assistance at exactly the right moment,” says researcher Dr. Xiaohui Zhang from the chair of Intelligent Bio-Robotic Systems of the TUM School of Computation, information and Technology. To build this recognition system and to train the algorithm, the researchers first collected movement data from a group of young, healthy individuals. As more usage data becomes available, the researchers can further refine the system.

The robotic system can be put on and taken off like a suit in just a few minutes. It has two thigh straps, a waist belt, and artificial tendons connected to a small motor unit worn on the back, almost like a backpack. Two sensors on the thighs measure the kinematics of the legs. When the system recognises that the wearer is standing up or walking, the motor pulls on the tendons and provides support at the hip.

“The sensors detect the user's movement in real time and send this information to the controller, which then guides the motor to provide assistance to the user,” explains Zhang

Ten older adults with reduced lower-limb functional performance tested the exosuit as part of the scientific study. They were between 69 and 85 years old. By that age, a person may have stood up from a chair well over a million times in daily life. But with age, this simple movement can become more difficult.

With the exosuit's assistance, standing up became easier: some participants achieved up to four additional sit-and-stand cycles in one minute, with cycle duration shortened by up to 21.9%. On average, participants in the experimental group completed 18 cycles per minute, or two more cycles per minute than before. Walking also became more efficient, with the largest individual reduction in metabolic cost reaching 27.5% and an average improvement of 14%. The participants’ subjective impressions were also positive: despite wearing a robotic assistive suit as a technical aid, they still felt in control of their own movements.

“On a 7-point scale, they rated their sense of personal agency at more than 6, indicating a high degree of perceived autonomy,” Zhang says. “It’s rewarding to see that our algorithms can actually help people in their daily lives.”

“People who tried on our robotic suit didn’t find it intrusive and found that it could be comfortably worn over normal clothing,” notes Prof. Lorenzo Masia, executive director of the TUM MIRMI Robotics Institute and head of the Chair of Intelligent Bio-Robotic Systems. The exosuit is intended to support older adults who want to remain independent for longer, as well as people undergoing rehabilitation.

www.mirmi.tum.de