Total Automated Solutions provides industrial automation, control systems, electrical engineering and systems integration services to customers across the UK. Its new robotics rental model addresses one of the main barriers to robotic adoption: the uncertainty surrounding whether a proposed solution will deliver the required improvements in productivity, quality, safety and operating costs.

Through the service, manufacturers can rent a configured robotic solution for an agreed trial period, typically between two and six months. The system can be installed at the customer’s production facility or tested at the company workshop, depending on the application and operational requirements.

Total Automated Solutions engineers assess the process, configure and programme the robot, and integrate the necessary grippers, guarding and safety systems. This allows the customer to evaluate the solution using real products, production conditions, and performance data.

Potential applications include:

• Repetitive product handling
• Pick-and-place operations
• Machine loading and unloading
• Packing and palletising
• Process support
• Tasks presenting ergonomic or safety risks
• Production bottlenecks and labour-intensive operations.

Kevin Chapman, owner and managing director at Total Automated Solutions responsible for robotics rental said: “Many manufacturers understand the potential benefits of robotics but need greater certainty before committing significant capital. A concept may appear viable on paper, but the real test is how it performs within the production environment. Our Proof-of-Concept Rental Service gives manufacturers the opportunity to test the technology, measure the results and build a robust business case. It turns automation from a theoretical proposal into a practical, evidence-based investment decision.”

The service is particularly relevant to small and medium-sized manufacturers seeking to modernise production while controlling financial and operational risk. It also allows engineering and production teams to understand how robotics could affect throughput, product quality, workforce deployment, and existing processes before progressing to a permanent installation.

At the end of the trial, the customer can use the results to decide whether to purchase the robotic system, proceed with a fully engineered production cell or reconsider the proposed application. Where the trial proves successful, Total Automated Solutions can support the transition from proof of concept to permanent implementation.

The launch strengthens Yorkshire’s growing reputation for advanced manufacturing and engineering innovation. By offering practical access to robotic technology, Total Automated Solutions aims to help regional manufacturers improve competitiveness, address skills shortages and invest in production upgrades with greater confidence.

The new service complements the company’s existing capabilities in control-panel and MCC manufacture, PLC and SCADA software, electrical installation, industrial communications, and complete systems integration.

www.tasweb.uk

The attack, which took place overnight on 11–12 October, compromised cold-chain control software at several major food retailers. French supermarket group Les Mousquetaires, which operates Intermarché stores, reported that around 150 stores were affected, with refrigeration temperatures reportedly rising to 50°C for approximately six hours after the attackers remotely reprogrammed cooling regulators to force a continuous defrost cycle. The company said affected food had been discarded as a precaution. Cooperative U also confirmed that stores in its network had been targeted.

France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) has been tasked with investigating the incident. According to Reuters, authorities are examining a vulnerability in software supplied by Danish manufacturer, Danfoss.

Danfoss confirmed that it was aware of incidents in France affecting a limited number of refrigeration management systems. The company said the affected units were running outdated firmware and reiterated its recommendation that customers keep supported systems updated with the latest firmware and migrate legacy systems to current-generation solutions.

The investigation is ongoing, and further details about the attack, including its precise technical cause and the full extent of its impact, have not yet been established publicly.

Industrial engineering teams increasingly inspect parts where they sit – on the production line, across multiple sites, and in service – rather than carrying them to a measurement room. Optical tracking holds a measurement steady when the part or its surroundings move, but it has typically needed cabling, careful setup, and a metrology specialist to operate. The HYPERSCAN system eliminates that setup burden with dynamic optical tracking – a technology that unifies the scanner and the part together in one coordinate system so that the scan remains stable even when the part moves or the setup vibrates.

HYPERSCAN SR is a fully wireless system, with WiFi 6 connectivity and swappable batteries built into the scanner and tracker, so no tethered wireless accessory is required and there is no cabling to route. It deploys with minimal preparation and is straightforward for non-specialist operators to run. When scanning, its dynamic tracking follows the part and the scanner together, so movement and vibration do not break the scan.

Darren Goh, product director for handheld 3D scanners at Hexagon, commented: “Dynamic tracking makes HYPERSCAN SR quick to deploy and simple enough for everyday operators to pick up and use. Because it’s a fully wireless system, with WiFi 6 and battery power native to the device, teams can bring it into limited-access and power-limited areas that a larger, cabled setup can’t reach.”

Target-free wide area scanning helps operators improve their productivity across small and medium parts such as welded machine frames, cast housings, tooling and fixtures, and vehicle interiors, with multiple scanning modes up to 4 million points per second, hole flash capture and edge detection. The scanner weighs only 1.3 kg (excluding battery) with on-device controls and intelligent voice assistant operator support. Finished point clouds can be exported to STL and common file formats, with one-click data transfer to Geomagic or PolyWorks.

HYPERSCAN SR is the new entry point to the HYPERSCAN series, joining HYPERSCAN Ultra, the versatile production workhorse, and HYPERSCAN Super, which provides additional range for the largest parts and automated inspection cells. Calibrated in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, HYPERSCAN SR captures measurement data that is certified to VDI/VDE 2634-3 with a volumetric accuracy that starts from 0.06 mm at 3.2m. This new scanner can also be integrated with robotic automation systems through a standardised integrator kit, and all three HYPERSCAN models share the same workflow and coordinate system.

A highly affordable entry point to professional scanning, it is suitable for on-site and in-field inspection, supplier and incoming-goods quality, field service, maintenance and overhaul, tooling and fixtures, and decentralised quality control, in sectors such as automotive, rail, energy, construction, general manufacturing, industrial equipment, and consumer products.

hexagon.com/products/hyperscan
 

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