Platform-Based Automation Solution for Industrial Robotics by Gessmann
W. Gessmann GmbH will be presenting a new software defined approach to industrial automation at Hannover Messe 2026 in Hall 16, Stand B10/1, together with Wandelbots. The focus is on how heterogeneous robot fleets can be efficiently coordinated and integrated into existing production and intralogistics environments.
For the first time, a fully integrated solution will be showcased that connects 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 further complemented by technologies such as NVIDIA Omniverse and NVIDIA Isaac Sim, enabling realistic simulation and validation of automation scenarios.
"Together, these integrated solutions make it possible to design, simulate, deploy, and scale automation solutions significantly faster. This reduces integration effort, shortens the payback period, and avoids vendor lock-in in complex brownfield environments," explains Steffen Kuhnle, Head of the Robotics Business Unit at Gessmann.
"For nearly a century, we have been developing Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems for demanding applications. This hands-on experience also shapes our robotics solutions," Kuhnle adds. "Our GESSbot was developed with real-world deployment in mind and has been tested in our own existing production environments. Extensions such as coordinated multi-robot systems — like our new GESSbot Duo — highlight our focus on the interplay of multiple systems in everyday operations."
The central challenge of modern automation lies less in individual robots than in their integration. Different systems come with their own inherent logic, giving rise to complexity and dependencies. "This is precisely where the collaboration with Wandelbots comes in. The NOVA platform creates a vendor-independent software layer through which different robot types can be programmed and orchestrated — resulting in a seamless, end-to-end system rather than isolated individual solutions," explains Martin Wanitschke, Chief of Staff at Wandelbots.
This approach offers particular advantages for brownfield environments. Existing production and logistics systems can continue to be used and selectively expanded without extensive retrofitting. The combination of GESSbot and the NOVA platform enables the modular integration of new robotics solutions into existing infrastructure.
Thanks to its vendor-independent software architecture, different robot types can be operated via a unified control and orchestration layer. This reduces integration complexity and simplifies the incorporation of additional systems, while also supporting the standardization of workflows and their use across multiple sites.
On the technical side, users benefit from a clearly separated architecture encompassing development, simulation, and execution. Automation processes can be centrally created, tested, and then deployed directly into the operational environment. Combined with simulation-based methods, this creates a seamless engineering approach that shortens planning times, safeguards commissioning, and facilitates the scaling of automation solutions.
This solution will be on display for the first time at Hannover Messe 2026 in Hall 16, Stand B10/1, from April 20 to 24, 2026. Trade visitors to the stand will gain a practical insight into the next stage of shopfloor automation and concrete approaches for connecting diverse systems into a powerful, unified whole.
About W. Gessmann GmbH
For over 95 years, Gessmann has been developing and manufacturing technically sophisticated products at its two sites in Leingarten and Schwaigern, delivering tailored solutions for its customers. Drawing on extensive expertise and comprehensive service, the company fulfills complex requirements and customer-specific requests, always guaranteeing optimal results. With a broad portfolio of HMI solutions and approximately 1,000 employees worldwide, Gessmann responds precisely to the needs of its customers. The use of advanced technologies such as automated guided vehicles and collaborative robots further enhances their efficiency.
For more information, visit: www.gessmann.com
About Wandelbots
Wandelbots is a Physical AI-focused deep tech company headquartered in Dresden and Chicago that is fundamentally reimagining industrial automation. Its software-centric, vendor-independent approach simplifies and democratizes the programming of complex industrial robots, making them intuitively controllable. Wandelbots helps companies automate faster and reliably scale global operations, while drastically reducing implementation times and costs.