Digitalization can achieve measurable efficiency gains even in non-automated or semi-automated areas of wiring harness manufacturing and give the entire industry a significant boost in modernization. So far, mostly individual automated solutions exist, such as cutting, crimping, or block-loading machines.

To enable fully automated, end-to-end manufacturing in the future, the necessary digital prerequisites must be systematically identified. The Robotics Challenge 2026 builds upon the solutions of the participating teams and examines the required digital foundations. The central question is which data, interfaces, and standards are necessary to make physical automation process-reliable, scalable, and usable across industries.

The accompanying digitization and research module provides valuable, practical insights. These are openly accessible and consistently geared towards the requirements of future automated wiring harness manufacturing.

All general information about the Robotics Challenge 2026 can be found on the overview page. Robotics Challenge 2026The complete guide with all detailed information is also available for download there.

A fully digitized process chain enables: 

• Integration of procurement and logistics processes via machine interfaces. 
• Greater production flexibility is made possible through data-driven processes.  
• Efficiency improvements can be achieved through the automated setup of production machines.  
• Improved quality assurance is possible through the recording, evaluation, and visualization of manufacturing processes and data. 
• Better compliance with legislative requirements is possible (e.g., traceability).

In parallel with physical automation, the wiring harness hub is investigating digitalization-relevant aspects of the challenge. Three overarching goals are central to this investigation: 

1. Promoting the standardization of the industry-specific data formats VEC and KBL  
2. Development of a concept for digital manufacturing orders in the AAS data format
3. Definition of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for the wiring harness

The following aspects can be analyzed as part of the accompanying research:  

1. Export of relevant data from engineering tools using data standards  
2. Import of relevant input data using data standards
3. Determining the time, energy and material consumption for the manufacturing process
4. Documentation of the essential aspects of the manufacturing process
5. Generation of a digital product passport (DPP) at the end of the manufacturing process

In the digitization module, two groups work together, complementing each other.

1) Participants of the Robotics Challenge 2026 

The teams develop automation solutions, thereby providing important insights for digitalization research. Upon request, they receive direct support from the IT and software service provider of the wiring harness hub, including: 

• Software components for integrating digital requirements 
• Open-source microservices, e.g., for generating a DPP administration shell via REST API 
• Support with interface analyses 
• Assistance with integration into the teams' control and software landscape 

This support facilitates the technical implementation and improves the interoperability of the developed solutions. 

2) Engineering, simulation and tool providers

These companies are not participants in the Robotics Challenge in the traditional sense, but rather support the project from a digital and technical perspective. They provide support through:

• Expertise in data acquisition, data quality, and data interfaces
• Ensuring compatibility with industry standards such as VEC, KBL and AAS
• Contributions to the further development of digital foundations for the entire industry

Their collaboration will improve the industry's digital infrastructure in the long term and create added value for current and future automation projects.

For all questions regarding the research accompanying digitalization and participation in the digitalization module, please contact our representative.