Detroit once again stood out as the epicenter of industrial innovation with the celebration of Automate 2025, North America’s most prominent event in automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Among the many presentations that defined this year’s edition, one partnership stood out for its bold approach and transformative potential: the collaboration between Inbolt and FANUC. These two leaders in their respective fields announced a technological integration that promises to redefine efficiency on modern assembly lines.
At the heart of this breakthrough is GuideNOW, a solution developed by the French company Inbolt. What sets GuideNOW apart is its 3D vision system, mounted directly onto robots. Unlike conventional systems that rely on costly fixed structures or rigid configurations, GuideNOW embraces a dynamic approach. It combines 3D cameras with AI algorithms trained through neural networks, enabling industrial robots to operate in real time—even in disorganized or constantly changing environments.
The live demonstration at Automate 2025 showcased how this integration with FANUC robots significantly enhances the execution of complex assembly tasks. Rather than depending on fixed positions or extensive programming, the robots can now “see” and adapt to their surroundings with millimeter-level precision.
This system has already been implemented at Stellantis’ plant in Hungary, where it automates the loading of cylinder heads—a task that traditionally required human intervention due to the variability in part positioning and orientation. Thanks to this integration, the production line has achieved a notable leap in both efficiency and operational consistency.
FANUC also used Automate 2025 to present a wide range of its portfolio, from collaborative robots (cobots) designed to work safely alongside human operators, to more advanced solutions powered by AI and machine vision. With over 800,000 robots installed worldwide, the Japanese company reaffirmed its status as a global automation leader.
The underlying message was clear: it is no longer enough to automate—what matters now is to automate intelligently. “What we’re achieving with Inbolt is a step toward more flexible factories, where robotics is not only precise but also adaptable,” FANUC representatives emphasized during the presentation.
This partnership reflects the direction in which the future of industry is heading: flexible automation, guided by vision and powered by artificial intelligence. In a global context marked by a shortage of skilled labor and a growing demand for product customization, solutions like the one from Inbolt and FANUC are not just desirable—they are essential.
For companies striving to remain competitive, the proposition is as simple as it is powerful: adopt technology that not only performs but also thinks. In this regard, the collaboration between Inbolt and FANUC marks a turning point—one that could reshape the very foundations of industrial automation.
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