Collect your LEGO robot arm at the World of Industry

Trade fairs are known for many things: stands, conversations, coffee that is always just a little too hot, and goodie bags that you take a critical look at once you get home. During WoTS 2026, something will be added that won't end up in a drawer: a LEGO robot arm.

At least… if you manage to collect it.

For the World of Industry It is all about industrial automation. And yes, that quickly sounds as if it is mainly about complex systems and technical dependencies. That is true. But this year, that concept has been made surprisingly tangible. In ten steps. Or better: ten exhibitors.

Walk past the participating stands and collect a piece of the gadget at each stop. Only when you have followed the entire route will you hold a complete robotic arm in your hands. It is a kind of scavenger hunt, but one with an excuse to really pause and reflect on what is happening at the fair.

And that is exactly the intention.

For that robotic arm is not just any gadget. It symbolizes how industrial automation works: no system is created in isolation. What ultimately appears as a single movement is the result of sensors that measure, systems that process signals, components that communicate, and mechanics that actually set something in motion. All separate specialisms that are coordinated with one another.

The gadget makes that literally visible. Every piece you pick up represents a link in that chain. So you are not just building a robot arm, you are building a miniature version of the industry itself.

And admittedly: that provides plenty to talk about. Because suddenly you aren't just standing at a booth because you're walking past, but because you are part of a larger whole. That lowers the barrier to starting a conversation just a little. “What does this part actually belong to?” is a lot more fun than “What exactly do you do?”

There is a small catch, though. There are a limited number of gadgets available, and you have to reserve one in advance. So, deciding spontaneously at the fair? That’s possible, but there’s a good chance you’ll end up going home with nothing but the memory.

What you ultimately do with it is up to you. Put it on your desk, take it apart (because, well, LEGO), or use it as a subtle reminder that collaboration forms the basis of almost everything you see on WoTS.

And honestly: it might well be the first time that “visiting all the stands” feels like a plan instead of an intention.

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No single supplier builds a complete automation solution independently. The strength of industrial automation lies in the collaboration between various specialisms. The robot arm makes this chain visible.