KUKA Robotics will display its automation solutions for packaging and food manufacturing at Pack Expo 2026, taking place Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The company will operate booth #N-5530 with live demonstration cells and an interactive experience featuring the LBR iisy cobot and iiQKA.OS2 operating system.
Operating System and Simulation Tools
The iiQKA.OS2 operating system is described as scalable, customizable, and AI-capable, designed to meet ISO 10218:2025 and cyber-resilience requirements. KUKA's iiQWorks.Sim simulation software allows offline programming, testing, and optimization of cells before deployment, reducing risk and implementation time without interrupting production. For hospitality operations, these tools enable kitchen automation systems to be tested and refined before live service, minimizing disruption to food prep workflows.
Case Erecting and Material Handling Demos
System partner Compendium Group will demonstrate robotic case erecting using two compact KR AGILUS six-axis robots working in tandem—one holding a carton while the second loads a cardboard insert. The cell uses KUKA.PLC mxAutomation programming software, which Compendium says enables "intuitive robot programming directly within the PLC environment to simplify integration, accelerate commissioning and provide greater flexibility."
FOCUS Integration will feature a double-sided CUBE robotic palletizing and depalletizing cell equipped with a KR IONTEC industrial robot and a KMP 1500P autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The double-sided configuration enables uninterrupted production by autonomously removing completed pallets while allowing palletizing to continue on the opposite side. For restaurants and hospitality venues, this type of autonomous material handling reduces labor demands in storage and supply chain management.
Acieta will demonstrate a KR20 R1820 robot from KUKA's KR CYBERTECH series for case blank loading, removing straps from bundles of flattened boxes before loading them into a case erector magazine.
Speaking Engagement
KUKA Account Manager Brendan Turner will speak at the Pack Expo 2026 Innovation Stage on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 AM. His presentation, "From Napkin Sketch to Lights-Out Logistics: Building Autonomous Material Handling Systems," will cover AMR fleet management, interfacing with physical equipment, and software infrastructure. Turner will draw examples from food and beverage as well as automotive manufacturing to demonstrate how automation concepts scale on the plant floor.
Why It Matters for Hospitality
As restaurants and hotels grapple with labor shortages and rising operational costs, back-of-house automation technologies like those KUKA is showcasing represent a significant operational lever. Collaborative robots designed for human-adjacent work can augment kitchen staff, while autonomous systems handle repetitive material handling tasks. The emphasis on simulation and offline programming is particularly relevant for hospitality operators: it allows automation infrastructure to be tested and optimized before deployment, minimizing downtime and ensuring seamless integration with existing kitchen or supply workflows.
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
