With entries for Robotics & Automation Awards 2025 now open, Robotics & Automation Magazine has launched an exclusive series of Q&A interviews with the expert panel of judges responsible for evaluating this year’s submissions.
In the coming weeks, the magazine will spotlight each judge – a dynamic mix of thought leaders, technical experts and business strategists drawn from across the robotics, automation, AI and smart manufacturing sectors – to explore their backgrounds, industry outlooks and what they’ll be looking for in an award-winning entry.
From end users and integrators to researchers and investors, this year’s panel represents a rich blend of practical and academic expertise – all of which will help identify the most transformative, scalable and commercially viable innovations driving the next era of automation and intelligent systems.
The first judge to feature in the series is Will Kinghorn, technology adoption specialist – Robotics and Automation at Made Smarter
Kinghorn is the automation and robotics specialist for the Made Smarter Adoption Programme in the North West, where he advises and supports manufacturing companies with the adoption of new technologies.
He is a also a chartered manufacturing engineer with the IMechE, and his background is in the aerospace industry where he developed and implemented new manufacturing techniques including automation, robotics, advanced machining, inspection, and welding.
Kinghorn is the author of Digital Transformation in Your Manufacturing Business – A Made Smarter Guide.
Speaking to Robotics & Automation Magazine, Kinghorn reflected on the vital role of automation in ensuring industrial resilience and explained why practical impact, scalability and collaboration will be key markers of excellence among this year’s entries.
How does your professional background align with the Robotics & Automation Awards’ goal of recognising excellence in automation and intelligent technologies?
By far the most important aspect of any technology project is the people. My background originally in developing new manufacturing technologies in the aerospace industry, and now helping smaller companies with digital transformation, is always focussed on working with people to solve problems, understanding people’s concerns, and empowering people to deliver change. The Robotics and Automation Awards play an important role in celebrating the people behind the progress.What current trends or technologies in robotics and automation are you most excited about, and how do you anticipate seeing them reflected in this year’s entries?
I’m most excited about anything that makes robotics and automation accessible to more companies. Developments in lower cost robots, easier integration, and low-code programming will have a great impact on this. Also, we’ve all seen how much artificial intelligence has developed recently, particularly large language models. I’m looking forward to seeing the applications and how these tools have been used in the field of robotics and automation.From your perspective as a judge, what qualities will distinguish a truly standout submission?
I’m always looking for the practical impacts that projects have had. It’s great to see ground-breaking technology concepts in development, it’s even better to see them up and running in the real world, and seeing how the teams have tackled the challenges that this brings.How do industry awards such as these help foster innovation, investment and commercialisation in the robotics and automation sector?
Primarily it’s raising the profile of the hard-working people developing new solutions. Celebrating people’s successes is a great way of doing this, and showing the rest of the world what’s possible. These awards will encourage more people to have a go and work on something on their own, and it’s not just for big companies, it’s for everyone.Can you share an example of a robotics or automation innovation – either recent or historic – that you believe has had a lasting impact on the way industries operate?
The growth of logistics operations in recent years wouldn’t have been possible without automated systems throughout warehouses. While this isn’t an area I’ve worked in, I can see the huge impact warehouse robotics has had in every industry. Autonomous mobile robots, automated storage and retrieval systems, complex conveyor systems, and advanced software all help ensure that components are delivered on time for production, products are delivered quickly to consumers, and the use of warehouse space is maximised.What advice would you give to companies and individuals submitting an entry this year?
Be clear about what the project aimed to achieve and what the results were, the judges won’t necessarily be from the same industry so make sure you explain the challenge and any relevant background. Tell the story, where you started, what you learned, and what you delivered.
The deadline for submitting written entries close July 24th. The shortlist will be announced on August 6th.
Click here to start work on your entry today!
