ifm position gmbh
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ifm group holding subsidiary in Essen managing efector, syntron, and pmd brands since 2014; develops, produces, and distributes electronic systems and sensors.
ifm position gmbh is a holding and development subsidiary of the ifm group, located at Friedrichstrasse 1, 45128 Essen, Germany. Established as a bundling entity in 2014, ifm position gmbh operationally consolidates the subsidiaries of the former ifm syntron, ifm efector, and pmd holding under a single legal structure. The shareholder is ifm stiftung & Co. KG, the family foundation-controlled holding of the ifm group, with registered capital of 25,000 euros.
Managing directors include Klaus Unger and Michael Paintner. The core activities of ifm position gmbh encompass the development, production, and distribution of electrical and electronic systems, devices, components, and equipment, as well as software development, engineering services, and the management of its subsidiaries. Its subsidiaries include ifm electronic asia PTE.
LTD., ifm efector srl, HiDensity AG, Virtual Retail GmbH, ifm Engineering Private Limited, pmd holding gmbh, and ifm efector gmbh. The entity serves as a structural vehicle within the broader ifm group, which reported 1.37 billion euros in revenue in 2022 and employs over 8,760 people across 80+ countries. The ifm group operates across multiple product segments including inductive, capacitive, and photoelectric sensors, process sensors for pressure, temperature, and flow, safety technology, IO-Link devices, condition monitoring, and the moneo IIoT software platform.
Products under the ifm efector brand — historically introduced in 1969 when the ifm founders launched the world's first inductive proximity sensors — remain a core commercial output of the group entities consolidated under ifm position gmbh. The entity represents the structural backbone connecting the sensor product companies within the ifm group to the parent ifm stiftung & Co. KG.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Inductive Full-Metal Safety Sensors
SIL2 full-metal inductive position/proximity safety sensors.
Cylinder Position Sensors
Sensors for pneumatic cylinder position feedback.
Contact ifm position gmbh
WEBSITE
https://www.ifm.comPHONE
+49 201 2422-0HEADQUARTERS
Germany
Company Facts
Founded
2014
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
Keywords
2026 World Robot Conference Features 150 New Products from 373 Exhibitors
The 2026 World Robot Conference, held from August 19 to 23 in Beijing, showcased 373 companies and over 3,000 innovative products, with more than 150 new releases, marking a 21% increase from the previous year. The event highlighted the transition of robots from mere exhibits to commercial products, emphasizing their growing capabilities. Notable innovations included the Nexo robot from Xinghaitu, featuring 30 degrees of freedom and a 20 kg load capacity, capable of completing a full order-to-delivery process autonomously. Additionally, the Galbot ET1 from Yinhe Tongyong demonstrated real-time interaction and learning abilities, showcasing the potential for robots to perform complex household tasks. The conference also addressed the scarcity of high-quality human motion data with the release of the HiPHI dataset, which offers 617.5 hours of data for research purposes. As the robot industry continues to grow, with revenues projected to exceed 300 billion yuan by 2025, the conference underscored the expanding role of robots in various sectors, including homes, factories, and warehouses.
Humanoid Robots Warehouse Automation AI Robotics Innovation Automation Technology
T800 Humanoid Robot Showcases Combat Skills at World Robot Conference 2026
During the 2026 World Robot Conference, the T800 humanoid robot captivated audiences with its combat skills, showcasing punching, dodging, and flying kicks. The event featured a fighting competition between two robots named 'Doujiang' and 'Luzhu,' part of the world's first industrial-grade humanoid robot fighting league, which attracted over 200 teams and offered a total prize pool of 14 million yuan. Zhao Tongyang, founder and CEO of Zhongqing, emphasized that combat-related investments account for less than 10% of the company's focus, with the majority directed towards integrating robots into homes and factories. He explained that mastering physical capabilities through combat is essential for robots to serve humans effectively, as agility and strength are crucial for handling unexpected scenarios. The T800 has already begun operations in the Luxshare Precision factory in Suzhou, handling material loading and transportation tasks. Zhongqing also introduced the EngineAI Awaken, a brain-inspired intelligent engine, which allows for rapid deployment and high success rates in robotic actions. Zhao predicts a significant breakthrough in embodied intelligence within three years, aiming for mass production of humanoid robots to make them commonplace in households.
Humanoid Robots Robotics Competitions AI Technology Industrial Automation
Insights from WRC 2026: Quadruped Robots Transition to Practical Applications with Xuanji Power
The 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC) commenced on August 19 in Beijing, showcasing over 300 exhibitors and more than 2,000 products. A notable shift in the robotics industry was observed, moving from mere demonstrations to practical applications, particularly in quadruped robots. Attendees showed increased interest in the specialized equipment on these robots rather than just their performance. In the past five years, China's quadruped robot sector has transitioned from technology validation to commercial exploration. While there has been significant investment and rapid advancements in gait algorithms and motion control, many companies have struggled with practical deployment in industrial settings. The demand for robots capable of operating in hazardous environments has grown, highlighting the need for reliable and adaptable solutions. At WRC 2026, a clear divide emerged between consumer-grade products and those targeting industrial markets. Xuanji Power has distinguished itself by mastering the design and production of axial flux motors, which offer higher torque and power density. This innovation allows for the development of robust quadruped robots that can meet the rigorous demands of various applications, ensuring product consistency and stability through in-house production of core components.
Quadruped Robots Industrial Automation Robotics Technology AI Energy Sector
Bionic Robotics Innovations Unveiled at the 2026 World Robotics Conference
On August 20, the parallel forum 'Bionic Empowerment: Intelligent Creation of the Future' was held at the 2026 World Robotics Conference in Beijing. Organized by the International Society of Bionic Engineering, the Changchun Trade Promotion Association, and the Jilin Province Bionic Robotics Manufacturing Innovation Center, the event attracted over 300 experts and representatives from industry and venture capital. The highlight of the forum was the presentation by Professor Ren Lei, founder of Yuequan Bionics and a national expert, who unveiled three self-developed product lines: the Y-Hand series dexterous hands, YQ Motors series motors, and YQ Muscles artificial muscle modules. These products embody a complete bionic logic, with YQ Motors offering high power density and low noise across eight series, while YQ Muscles replicate human skeletal muscle biomechanics for safe and compliant power solutions. Additionally, two significant agreements were signed during the forum, indicating Yuequan Bionics' ambitions for industrialization. The partnership with Fuwei Co., a listed company in the automotive parts sector, signals traditional industry capital's entry into the bionic intelligence field. Their collaboration aims to address automation challenges in complex environments, showcasing the practical application of bionic technology in real-world industrial settings.
Bionic Robotics Artificial Muscles Robotic Hands Industrial Automation
OpenClaw: The Fastest Growing Open Source Project on GitHub Developed in Just One Hour
Peter Steinberger developed OpenClaw, an AI coding tool, in just one hour, which has since become one of the fastest-growing open source projects on GitHub, attracting around 2,000 contributors in just six months. The tool allows users to interact with coding agents through familiar chat applications like WhatsApp, making coding accessible to non-engineers. This innovation has gained traction within Microsoft's product ecosystem, highlighting its potential to enhance productivity beyond traditional programming. Looking ahead, the focus will be on how OpenClaw continues to evolve and whether it can maintain its rapid growth while addressing the challenges of quality control in contributions from non-coders. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Alibaba Cloud Introduces Wan3.0 Video Generation Model with 30-Second Clips
Alibaba Cloud has launched Wan3.0, a new video-generation model capable of producing clips up to 30 seconds long. This model accepts various document formats, including DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF, and Markdown, as input. Wan3.0 had been in public beta since early August, allowing users to test its capabilities. The introduction of Wan3.0 is significant as it enhances the video generation process by improving instruction following, shot consistency, and audio quality. This advancement positions Alibaba Cloud as a competitive player in the video generation market, catering to businesses looking for efficient content creation solutions. From August 24 to September 23, selected platforms will provide a temporary 30% discount on Wan3.0 API pricing. This promotional offer may attract more users to explore the model's features and capabilities, potentially leading to increased adoption in various sectors. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
News Feed
Key Takeaways from WRC on Progress and Challenges in Embodied Intelligence Applications
On August 19, during the 2026 World Robotics Conference (WRC), Baidu Intelligent Cloud hosted a specialized event focused on embodied intelligence applications in Beijing. Nearly 20 industry pioneers gathered to discuss technological innovation, practical scenarios, and commercialization pathways for embodied intelligence. This event highlighted a shift in focus within the embodied intelligence sector, as noted by Baidu Group Vice President Yuan Foyu. The emphasis is moving from merely completing actions to maintaining task performance in dynamic environments, and from data scale to real-world interactions. The industry is transitioning from 'emergent capabilities' to 'realizing productivity' in sectors like energy, manufacturing, and logistics. Looking ahead, the industry must address the economic viability of deployments and the value of training, as highlighted by CITIC Securities analyst Li Chenxiao. The Chinese market shows significant advantages in diverse application scenarios compared to overseas counterparts. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Embodied Intelligence Robotics AI Applications Industrial Automation
WRC 2026 Highlights: Robot Industry Shifts Towards Full Chain Coordination
The 2026 World Robot Conference is currently underway in Beijing, showcasing over 300 companies and more than 3,000 exhibits, marking a record scale for the event. Attendees have experienced a variety of innovations, from humanoid robots to advanced sensors, highlighting a shift from isolated breakthroughs to integrated commercial connections within the industry. This transition is significant as it indicates a move from point-based advancements to networked collaboration, essential for the robotics sector to evolve from laboratory settings to real-world applications. The development of embodied intelligence is crucial for enhancing robots' operational capabilities, with a focus on adapting algorithms to complex environments, bridging the gap between theoretical performance and industrial requirements. Looking ahead, companies like Qingyan Precision are pioneering practical applications by replicating real production environments for data collection, while Mok Robotics, a new entrant, aims to develop a universal intelligent base for robots. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Industry Integration AI Automation Exhibitions
WRC 2026: A Sensor's Two Decades of Support for China's Robotics Sector
The 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC) commenced on August 19 in Beijing, showcasing over 300 exhibitors and more than 2,000 exhibits. Key players like Zhejiang humanoid NAVIAI WA2 and others highlighted the importance of 'embodied intelligence' through measurable physical metrics. The event emphasized the need for advanced sensors, with Yuli Instruments' new C-series six-dimensional force sensors gaining attention for their role in robotics. Yuli Instruments has established itself as a leader in sensor technology, having achieved UL certification and collaborated with ABB for over 15 years. Their products, which include over 1,000 types of sensors, are designed to withstand the demanding conditions of industrial applications. The company’s commitment to a fully autonomous production system and international testing standards has garnered trust from global clients, making it a key player in the robotics supply chain. As the industry evolves, the focus is shifting towards force perception as a critical factor for operational success in robotics. The ability to maintain stability on uneven surfaces and perform delicate tasks without damaging components is becoming essential. The increasing reliance on Yuli Instruments' sensors within the ABB ecosystem indicates a growing recognition of their importance in achieving reliable robotic performance.
Robotics Sensor Technology Industrial Automation Humanoid Robots
Waymo Advances Robotaxi Goals with Custom 5 nm Chip for Self-Driving System
Waymo has made significant strides in its robotaxi expansion, recently launching its sixth-generation Ojai robotaxi for riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This next-gen vehicle is designed to be more cost-effective in terms of production, operation, and maintenance, which is essential for the company's profitability aspirations. A key component of this advancement is Waymo's custom 5 nm ASIC chip, engineered to process vast amounts of data from the Ojai's 13 high-fidelity cameras. The chip boasts over 1,000 TOPS of computing performance, comparable to Nvidia’s DRIVE AGX Thor processor, enhancing the system's efficiency and performance in complex urban environments. Waymo's collaboration with partners like AMD, Micron, and Nvidia underscores its commitment to innovation in self-driving technology. As the company continues to refine its systems, attention will be on how these developments impact the competitive landscape of autonomous vehicles and the ongoing investigation into potential security risks associated with lidar sensors from China.
Transportation Tesla Uber Waymo wayve robotaxis
