From Single Pair Ethernet and 5G to Artificial Intelligence: Industrial communication is constantly evolving, and so are the requirements for interconnected automation systems. The technologies and research approaches driving these developments took center stage at the 17th Annual Conference on Communication in Automation (KommA), held on November 10, 2026. Jointly organized by the Institute Industrial IT (inIT) at the OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts (TH OWL) and the Institute for Automation and Communication (ifak) in Magdeburg, the conference brought together around 60 experts from academia and industry at SmartFactoryOWL on the Innovation Campus Lemgo.
Chaired by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Jasperneite (inIT) and Prof. Dr. Lisa Underberg (ifak), KommA featured a diverse programme with one keynote, 15 technical presentations across four thematic sessions and eight poster contributions. The focus was on current research findings, technological developments and their applications in industrial practice.
Current Research, Practical Applications
The scientific programme opened with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Alexander Fay from Ruhr University Bochum titled “AI in the Engineering of Automated Systems”. The four subsequent sessions explored different aspects of industrial communication: emerging technologies, application areas, connected real-time systems and Artificial Intelligence.
The presentations covered topics such as new testing and validation methods for Single Pair Ethernet, the integration of OPC UA-enabled machines and communication in private 5G networks. Further contributions addressed the reliability of industrial real-time systems and the use of Artificial Intelligence, including security monitoring for industrial control systems, network configuration and the analysis of engineering data.
The programme was complemented by a poster session featuring eight additional research contributions. Topics included industrial cybersecurity, IT/OT integration and the use of Asset Administration Shells.
More Than a Conference Day
The exchange of ideas began the day before the conference. During an excursion to the MONOCAB research project, participants gained insights into an innovative mobility concept for rail transport. The subsequent Conference Dinner at the historic Kesselhaus in Lemgo provided an opportunity to continue conversations and make new connections. A special surprise came from a group of musically talented KommA participants who spontaneously formed a band and provided live music for the evening.
Throughout the conference, presentations, poster discussions and breaks offered further opportunities for scientific exchange and personal encounters.
“We are delighted that KommA has established itself over the years as a regular meeting point for the industrial communication community. In a field that is evolving so rapidly, direct exchange between academia and industry is particularly valuable. It is wonderful to see that KommA has been providing a platform for this exchange for so many years,” says Prof. Dr. Jürgen Jasperneite.
Research Contributions Available Open Access
Those interested in exploring the research presented at KommA 2026 in greater detail can access the contributions in the open-access conference proceedings.
→ Explore the contributions: https://doi.org/10.25644/3yhf-pk66
Save the Date: The next KommA will take place on November 2–3, 2027, in Magdeburg.
Author: Mona Marie Brinkmann