The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), today announced Hiroshi Fujiwara, Executive Director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), and Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation, as the winners of the 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, the world’s most prestigious robotics honor.
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Hiroshi Fujiwara – 2026 Engelberger Award Winner for Leadership
Fujiwara was selected as the 2026 Leadership winner for his decades of work advancing robotics, industrial policy and international collaboration. Little was selected as the 2026 Application winner for his role in expanding the practical use of robotics in manufacturing through end-effector technologies, force/torque sensing, and robotic tool changing.
The awards will be presented during a special dinner and ceremony on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. CT at McCormick Place in Chicago during Automate 2026, North America’s largest robotics and automation event. Tickets for the awards dinner and ceremony can be purchased through Automate registration, or by updating an existing registration.
“Robotics has always advanced because of people who could see what was possible and then do the hard work to make it practical, useful and scalable,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “Hiroshi Fujiwara has helped strengthen one of the world’s most important robotics ecosystems while building collaboration across industry, government and international markets. Robert Little has spent his career helping manufacturers put robots to work more effectively, giving companies the tools and technologies needed to automate with greater flexibility and confidence. Together, they reflect the purpose and spirit of the Engelberger Awards, and both are highly deserving of this recognition.”
Hiroshi Fujiwara: Advancing Robotics Through Leadership and Global Collaboration
Fujiwara has served as Executive Director of JARA since 2009, where he leads strategic operations and policy advocacy for Japan’s robotics industry. In that role, he has helped foster collaboration among industry leaders, government agencies and international partners to support industrial and service robotics innovation.
Before joining JARA, Fujiwara built a distinguished career in public service with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), retiring in 2009 after nearly three decades in leadership roles spanning industrial policy, technology development, economic security, small business support and international trade. His experience also includes leadership roles with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Tokyo Institute of Technology, where he helped support collaboration among industry, academia and government.
Robert Little: Expanding Practical Robotics Adoption in Manufacturing
Little has more than 40 years of experience in robotics, automation and manufacturing. In 1989, he co-founded ATI Industrial Automation and helped grow the company from approximately $1 million to more than $100 million in revenue. Under his leadership, ATI became a global leader in robotic tool changers, force/torque sensing and other end-effector technologies that expanded the practical use of robots in manufacturing.
Following Novanta’s acquisition of ATI in 2021, Little served as President of Novanta’s ATI business group and later as Chief of Robotics Strategy. He now supports the robotics industry through his advisory firm, Robert Little Robotics, where he advises companies on business strategy focused on robotics and automation markets. He also serves on the A3 Robotics Technology Strategy Board.
About the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards
Named after Joseph F. Engelberger, known throughout the world as the father of robotics, the Engelberger Awards have recognized robotics leaders since 1977 for excellence in technology development, application, education, and leadership.
Each winner receives a $5,000 honorarium, commemorative medallion, and plaque. Winners are selected by a panel of industry leaders based on current and past nominations and are voted on by past chairs of A3 and the Robotic Industries Association (RIA)*.
About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. Members of A3 represent more than 1,450 manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, research groups and consulting firms that drive automation forward worldwide.
In addition to Automate, A3 hosts a number of industry-leading events, including the Humanoid Robot Forum (June 23-24, 2026, at Automate Show in Chicago), Advanced Vision & AI Conference (September 23-24, 2026, in Santa Clara, CA), the International Robot Safety Conference (November 3-5, 2026, in Detroit, MI), and The A3 Business Forum (January 18-20, 2027, in Orlando, FL).
*RIA joined with AIA-Advancing Vision + Imaging (AIA) and the Motion Control and Motors Association (MCMA) in 2021 to become A3, one trade group for the entire automation ecosystem.
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