Some people advance technology. Others advance an entire industry.
Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation, has been awarded the 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for Application—the robotics industry’s most prestigious honor. The award recognizes Bob’s decades-long contribution to expanding the practical use of robotics through innovations in robotic tool changing, force/torque sensing, and end-of-arm tooling technologies that have transformed manufacturing around the world.
For more than 40 years, Bob has helped bridge the gap between what’s possible and what’s practical, enabling manufacturers to deploy robotics with greater flexibility, precision, and confidence. From building ATI into a global leader in robotic automation technologies to helping shape the future of robotics through his leadership at Novanta and beyond, his impact can be seen across virtually every corner of the industry.
The Engelberger Award is a fitting recognition of a career defined by innovation, vision, and an unwavering commitment to advancing automation. Most importantly, it celebrates a legacy that continues to influence how robots are used to solve real-world challenges today and in the future
Watch the Full Video
Hear Bob reflect on his career, the evolution of robotics, and what receiving the industry’s highest honor means to him.
