A3 Recognizes Robotics Trailblazers Hiroshi Fujiwara and Robert Little with 2026 Engelberger Awards
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, honoring two figures who have shaped the future of robotic worldwide: Hiroshi Fujiwara, executive director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), and Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation.
Named for the “father of robotics,” Joseph F. Engelberger, these awards recognize exceptional contributions in robotics leadership and application since 1977. Winners receive a medallion, plaque, and honorarium, selected by a panel of industry luminaries who validate the impact of their work on advancing robotics worldwide.
Leadership Honoree: Hiroshi Fujiwara
Awarded for his decades-long leadership, Fujiwara has influenced Japan’s robotics ecosystem and driven international collaboration that foster technology development and deployment. Since 2009, Fujiwara has steered JARA’s initiatives that unify industrial, academic, and governmental stakeholders to strengthen policy frameworks and innovations strategies critical to robotics growth.
His extensive public service tenure at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other prominent organizations laid the foundation for Japan’s prominence in robotics policy and industry advancement—factors that underpin the broad adoption of intelligent automation solutions, including advanced vision systems, in manufacturing and beyond.
Application Honoree: Robert Little
About the Author
Sharon Spielman
Head of Content
Sharon Spielman joined Vision Systems Design in January 2026. She has more than three decades of experience as a writer and editor for a range of B2B brands, most recently as technical editor for VSD's sister brand Machine Design, covering industrial automation, mechanical design and manufacturing, medical device design, aerospace and defense, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, and more.