What is ETFA? Tracing the Legacy of a Global Automation Conference

When we talk about the evolution of industrial automation, one name consistently stands out: ETFA — the International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation. Since its inception in 1992 under the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, ETFA has served as a critical platform for researchers, engineers, and innovators to explore the next frontier in automation, control, and intelligent systems.

The 2016 edition, hosted in Berlin, marked a pivotal point in the history of the conference. It focused heavily on the convergence of IT and OT — showcasing developments in OPC UA, edge computing, cyber-physical systems, and real-time industrial communication protocols. What was once considered experimental is now a foundational part of today’s smart factories.

You can still explore the official IEEE record of the 2016 conference proceedings via IEEE Xplore – ETFA 2016.

At ETFA Industrial Blog, our goal is to carry forward this mission — not only by honoring the legacy of the original ETFA conferences but also by translating complex academic research into real-world industrial insights. We serve as a bridge between universities, labs, and factory floors, making automation knowledge accessible and actionable.

From deep dives into machine learning applications in production lines to field-level industrial Ethernet trends, this blog will explore the key technologies driving the next generation of automation. Whether you’re a researcher, engineer, or tech-curious reader, our content will keep you connected to the pulse of industrial innovation.

Stay with us as we build on the past to illuminate the future — one insight at a time.

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