2026 Engelberger Awards Highlight Endurance Alongside Innovation

Fujiwara, Executive Director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), receives the Leadership award, a recognition that traces the arc of his career from government corridors to one of the most influential robotics ecosystems globally. Before joining JARA in 2009, Fujiwara spent nearly three decades inside Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, where his public service portfolio ranged from industrial policy, technology development and economic security to international trade. 

At a global level, Fujiwara’s work has helped position Japan as a hub of robotics innovation and collaborative partner for linking industry, government and international markets. His résumé includes leadership roles across organizations such as Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), as well as academic and infrastructure institutions.

Robert Little: Engineering Focus Advances Practical Robotics Applications

The co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation, Robert Little spent more than four decades focused on how to make robots more effective on the factory floor. His solution lay specifically in the interfaces between robots and workpieces. 

Under Little’s leadership, ATI grew from a $1 million startup in 1989 into a global leader in robotic tool changers and force/torque sensing technologies. These components allow robots to switch tasks, apply precise forces and adapt to variability. Refining these capabilities is what turns automation from rigid repetition into flexible production. In 2021, ATI was acquired by Novanta, where Little continued to shape robotics strategy before moving into advisory work through his own firm.

A3 Voices Strong Support for 2026 Honorees

Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), framed the two careers as complementary expressions of the same idea. “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,” he said, pointing to Fujiwara’s role in strengthening international collaboration and Little’s in equipping manufacturers with more adaptable tools. “Together, they reflect the purpose and spirit of the Engelberger Awards, and both are highly deserving of this recognition.” 

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The awards will be presented on June 24 at McCormick Place during Automate 2026, one of North America’s largest robotics and automation events. A3 itself now represents more than 1,450 organizations, spanning manufacturers, suppliers, integrators and research institutions. 

Each winner receives a $5,000 honorarium, along with a medallion and plaque, though being recognized by peers may hold even greater value. Winners are selected by industry leaders and past chairs of A3 and the Robotic Industries Association. 

Fujiwara and Little represent an enduring principle about robotics. Progress cannot rely on machines alone; it also depends on policies, partnerships and enabling components to make them viable.