The Hanover Fair, a German industrial trade show, opened on 04 April, 2011 to business visitors. Around 6,500 companies are exhibiting their products ranging from robots, pumps, gearboxes, high-technology coatings, to rocker switches and electrical transformers.
Aldebaran Robot
Despite the economic impact of Japan’s tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disaster, the machinery makers remained optimistic, according to the German mechanical engineering industry association, VDMA. In February, their bookings had increased by 38% compared to a year ago.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor had inaugurated the five-day trade fair at a Hanover theatre.
Francois Fillon, the French Prime Minister, along with two ministers from the German cabinet toured the trade fair.
Suzhou Ompa Industrial Robots, a Chinese robotics maker, displayed a van-sized robot that had the capability to handle pallets of bottled drinks weighing 250 kgs. French robot manufacturer, Aldebaran Robotics also exhibited its robots at the Hanover Fair.
Based on the nuclear disaster in Japan, many German industrialists voiced their support to shutdown nuclear power generation in Germany. They added that conservationists would have to allow implementation of energy storage reservoirs, high-voltage cross-country lines and wind turbines.