Opening ceremony of Hannover Messe 2025: A groundbreaking dialogue between humans, robots, and AI, guided by a fictional interface, for 3,000 industry leaders.
As the world’s leading trade fair for industrial transformation, Hannover Messe 2025 required an opening ceremony that not only embodied its motto “Shaping the Future with Technology,” but also solidified its pioneering role as a platform for innovation. The core objective was to set the agenda for the week, inspire confidence in the ongoing transformation, and underline Messe’s status as a thought leader. The show used “Hermes AI” to connect abstract concepts—like smart manufacturing, digital ecosystems, and energy for industry—to a tangible, engaging experience. The goal was to leave political, economic, and media stakeholders with a shared sense of mission, turning them from passive spectators into active participants in shaping the future.
At the creative heart of the ceremony was “Hermes AI,” a narrative guide that seamlessly controlled transitions, facts, video content, and speaker animations. This framework created a compelling dialogue between humans, robots, and AI. The staging was exceptionally innovative, featuring a live performance with an equilibrist artist and a range of advanced robots, including the humanoid Unitree G1, the two-wheeled Ascento, and the agile Robodogs Go1 and B2-W. The show’s highlight was the artist’s pioneering feat of balancing on the moving B2-W Robodog, a world-first demonstration of human-machine trust. Adding to this, a Fanuc CRX robotic arm served as a symbolic, adjustable lectern for high-profile speakers. The result was a truly unprecedented event format for a trade fair opening: spectacular and entertaining yet deeply rooted in the Messe’s core themes.
