Trusted measurement in the era of autonomous operations

Trusted measurement enables reliable autonomous manufacturing decisions

by · TechRadar

Opinion By Burkhard Boeckem Published 17 September 2026

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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The manufacturing sector is predicting a shortfall of 1.9 million manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years. As industry moves towards autonomy, trusted measurement will be essential for assessing the quality of the decisions these technologies make. From optimizing production lines and validating critical infrastructure to enabling scientific discovery, organizations continually rely on data to guide decision-making.

Burkhard Boeckem

Burkhard Boeckem is CTO at Hexagon.

Metrology plays a critical role here. It provides the accurate measurement data that many workers and automated systems use as a foundation to make more informed decisions. As precision measurement technologies combine advanced sensors, software, and analytics, they enable organizations to optimize processes in real time.

In a world where microscopic inaccuracies can have consequences at scale, trusted measurement not only assures quality but is also a strategic capability that underpins safe, efficient, and data-driven industries.

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From sport to science

Trusted measurement is the backbone of high-performing industries. In the background, it enables some of the most complex processes, and this takes place across a number of sectors.

Motorsport offers a clear illustration. Teams from the factory to the track rely on trusted measurement data to make informed engineering decisions. In fact, a 1mm difference in ride height can determine both performance and regulatory compliance.

Precision ensures every part of the car complies with regulations, but it also ensures that thousands of individual components can work together to unlock significant gains. In a sport where races are won by milliseconds, confidence in measurement equates to confidence in performance.

The same principle applies in scientific research. Where scientists are exploring the fundamental building blocks of our universe, discoveries of particles would not be possible without intricate technical and engineering work. Precision measurement provides assurance that every observation and experiment is built on accurate data.

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