WHAT'S ON AT THE Advanced engineering eXHIBITION
Advanced Engineering is the event where engineers and manufacturers discover hands-on technology, explore specialist pavilions and connect with the right partners across every industrial sector. From sovereign capability and dual-use technologies to net zero transition and supply chain security, this is where the full breadth of UK manufacturing comes together under one roof. Explore live tech, meet peers and buyers, and find solutions you weren’t expecting to discover.
Free entry. 9000+ visitors, 6 CPD forums, live demos and networking lounges, all in one venue.
Seminars, live demos, networking and more, explore everything happening across both days.
XRC Robotics is a British developer and manufacturer of modular unmanned ground vehicles for defence, security, surveillance and emergency response. Its rugged, open-architecture platforms are designed for demanding operational environments, supporting logistics, reconnaissance, force protection and autonomous operations.
XRC Robotics’ sovereign capability is strengthened by its specialist sister company, XRC Engineering, which provides precision CNC machining and advanced manufacturing in-house. From critical components through to complete robotic systems, this integrated approach gives XRC greater control over quality, development, production and supply chain resilience.
Visitors can see XRC Robotics’ latest UGV platforms, Rhino and MFP-1, on display alongside an exclusive showcase of new accessories and payload solutions.
Q5D is pioneering the full automation of wire harness manufacture. Our robots and software translate designs into products digitally, retaining established components wherever possible. Our automated systems route, protect and terminate wires to create complete wiring harnesses. The wiring can be integrated onto almost any 3D surface or laid out as a separate component. Minimal fixturing means very high design flexibility. The result is precise and repeatable, reduces labour by 80% or more and massively reduces factory footprint. This: lowers cost, shortens supply chains and improves quality.
Hybrid Drones Ltd is a British micro business, registered in late 2019, with the sole aim of disrupting the drone cargo delivery, last-mile resupply, search & rescue and loitering munition sectors.
Our patented, innovative solution of a flexible, compact and reconfigurable ultra heavy-lift hybrid drone (HYDRA), will tackle many new and emerging last-mile resupply/lifting tasks currently undertaken by larger, more expensive and riskier crewed systems:
• Contested Logistics.
• Ship to Ship (Shore)/(Platform).
• Search & Rescue.
• Fire Fighting.
• Loitering Munitions.
HYDRA can autonomously carry a nominal maximum payload of 400 kg (up to 1.3 m3), out to a range of 20-25 km, within 10 min. Due to its hybrid nature (combining micro jet turbines with highly efficient BLDC motors/rotors) HYDRA is capable of lifting heavy payloads out to short ranges, or lighter payloads out to greater ranges of up to 60 km or more.
University of Nottingham Racing is a 142-strong Formula Student team, designing, building and racing a single-seater electric race car against teams from universities across the UK and internationally.
This year, the team achieved an impressive 15th place out of 121 teams at Formula Student UK, reaching the Cost Final for the first time and completing the Endurance event for the first time in five years.
Team Bath Racing Electric (TBRe) is the University of Bath’s student-led Formula Student team. Every car is designed and manufactured on campus by students, and the team competes internationally at events including Formula Student UK and Formula Student Germany.
The car on display is an earlier generation of TBRe’s electric race car. Having competed at both events, it now serves as the team’s development and testing platform.
The team is now designing its 2027 car, its first four-wheel-drive vehicle. Four in-hub motors, each driven through a gearbox designed in-house, will allow torque vectoring at every wheel, giving finer control of the powertrain and more performance from the tyres.
Visit the team at the show to see the car up close and meet the students behind it, whether your interest is partnership, sponsorship or graduate talent.
From infrastructure inspection to environmental monitoring, IE-SOAR fuel cells enable UAV operators to extend flight times, cover more ground, and maximise mission productivity compared to battery alternatives.
Intelligent Energy is powering the hydrogen future by developing and manufacturing outstanding zero emission hydrogen fuel cell products.
Flyer AI is pioneering autonomous aviation. Flyer is first developing an autonomous “last-mile” delivery aircraft for commercial launch in 2027, delivering groceries, medical supplies or online purchases to your doorstep in minutes, emission free, traffic congestion free, near silently and with best practice aviation safety.
The D-1.1 is Flyer’s pre-production prototype. It uses a hexacopter VTOL + fixed-wing configuration to hover in place while picking up or dropping off its payload, and fly between waypoints like a conventional aircraft for greater efficiency, reduced noise and increased range.
Hybrid Drones Ltd is a British micro business, registered in late 2019, with the sole aim of disrupting the drone cargo delivery, last-mile resupply, search & rescue and loitering munition sectors.
Our patented, innovative solution of a flexible, compact and reconfigurable ultra heavy-lift hybrid drone (HYDRA), will tackle many new and emerging last-mile resupply/lifting tasks currently undertaken by larger, more expensive and riskier crewed systems:
• Contested Logistics.
• Ship to Ship (Shore)/(Platform).
• Search & Rescue.
• Fire Fighting.
• Loitering Munitions.
HYDRA can autonomously carry a nominal maximum payload of 400 kg (up to 1.3 m3), out to a range of 20-25 km, within 10 min. Due to its hybrid nature (combining micro jet turbines with highly efficient BLDC motors/rotors) HYDRA is capable of lifting heavy payloads out to short ranges, or lighter payloads out to greater ranges of up to 60 km or more.
Dedicated pavilions bring together forward-thinking companies, cutting-edge technologies, and practical solutions in one focused environment. Whether sourcing new suppliers, exploring innovation, or solving complex engineering challenges, pavilions offer unparalleled access to what’s next.
This year’s pavilions:
Powered by PRF Composites Materials.
As one of the ONLY UK meeting place for the composites industry, the Composites Networking Lounge is a place to connect, discover and explore the latest in composites.
What’s happening:
Bridging the UK’s manufacturing skills gap
The Skills Junction is a dedicated zone designed to help bridge the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing.
By bringing together businesses, educational institutions, associations and government stakeholders, the Skills Junction raises awareness, shares best practice and fosters collaboration to develop the skilled workforce needed to drive the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sector forward.
Join the Women in Industry Networking Brunch on 3th of November 10:00.
NEC Birmingham · 4–5 November 2026 · Free entry to visit
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