Hannover Messe •• Opening Ceremony

Shaping the Future with Technology

The Hannover Messe is one of the most important industrial trade fairs in the world. In 2025, the manufacturing industry is facing deep transformation. With the ceremonial Opening Ceremony on the evening before the fair, we set a strong statement – for a future in which humans, machines, and artificial intelligence work together successfully and profitably.

AI as the Narrative Engine of Transformation

The dramatic anchor of the production was the fictional “Hermes AI.” It guided the audience through the evening with “prompts,” while AI-generated motion design connected the new digital look of the fair with its current core topics. Abstract compositions and fluid transitions transformed themes such as industrial transformation, sustainability, and digitalization into a compelling visual experience.

Cobots and Collaboration – A New Era of Human-Machine Interaction

A highlight was a live performance in which equilibrist Joana interacted in a precise choreography with four different cobots, making the interplay of humans and machines tangible both physically and symbolically. The iconic moment: surrounded by ultra-light bionic robo-bees, Joana balanced on the four-legged B2-W – a powerful symbol of trust, balance, and technological cooperation.

Symbolic Imagery with Global Impact

At the finale, Joana and the robots together transformed the speaker’s podium into a visual statement: an industrial robot arm behind which leading figures such as Siemens CEO Roland Busch, VDMA President Bertram Kawlath, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered their speeches. This produced a striking image with global resonance – symbolizing the alliance of forward-looking industry, cutting-edge technology, and political leadership.