Nidec Drives at Automation Expo 2026: What’s New?
At Automation Expo 2026, Senthil Kumar V, Vice President – Nidec Drives – India & Asia, speaks to mojo4industry about the company’s latest intelligent drive technologies, the future of smart manufacturing, India’s automation opportunity, and why manufacturers can no longer afford to delay digital transformation.
Q. Manufacturers today are under pressure to produce more while consuming less energy. How do your latest drive solutions help achieve both objectives?
Senthil Kumar: Productivity and energy efficiency are not trade-offs – they must go hand in hand. Our latest generation of drives is designed to precisely match speed and torque with application requirements. When you can accurately optimize machine performance, you improve productivity while also reducing energy consumption.
Connectivity is important, but the real differentiator lies in delivering the right speed and torque for every application, ensuring maximum efficiency and superior machine output.
Q. Industrial automation is a highly competitive market. What gives Nidec Drives its competitive edge?
Senthil Kumar: Technology is certainly one differentiator, particularly our intelligent drive platform that closely adapts to machine performance requirements. But equally important is our engineering team. Our experts understand complex customer applications and leverage our technologies to solve real production challenges. It is this combination of advanced technology and application expertise that differentiates Nidec Drives.
Q. How do you see industrial drives evolving from being motor controllers to becoming intelligent components of smart factories?
Senthil Kumar: Modern drives are no longer just variable frequency controllers. They continuously gather operational data about the health of the motor, the drive itself, and the overall operating environment. When this information is combined with built-in intelligence and connected to factory automation systems, it becomes an extremely powerful decision-making tool.
This enables intelligence to move from the shop floor to the top floor, supporting AI-driven manufacturing, predictive insights, and better operational performance across the factory.
Q. You oversee business across Asia. What makes India a unique and attractive market for industrial automation?
Senthil Kumar: I see three important dimensions. First is the enabling environment created through government initiatives that improve the ease of doing business. Second is India’s strong engineering talent and its ability to rapidly adopt new technologies.
The third – and perhaps the biggest change – is the mindset of Indian manufacturers. Today, companies are increasingly willing to invest in technologies that help them differentiate themselves globally. It’s no longer just about reducing costs; it’s about delivering world-class performance and creating greater value for customers.
Q. Many SMEs still hesitate to invest in automation because they consider it expensive or complex. What would you tell them?
Senthil Kumar: It’s understandable that SMEs have several business priorities. However, automation should be viewed as an investment rather than merely an expense. Manufacturers should evaluate returns not only in terms of cost savings but also in terms of competitiveness, customer value, and long-term differentiation.
Technology enables companies to provide better products and better customer experiences. If manufacturers delay adopting these technologies, competitors will move ahead. In today’s market, automation is no longer optional – it has become essential for staying competitive.
