What industry shifts will reshape production and transport in 2026

Forecast highlighted changes in supply networks, robotaxis, automation and in-car safety.

Manufacturers are set to shift from scale-driven supply networks to resilience-focused production models in 2026, with over 50% reassessing sourcing locations and manufacturing footprints, according to a Forrester report. 

The report also expects supply chain leaders to take on wider strategic roles amid geopolitical uncertainty and sustained demand for customisation.

Forrester forecasts that robotaxi activity will extend beyond China and the United States next year, with autonomous vans targeted for deployment in Hamburg and passenger trials planned in London. 

Embedded-AI developers and ride-hailing partners are expected to advance overseas expansion more actively than US-based fleet operators, supported by testing in markets such as Japan.

The firm expects only a limited number of humanoid robots to perform commercial work in 2026 despite advances in embodied AI. Manufacturers are likely to prioritise drones, collaborative robots and robotic arms, which currently provide higher reliability for industrial tasks.

New Euro NCAP rules taking effect in January will restrict top safety ratings for cars without physical controls for critical functions such as indicators or wipers. Forrester said this requirement is likely to slow the shift toward screen-dominated cabins as improved generative-AI-powered voice interfaces gain traction.