This special issue of the International Journal of Automation Technology brings together research advancing the field of precision engineering in the context of next-generation automation systems. Precision engineering has long served as the foundation of industrial innovation, enabling the construction of systems with high precision, efficiency, and reliability under demanding conditions. As automation becomes increasingly intelligent and interconnected, the role of precision is becoming increasingly important, affecting not only the performance but also the reliability, sustainability, and adaptability to complex environments.

The contributions reported in this issue cover diverse yet complementary research areas. Specifically, advanced mechanism design, improved uncertainty quantification in early-stage design processes, and development of state-of-the-art measurement techniques based on imaging are covered. Structural optimization approaches aimed at reducing the errors resulting from geometric distortions and misalignments are also explored. By integrating theoretical innovations with practical applications, these studies provide practical insights that engineers and researchers can employ to enhance the capabilities and reliability of automation technologies.

Synergies between precision engineering and emerging fields, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber-physical systems, are expected to lead to transformative advances. We hope that this special issue will encourage continued collaboration across disciplines and foster technologies that not only meet current industry demands, but also anticipate future needs. The editors would like to thank all contributors and reviewers for their efforts to make this special issue a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and innovators in the global automation community.