The future of automation returns to Chicago with 1,000+ exhibitors and 200 speakers

Automate Show brings high-level insights on robotics, physical AI, vision systems and industrial automation
May 5, 2026
2 min read

Key Highlights

  • Automate 2026 in Chicago will be a massive industry hub featuring exhibitors and speakers focusing on the intersection of robotics, AI and motion control.
  • The event highlights technical applications, including the use of digital twins for complex control challenges and the convergence of vision and AI for industrial systems.
  • Beyond the technology, the show emphasizes industry leadership and community through the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards and specialized networking forums for physical AI and empowerment of women.
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Automate 2026 takes place June 22-25 in Chicago. Record-breaking attendance is expected. More than 50,000 visitors will visit 1,000+ exhibitors on the show floor and listen to presentations by more than 200 speakers (Figure 1).

Figure 1: More than 50,000 visitors will visit 1,000+ exhibitors on the show floor and listen to presentations by more than 200 speakers.

Figure 1: More than 50,000 visitors will visit 1,000+ exhibitors on the show floor and listen to presentations by more than 200 speakers.

Figure 2: Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event.

Figure 2: Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event.

Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event. From artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to motion control and vision systems, there's something for every engineer at Automate (Figure 2).

The show is hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), which represents more than 1,400 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision and imaging, motion control and motors (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The Automate Show is hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), which represents more than 1,400 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision and imaging, motion control and motors.

Figure 3: The Automate Show is hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), which represents more than 1,400 organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision and imaging, motion control and motors.

This year's event also will include a two-day Human Robot Forum, which will dive deep into the development, deployment and commercialization of physical AI; and, on June 23, the Women's Empowerment Forum and the Latin American Business Networking Reception will take place.

On June 25, the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards dinner and ceremony will honor Hiroshi Fujiwara, executive director of the Japan Robot Association (JARA), and Robert Little, co-founder of ATI Industrial Automation and founder of Robert Little Robotics.

Here's a taste of what you can expect at Automate 2026.

Podcast: Interview with Robert Little, 2026 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award winner for application

Articles from Automate Show presenters

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About the Author

Mike Bacidore
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Mike Bacidore

Editor in Chief

Mike Bacidore is chief editor of Control Design and has been an integral part of the Endeavor Business Media editorial team since 2007. Previously, he was editorial director at Hughes Communications and a portfolio manager of the human resources and labor law areas at Wolters Kluwer. Bacidore holds a BA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is an award-winning columnist, earning multiple regional and national awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. He may be reached at [email protected] 

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