Largest Automate on record opens in Chicago on Monday May 6th

Automate, North America’s largest automation tradeshow, opens next week, May 6-9, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. This year’s event will be the largest Automate to-date—according to the show’s host, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 anticipates more than 35,000 attendees with more than 800 exhibitors occupying 325,000 square feet of exhibitor space. The tradeshow is free for anyone ages 12 and older interested in robotics and automation.

“We’re excited to be back in Chicago with our record-breaking event that is more than twice as large as our last show in Chicago in 2019,” said Jeff Burnstein, A3 President. “Our emphasis is on showcasing the latest robotics and automation products and solutions for companies in every industry seeking to remain competitive in this era of labor shortages. The Automate Conference, our biggest yet with over 140 presentations, provides practical information for new users on how to get started as well as for current users looking to expand their applications of robotics, machine vision, motion control, and artificial intelligence.”

2024 Highlights

In addition to more than 800 exhibitor booths, Automate offers attendees unique panels and keynote sessions with industry, technology, and business experts. Here are some of the sessions and events:

• Billy Beane, Former Executive Vice President of the Oakland Athletics, will present Moneyball: Lessons for Life and Business. Beane will convey his innovative, winning style of management and leadership, which involves identifying undervalued assets to create and sustain a competitive advantage companies can use in their everyday business operations.
• Del Costy, President and Managing Director, Siemens Digital Industries, will showcase how growing companies can harness cutting-edge technologies while also revealing how these innovations can be seamlessly integrated into existing, or brownfield, operations.
• Daniela Rus, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, will present “One Robot for Any Task.” The last 60 years have defined the field of industrial robots and empowered hard-bodied robots to execute complex assembly tasks in constrained industrial settings. The next 60 years could be ushering in pervasive robots that come in a diversity of forms and materials, helping people with physical and cognitive tasks across a wide spectrum of jobs and industries.
• Wendy Tan White, CEO of Intrinsic, an Alphabet company, will present “Realizing the Value of AI in Industrial Automation.” In industrial manufacturing, robots are costly and complex tools. This presentation explores how the ubiquitous rise of AI is redefining the potential for innovation and growth across entire industries.

Annual favorites

Each year attendees enjoy Automate’s networking events, including the opening reception and prestigious Engelberger Awards, as well as educational sessions such as the IFR Roundtable and NextGen Student Tour day. Other favorites include:

The Show Theatre – free to all attendees – includes thought leaders and panels of industry experts discussing the hottest issues in automation today, such as artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, cybersecurity and global market trends, just to name a few.

The Automate Startup Challenge spotlights early-stage companies in robotics and automation as they go head-to-head pitching their technology solution to a panel of industry-expert judges. The finalists will vie for the $10,000 cash prize and the coveted title of Startup Challenge winner.

AMR Technology Demonstrations features the latest in autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology up close and personal, during live demonstrations on the show floor.

New this year

Automate 2024 has added several new events and attractions to educate and inspire attendees. In addition to a new and sold out Innovation Stage, attendees won’t want to miss:

Automate 2024 Empowerment Forum: Women Leading Change. This event is designed to bring women in the automation industry together to share their experiences and aspirations, as well as build valuable connections and leadership skills.

The Automate Innovation Awards is a prestigious event recognizing and celebrating the latest innovations pushing the boundaries of technology and creating a better world for us all. The winners will receive the Automate Innovation Award trophy and be spotlighted on the Automate Show website.

Educator Day brings industry and members of the education community together to share best practices on educating, inspiring and preparing the next generation of the robotics and automation workforce.

A3 hosts a number of industry-leading events, including the International Robot Safety Conference (October 1–3, 2024, Cincinnati, OH); the Humanoid Robot Forum (October 7, 2024, Memphis, TN); the Autonomous Mobile Robots & Logistics Conference (October 8–10, 2024, Memphis, TN); AI & Smart Automation Conference (November 12-13, 2024, Atlanta, GA), A3 Business Forum (January 20-22, 2025).