Automate Show 2024 focuses on robotics, AI and more

From May 6 to 9 this year, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) welcomed the North American manufacturing industry to the Automate Show for four days of technology showcases, education, trending discussions, networking and more. With ever-increasing interest in the latest technologies, the show was announced as an annual event in 2023 instead of the previous alternate-year schedule.

A3 shared that the 2024 show had 40,000+ registrants and over 800 exhibits, making it the largest show in the event’s history. More than 250 speakers shared their expertise during the four-day event, leaving every attendee with something to think about.

With a sharp focus on every aspect of automation, exhibitors featured products from a vast range of categories, including additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, data systems, industrial controls, drives, IIoT, material handling, motion control, software, vision systems and more.

Check out the snapshots from the show floor.

The show’s education component was on par with the trade show exhibition, featuring discussions on topics such as AI applications, automation safety, robotics, cybersecurity, machine vision and inspection, logistics and supply chain automation and emerging applications, to name a few.

The event kicked off with a featured keynote each day, inspiring attendees to take in the variety of automation technologies displayed on the show floor. Del Costy, president and managing director of Siemens Digital Industries focussed on sustainable automation technology during his keynote address. He explained that the world needs digital transformation platform that makes things easy. MIT Professor Daniela Rus offered the opening keynote on the third day of the show, spotlighting the potential of robotics technologies and sharing her insights on how pervasive robots can help people with physical and cognitive tasks. Wendy Tan White, CEO of Intrinsic (an Alphabet company) offered the keynote on the final day of the show on the topic ‘Realizing the value of AI in industrial automation.’ Tan White discussed AI’s transformative impact on robotics and how emerging technologies evolve into practical applications.

Collaboration was an important aspect of the technology showcases. Companies with different types of expertise partnered to offer advanced solutions to potential customers. Automation cannot be imagined without robotics. While traditional robots and collaborative robots still captured the attention of the attendees, the capabilities of autonomous mobile robots were also on full display at the tradeshow. Also seen on the floor were two humanoid robots!

AI is still a major part of the conversation in the industry. This year, attendees were introduced to the vast scope of applications for AI. It is no secret that data is a very powerful tool for every manufacturer. Automate exhibitors demonstrated the different means to collect and analyze data and use it to their advantage.

Attending in-person events open up opportunities to network. The Automate Show networking reception in the evening of May 6 was standing room only as exhibitors, attendees, speakers and show hosts mingled over food and drinks to exchange their insights and share their experiences.