Automate 2026 Breaks Attendance Records

Robots are taking over trade shows. But not in a scary, sci-fi way. With the demand for AI and automation growing, events focused on this technology are naturally expanding in size.

Look at Automate 2026.

North America’s largest robotics and automation event was held June 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago, bringing together more than 50,000 attendees—the best attended Automate ever—and 1,230 exhibitors. Last year, the show welcomed more than 45,000 visitors and 900-plus exhibitors in Detroit. That equals roughly an 11% increase in attendance year over year.

The 10th edition of the event filled 425,000 square feet of show floor space with robotics and automation technologies.

The event was held at McCormick Place in Chicago. Photo: Courtesy of A3

There was roughly an 11% increase in attendance year over year. Photo: Courtesy of A3

Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), Automate showcases the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, motion control, and industrial automation.

“Automate 2026 was the strongest show we have ever had, not just in size, but in the quality of the technology, conversations, and connections taking place across the show floor,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “The energy in Chicago was incredible. From humanoid robots and industrial AI to machine vision, motion control, autonomous mobile robots, and industrial automation systems, attendees saw firsthand how quickly this industry is moving and how much opportunity lies ahead.”

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global industrial automation market size was estimated at $272.51 billion in 2025. The market is expected to rise from $299.21 billion in 2026 to $632.12 billion by 2034.

The 10th edition of the event filled 425,000 square feet of show floor space with robotics and automation technologies. Photo: Courtesy of A3

More than 50,000 attendees gathered at this year’s Automate. Photo: Courtesy of A3

The four-day event included 200-plus speakers including leaders from Cognex, FANUC America, Intrinsic, Schneider Electric, Siemens Digital Industries, and Standard Bots and more than 140 conference sessions focused on the trends shaping automation, including industrial AI, workforce transformation, robotics adoption, U.S. competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and the expanding use of automation beyond traditional manufacturing.

Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher and long-time Bears radio voice Jeff Joniak also presented a leadership conversation.

One of the biggest draws at Automate 2026 was humanoid robotics. The show featured a dedicated Humanoid Robot Pavilion, sponsored by NVIDIA, where attendees could see a range of humanoid robots and related enabling technologies.

Boston Dynamics’ Spot, an agile, quadrupedal robot, was on site. Photo: Courtesy of A3

Middle and high school robotics teams competed in daily contests on the show floor. Photo: Courtesy of A3

For the first time, A3 hosted the Humanoid Robot Forum during Automate, a paid conference program that attracted 1,100-plus registrants with sessions focused on humanoid robot development, deployment, and real-world applications.

Attendees were also able to explore robotics systems, AI-enabled automation, autonomous mobile robots, machine vision, motion control, sensing, software, end-of-arm tooling, safety technologies, and other industrial automation solutions used across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, food production, energy, and other sectors.

New this year, the A3 NextGen Theater featured sessions on curriculum, career pathways, hiring, and talent development for students, educators, and employers.

For those that missed the event, Automate Rewind is a digital library that features recordings of keynote sessions, theater talks, Automate Live interviews, and exhibitor spotlights.

Automate 2027 will take place in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center, May 10-13, 2027.

Sponsored by Harmonic Drive, the show theater featured sessions with thought leaders and industry experts from Dell Technologies, General Motors, Intel, Mayo Clinic, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and more. Photo: Courtesy of A3

Attendees were able to see next-generation autonomous mobile robots in motion, including live demonstrations of multi-vendor fleets coordinating in real time. Photo: Courtesy of A3