Humanoid robots are getting a lot of attention. Fueled by embodied AI, the technology is progressing quickly. It’s used across many types of robotics, but it’s the humanoid robot demos we see going viral. The potential is undeniable. The real question is where it delivers real value.
At Automate 2026, you can do more than watch demos. You can evaluate the technology, understand where it fits into the real world, and see how quickly it’s evolving.
That experience starts in the Humanoid Robot Pavilion — and goes deeper at the Humanoid Robot Forum.
What is embodied AI, and why does it matter?
Embodied AI is artificial intelligence that can perceive, decide, and act in the physical world through a robotic system.
Instead of software that only processes data, these systems:
- Perceive their environment
- Make decisions in real time
- Take action through movement and manipulation
That combination is what makes humanoid robots so compelling — and so complex to scale.
The Humanoid Robot Pavilion is where many attendees will get their first real look at embodied AI in action.
What can you see at the Humanoid Robot Pavilion at Automate 2026?
Where humanoids meet the real world
Located in the North Building — the hub for AI, software, and emerging tech — the Humanoid Robot Pavilion, sponsored by NVIDIA, is the center of humanoid activity on the show floor.
What you’ll experience
- Live, multi-task demos
Watch humanoids perform across mobility, manipulation, and perception — often switching between tasks. - Up-close interaction
See how systems respond in real time — including edge cases, failures, and adjustments. - Pavilion theater sessions
Short, focused talks from exhibitors covering roadmaps, use cases, and deployment realities. - Open access
The pavilion is free to all registered attendees, making it the easiest way to get hands-on with the technology.
How do you evaluate a humanoid robot?
Seeing a humanoid in action is one thing. Knowing what you’re looking at is another.
Use this framework as you explore:
- Task versatility
One scripted task, or multiple real-world applications? - Autonomy vs. assistance
Independent operation or guided behind the scenes? - Consistency
Reliable performance or noticeable variability? - Environment flexibility
Controlled setup or adaptable to change? - Human interaction
Safe, effective operation around people?
This is where the pavilion becomes more than a demo space. It becomes a way to assess real-world readiness.
“The future is basically that through cognitive abilities, we are enabling robotics to be used by non-programmers. Because if you look at the world, you will see that 99% of the world is not programmers.” - David Reger, Founder and CEO, NEURA Robotics
Why humanoids — and when they make sense
Humanoid robots aren’t designed to replace every form of automation. They’re built for a specific gap.
Where they stand out:
- Built for human environments, without major redesign
- Able to handle varied, non-repetitive tasks
- Useful where flexibility matters more than speed
Where they don’t (yet):
- High-speed, high-volume production
- Highly structured, repetitive workflows
- Applications where traditional automation is already optimized
Understanding that distinction is key — and exactly what the Humanoid Robot Forum is designed to explore.
What’s accelerating humanoid robotics right now?
It’s not just one breakthrough advancing Humanoid robots. It’s several technologies maturing at the same time.
- Simulation and synthetic data are speeding up training
- Advances in AI models for perception and control
- Improved mobility and actuation systems
- Growing investment and real-world pilots
Together, these shifts are moving humanoids closer to practical deployment — and setting the stage for the deeper conversations happening at the Humanoid Robot Forum.
"In a world where AI for robotics actually does rapidly expand our capability set for the robot, you have to be thinking about both things. You have to be building out the generalist robot models that enable your customers to easily train them to do any task in their facility." - Aya Durbin, Boston Dynamics
What will you learn at the Humanoid Robot Forum?
Seeing the technology is step one. Understanding how it delivers value is next.
The Humanoid Robot Forum is designed to close that gap. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into industrial applications, you can explore how humanoid robots are being used in manufacturing environments today.
Event details:
- When: June 23–24, 2026 (afternoon sessions)
- Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- Access: Included with an Automate All-Access Conference Pass or separate registration
What you’ll gain:
- A clearer view of what’s working — and what’s not
- Insight into how AI and simulation are shaping development
- A more grounded understanding of where humanoids can deliver ROI
Speaker highlights:
Hear directly from leaders shaping the future of embodied AI:
- Aya Durbin, Humanoid Project Manager, Boston Dynamics
Moving humanoid robotics from controlled environments to real-world deployment - David Reger, Founder and CEO, NEURA Robotics
Shaping cognitive robotics and enabling more adaptive, collaborative robotic systems - Aadeel Akhtar, CEO and Founder, PSYONIC
Applying advanced bionics and human-centered robotics design in real-world settings - Erin McColl, Director, Robotics Technology Adoption, Toyota Research Institute
Driving adoption of robotics technologies in real-world environments - Jeff Cardenas, Co-founder, CEO, Apptronik
Building humanoid robots for real-world and industrial applications
Who should explore humanoid robotics at Automate?
- Operations leaders evaluating future automation
- Engineers exploring flexible robotics solutions
- Executives tracking long-term investment trends
- Anyone trying to separate signal from hype
“The important thing is, you know, it's still the beginning of humanoids getting out into the world. And so there's still a lot to learn and to mature in order to have, you know, fully commercially ready humanoid robots.” - Erin McColl, Toyota Research Institute
What questions should you ask exhibitors and speakers?
To get more out of Automate, go beyond the demo:
- What tasks is this robot actually deployed for today?
- What does setup and training look like?
- How is performance measured?
- What are the biggest limitations right now?
- What needs to improve before this scales?
These conversations are where the real insights happen.
See it. Understand it. Apply it.
Humanoid robots are evolving quickly — but understanding them requires more than a quick look.
- Start in the Humanoid Robot Pavilion to see embodied AI in action.
- Go deeper at the Humanoid Robot Forum to understand how it translates to real-world value.
At Automate, you don’t just see what’s next. You learn how to make sense of it.
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