Automation engineers, industry veterans, and curious newcomers joined us at Automate 2025. The energy was incredible, and the questions and conversations were even better. In fact, we're still thinking about what we heard.
These weren't your standard cost and timeline questions (though we heard those, too). These were the probing, strategic inquiries that show where our industry is heading. Six months into 2025, these six questions continue to drive conversations — and decisions — across industries.
1. IS AI READY FOR THE SHOW FLOOR?
The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) dominated booth conversations throughout the show. But as A3’s Brian Heater noted in his recent takeaways article, these conversations have shifted from asking about the hype to understanding how it works in production environments.
Companies like NVIDIA and Schneider Electric showed up with more than marketing materials. They brought deployment case studies, ROI data, and insightful discussions about current limitations alongside proven successes.
Looking ahead: We've moved past theoretical discussions about the feasibility of AI in manufacturing. The question is now the implementation strategy. That shift represents major progress for the entire sector.
2. WHAT DOES ”COLLABORATIVE” ACTUALLY MEAN TODAY?
Traditionally, collaborative robotics (cobots) focuses on how to work alongside humans safely. But the cobots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) we saw on the show floor were doing that and more. They were actively figuring out and showcasing how to work better with their human colleagues.
We saw smart sensors that anticipate what you need next, vision systems that adapt to individual work styles, and robots that remember your preferences. With these advancements, the term “collaborative” is taking on a new meaning of what is possible.
Looking ahead: Human-robot collaboration is maturing rapidly. The next phase isn't about robots replacing workers — it's about creating powerful human-robot partnerships that neither could achieve alone.
3. WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO START AUTOMATING?
The important thing to note about this question is that it isn’t about "should we automate?" but "when?" This often came up with smaller to mid-sized businesses who are debating whether or not to take the next step.
The great news is that automation is much more accessible, especially for smaller operations. Modular systems, low-code robotics platforms, plug-and-play integrations, and proven frameworks remove many of the traditional barriers. The key is to start with one simple, high-impact project and not get overwhelmed by the scope of possibilities.
Looking ahead: Every year you wait, automation gets more tangible while labor costs rise. By getting started now, you can see a return on investment while building competitive advantages that compound over time.
4. HOW “PLUG-AND-PLAY” ARE PLUG-AND-PLAY SOLUTIONS?
This question is common, especially from smaller teams and first-time automation adopters. Everyone wants that magical "unbox it, plug it in, watch it work" experience, but the reality is usually more complicated.
At Automate, exhibitors demonstrated that off-the-shelf solutions are not just about making hardware easier to set up — they're rethinking the entire user experience. Think drag-and-drop programming, intuitive visual interfaces that make sense, and setup processes that don't require a PhD in robotics.
Looking ahead: The automation companies that win the next decade will be the ones that make their tech feel as intuitive as your smartphone. Complexity under the hood is fine, but the surface had better be simple.
5. HOW ARE GLOBAL ECONOMICS CHANGING OUR AUTOMATION STRATEGY?
Nobody was dancing around this topic. Tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and reshoring — they're reshaping how companies think about automation ROI and risk management.
The conversations were refreshingly honest: automation isn't just about efficiency anymore. It's about resilience, flexibility, and reducing dependence on unpredictable global supply chains.
Looking ahead: While companies may want to wait to invest in or expand their automation mix, there are cost and strategic advantages to leveraging it. For example, independence from supply chain chaos and labor shortages.
6. ARE WE TRAINING PEOPLE FOR JOBS THAT WILL EXIST?
The skills gap and workforce development remain hot topics. It’s why we invest so heavily in education and programs for the next generation onsite. Between the Education Pavilion, Student Challenge, A3 Educator Day, and student tours, it was clear that everyone is thinking about the talent pipeline.
The jobs we're creating today bear little resemblance to the manufacturing jobs of even five years ago. We need people who can work alongside AI, troubleshoot autonomous systems, and think creatively about human-robot collaboration.
Looking ahead: The skills gap isn't going away — it's evolving. The companies and schools that get ahead of this curve will have a massive advantage.
LET’S KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS TO DRIVE PROGRESS
With great questions come great conversations. Every "what if" and "how do we" exchange represents a problem someone is going to solve, a product someone is going to build, and a breakthrough that's going to change how we think about the way we work.
The great part is that we're all figuring it out together. The startup founder with the out-there idea, the seasoned engineer with decades of experience, the student who's never seen a factory floor — they're all asking questions. And we’re all benefitting from the answers.
If you want to dive in more, check out Automate REWIND for full sessions, panel discussions, and all the floor demos that had everyone talking.
« View All Blogs
Privacy Settings