Automate 2026 is set to take over Chicago’s McCormick Place from June 22-25, bringing together the largest showcase of robotics, automation, and AI in North America. Featuring more than 1,000+ exhibits and four stages, this guide is here to help you zero in on the must-see sessions, demos, and experiences that define this year’s show.
The Main Stages
Exhibits are only part of what’s happening on the show floor. Whether you’re drawn to groundbreaking research, product launches, or leadership spotlights, these stages connect you directly with the innovators shaping automation.
The Keynote Stage
Each morning at 9 a.m., The Keynote Stage kicks off Automate 2026 with high-impact sessions that set the tone for the day. Expect visionary leaders from across robotics, AI, manufacturing, and automation to share insights that will shape the next decade of technology. See the speaker lineup to start planning your schedule.
The Automate Show Theater
The Automate Show Theater is the hub for thought leadership and expert insights on the most important industry topics. Plus, it’s the site of the Startup Challenge, a must-see event happening Tuesday that showcases breakthrough ideas from emerging automation companies. If you’re scouting partnerships or looking to spot the next big trend in robotics and automation, this is where those ideas first take the stage.
The Automate Innovation Stage
If you’re curious about how AI and machine learning are reshaping robotics, or eager to see the newest hardware and software launches before they hit the market, this is your destination. The Automate Innovation Stage offers 30-minute rapid-fire talks that deliver insights and live demos from leading exhibitors advancing the landscape of automation.
A3 NextGen Theater
Located in the Education Pavilion, the A3 NextGen Theater is dedicated to the people shaping automation’s future. Focused on workforce development and the evolving career landscape, this stage connects educators, employers, and emerging talent in conversations about building the next generation of robotics and automation professionals.
Must-See Robotics Demos
Automate 2026 brings some of the most compelling live demonstrations in the industry. Whether you’re attending the show for humanoid systems, autonomous mobile robots, student-built machines or more, this is the section to bookmark.
The NVIDIA Humanoid Robot Pavilion
New for 2026, this is the show’s can’t-miss attraction. The Humanoid Robot Pavilion puts embodied AI and general-purpose robotics in the spotlight, giving attendees a closer look at the humanoids as they adapt in real time.
Automate AMR Demo Area
For attendees interested in logistics and material handling, the Automate AMR Demo Area, located at Booth #24040 in the North Building, offers a live environment where autonomous mobile robots navigate obstacles, respond to traffic, and coordinate movement in real time. It’s one of the best ways to see how robotics performs outside the lab.
The Automate Student Challenge
Located in the Education Pavilion, the Automate Student Challenge showcases robotics and automation projects from the next generation of engineers. It’s a great stop for anyone who wants to see fresh ideas in action and get a look at where the talent pipeline is headed.
Exhibitor Floor Highlights
Beyond the dedicated demo areas, check out 1,000+ exhibitors across the show floor showcasing everything from classic automation applications to emerging technologies. Here are just a few of the exhibitors you’ll see at Automate 2026:
- FANUC America Corporation: A longtime leader in factory automation, FANUC is known for robotics, CNC systems, and solutions that support high-precision manufacturing like welding, material handling, and more. Find them on the show floor at booths #1001, #1401, and #32051.
- Cognex Corporation: Cognex brings machine vision and inspection technology to the floor, with solutions focused on AI-powered 3D vision, quality control, and automated guidance for modern production environments. See them at booth #3101.
- Foth: Foth develops custom engineering and automation solutions designed to solve complex manufacturing challenges, helping companies improve production, integration, and operational efficiency. Find them at booth #4240 on the show floor.
Deep Dive Sessions
The Automate Conference
Go beyond the show floor demos with more than 140 sessions built to help you plan, implement, and scale automation with confidence. In classroom-style sessions, learn from practitioners tackling real-world challenges and walk away with practical frameworks and proven strategies you can use right away. Explore the agenda and find the sessions that match where you are — and where you want to go next.
The Humanoid Robot Forum
Take a deeper dive into what’s working now with two days of more focused humanoid robotics sessions. Hear directly from the founders and innovators shaping this space, and walk away with practical insight you can apply at The Humanoid Robot Forum. Separate registration and fees apply.
The Daily Schedule
Planning your day at Automate starts with the official show schedule. You’ll get a clear view of keynotes, stage suggestions, demonstrations, and special events across each day of the show, so you can map out your time with ease:
| Monday, June 22, 2026 |
|---|
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Automate Conference Open*
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM CT Keynote Speaker
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Show Floor Open
5:15 PM - 7:30 PM CT Automate Networking Party*
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
|---|
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM CT Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Automate Conference Open*
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM CT Keynote Speaker
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Show Floor Open
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
|---|
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM CT Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Automate Conference Open*
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM CT Keynote Speaker
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Show Floor Open
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT Certified Vision Professional (CVP) Basic Exam*
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CT Certified Motion Control Professional (CMCP) Basic Exam*
5:15 PM - 8:30 PM CT Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards Dinner and Ceremony*
| Friday, June 26, 2026 |
|---|
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM CT Certified Vision Professional Advanced Course
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT Certified Vision Professional (CVP) Advanced Exam*
For a deeper look at the sessions, use the speaker/session list and conference agenda. These tools make it easy to filter by topics, explore speaker details, and build a schedule around your top priorities.
Pro-Tips for Planning Your Automate Schedule
A little planning goes a long way at Automate. The bigger sessions, especially the keynotes, can fill up quickly, so prepare to arrive at least 15 minutes early to get settled and avoid missing the opening moments.
For a smoother experience, it also helps to group sessions by location and leave a little buffer between events. That way, you’ll have time to move between stages and still make the most of every stop on your agenda.
The best way to stay organized is by using the “My Show” planner. You can bookmark specific stage times, track the sessions you want to attend, and build a schedule that keeps you moving throughout the show.
Make the Most of Automate 2026
Whether you’re here for the robotics demos, conference sessions, forums, technical stages, or a little bit of everything, Automate 2026 is where the future of work happens. It’s the place to see the latest automation breakthroughs, discover what’s coming next in robotics and AI, and experience the ideas shaping the industry in real time.
Register now or upgrade to an All-Access Pass that includes the Humanoid Robot Forum to get the full Automate experience.
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