AUTOMATE SHOW theater

Editor-in-Chief Linda Wilson recognizes the 2023 Vision Systems Design Innovators Awards honorees.

In modern robotic applications, space comes at a premium. Power density continues to be a leading factor in robotic applications, although it is often compromised by the cabling and hardware needed to implement the power and control systems. In this session we will explore how to simplify the design of a robotic joint without compromising performance, reliability, or advanced motion control features that normally come at the cost of bulky cabling and electronics by utilizing actuators with integrated servo drive technology.

Andrew Zucker

Mechatronics Engineer
Harmonic Drive LLC

Industrial Edge represents an open, ready-to-use Edge computing platform consisting of Edge devices, Edge apps, Edge connectivity, and an application and device management infrastructure. Industrial Edge brings edge computing to the manufacturing industry. With Industrial Edge for Machine Tools, end-customers have a simple, proven, and secure means of determining and evaluating the machine's data during operation. This allows them to unlock the full potential of the machine while reducing quality costs and even downtime. Now you can finally use this data to optimize production workflows, save resources and improve quality.

Chris Liu

Industrial Edge Product Marketing Manager
Siemens Industry, Inc

Gus Gremillion

Solutions Consultant - Machine Tool Digitalization
Siemens Industry Software Inc.

McKinsey notes the business value resulting from manufacturing use cases running on improved connectivity could generate up to $650 billion of GDP impact by 2030. That’s because the speed, latency, and device density that 5G connectivity brings can support numerous applications. However, when embracing 5G connectivity-driven smart manufacturing, the first question that comes to mind is, “Which use cases shall we implement first?” At an initial glance, this may seem straightforward, but much consideration needs to be made in selecting the cases that will make the largest impact with the simplest implementation. In this session, we will explore the journey Ericsson went through to select, prioritize and deploy impactful cellular-enabled use cases in its USA smart factory using a private cellular network. We’ll evaluate the build vs. buy decision-making process, vendor selection process, and the agile work methods that enabled a successful implementation.

David Hart

Director Business Development, Manufacturing
Ericsson

New developments in artificial intelligence have been making big headlines. Bing, ChatGPT, Baird, and other large-language models (LLMs) are changing how we interact with data and information. It’s already clear that these new developments will have vast implications in finance, healthcare, and software development. But what will be the impact to manufacturing? We will explore this question with these experts and discuss how LLMs and other AI advances will change the game in automation.

Debejyo Chakraborty

Staff Researcher
General Motors Global Research and Development

Johan Reimann

Principal Scientist, AI and Machine Learning
GE Research

Rajat Gupta

Sr. Director, Business Development - AI & Emerging Technologies
Microsoft

While industrial automation in some form or fashion has been around since water wheels, robotic automation began around 50 years ago. Since that time, robotic automation, whether robotic arms, AGVs, fulfillment AMRs, or fixed automation, has been primarily confined to a single task. We are now beginning the era of automation with humanoid robots that are designed to operate in any place in the world designed for humans and automate any task that humans don’t want to do. Attend this session to learn why humanoid robots are the only automation solution not limited to what they do today but also not limited to what they can do five years from now.

Jeff Cardenas

Co-founder and CEO
Apptronik

Sponsored by FANUC 

What is the #1 concern of all Manufacturing CEO’s?.... Workforce and Talent development!

FANUC America is helping create robotic and CNC pathways that align industry talent needs with educational programs at more than 1,500 schools across the nation. The goal of these partnerships is to introduce and inspire students from all ages and backgrounds (The Automation Generation) to seek exciting, rewarding, and high-demand automation career opportunities.  Students will learn industry robotics, CNC, 4.0 technologies and earn industry certifications, becoming highly sought after for a variety of roles, such as operators, technicians, engineers, managers, sales, service, field techs, installation specialists, technical support, and process experts.

Please join us for this engaging panel conversation from leading education professionals that are helping to inspire our next generation workforce – The Automation Generation!

Anne Gielczyk

Vice President
Nocti Business Solutions

Annmarie Danko

Utica Stevenson Schools

Breann Klug

Execution Manager - CERT Education
FANUC

Cynthia Hutchison

CEO
US Center of Advanced Manufacturing

Paul Aiello

Executive Director of Education
FANUC America Corporation

Sherri McCleary

Executive Director
Penn State

Stacey Harimoto

FANUC Engineer
FANUC America Corporation

Co-sponsored by the International Federation of Robotics 

New technologies. New opportunities. New challenges. Join us for an in-depth discussion with some of the top leaders in the automation industry as we explore the state of the automation and robotics industry in North America. We will discuss the top trends that are driving automation and what the industry may face on the road forward. 

Bernd Raithel

Director Product Management
Siemens Industry Inc.

John Bubnikovich

U.S. Country Lead Robotics & Discrete Automation
ABB Robotics

Mike Cicco

President and CEO
FANUC America Corporation

Rebecca Yeung

Corporate Vice President, Operations Science and Advanced Technology
FedEx Corporation

Hosted by Phoenix Contact
Don’t miss your chance to see today’s hottest new companies in robotics and automation—all in one place. The ten finalists will go head-to-head at the Automate Show Theater, pitching their technology solution and vying for a $10,000 cash prize! 

OPENING FIRESIDE CHAT: "BUILDING A ROBOTIC UNICORN: Eliot Horowitz, Viam, and Oliver Mitchell, ff Venture Capital

JUDGES: Jack Nehlig, Phoenix Contact; Abe Murray, Alley Robotics Ventures | AlleyCorp; Andrew Gollach, SOSV; Oliver Mitchell, ff Venture Capital; and Elizabeth Onasanya, Lockheed 

THE 10 FINALISTS:

• Citizen Robotics: citizenrobotics.org
• Deepview Corp.: www.deepviewai.com
• Easy Floor Robotics: www.EasyFloorRobotics.com
• ESTAT Actuation: www.estat.tech
• Khenda: www.khenda.com
• Parrots: www.flyparrots.com/
• Sensable, Inc: www.getsensable.com
• Sokul Automation: www.sokulautomation.com
• Spin Robotics: www.spin-robotics.com
• Voaige: www.voaige.com/

Abe Murray

General Partner
Alley Robotics Ventures | AlleyCorp

Andrew Gollach

Principal
SOSV

Eliot Horowitz

CEO & Founder
Viam

Elizabeth Onasanya

Senior Investment Analyst
Lockheed Martin Ventures

Oliver Mitchell

Partner
ff Venture Capital

Get an edge with the latest data from the automation industry.  This session will be broken into three 20-minute talks covering:

• The latest automation market statistics and trends
• A deeper look at growth opportunities for automation
• The latest automation and manufacturing forecasts

Alex Shikany

Vice President - Membership & Market Intelligence
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Blake Griffin

Research Manager
Interact Analysis

Robert McElmurry

Director of Market Intelligence
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. 

The transition to emerging and advanced technologies is redefining manufacturing from the ground floor up. By leveraging a cross-collaborative approach, Team Michigan has established partnerships through its Industry 4.0 initiative to implement, empower and prepare small and medium-sized manufacturers to successfully navigate and thrive within the changing landscape of manufacturing technology. This panel, comprised of the state’s biggest I4.0 players, will discuss the benefits and challenges of deploying and transitioning to I4.0 technologies and how state support and resources can help to ensure today’s manufacturers continue to thrive into tomorrow. 

Cynthia Hutchison

CEO
US Center of Advanced Manufacturing

Heidi Devroy

CEO
Prosper-Tech Machine & Tool LLC

Ingrid Tighe

President
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center

Natalie Chmiko

SVP, Small Business Solutions
Michigan Economic Development Corporation

TD Cowen will provide a 2 part discussion around the investment landscape in robotics. Kicking off the presentation, Joe Giordano, Managing Director, Diversified Industrials, Automation & Robotics, will discuss how Wall Street/investors are thinking about the current trends and market dynamics that are impacting the sector. Peter Finn, Managing Director, Industrial Technology, will then speak about the challenges and opportunities facing companies operating in the sector amidst continued uncertainty for M&A and private and public capital raising and will share perspectives on anticipated activity for this year and beyond.

Joseph Giordano

Managing Director
TD Cowen

Peter Finn

Managing Director
TD Cowen

Sponsored by Robotiq

Have you been struggling to find qualified workers for your production line? Join us to know how cobot application solutions can help you tackle labor shortages quickly and easily.

Kendra Patton

Key Account Manager Americas, Palletizing
Robotiq

Silas Robertson

SVP Sales and Marketing
Applied Automation Group

The job market is tough.  Finding experienced engineers is either impossible or not affordable.   The good news is there is a solution.   Newly graduated engineers can produce for your organization faster than you can imagine.   Building your bench with a graduate engineer helps to build your business from the ground up. Recruiting college graduates has been a necessary step in building a business for generations.  Identifying fresh talent with newly learned skills is important and -- with the internship and co-op experience -- these students have made them valuable employees from day one.  The job market for graduate engineers is just as red-hot. But landing that “star” graduate just takes a few steps.  

3P Mechatronics group has 35+ years of experience born out of Compumotor in 1986, expanded into EnginPro, and has placed over 800 graduate engineers into the industry. Learn more about the success of bringing on college engineering graduates. 

Katie Surkamer

President
3P Mechatronics Group

Canada has world-class robotics academic institutions -- as well as a robust startup robotics community. However, Canada lags behind in terms of the adoption of robotics - reaching only 18th out of the top 20 economies for adoption. This stifles the growth of the robotics community in Canada. There are several opportunities to increase awareness, education and growth of automation in Canada. Come listen to leaders of the Canadian Robotics Council ( a newly formed council to help Canadians benefit from robotics) discuss different ways to expand adoption, create opportunities, and kickstart the growth of automation in Canada.

Pablo Molina

Chairman, CTO, VP of Product & Co-Founder
Avidbots

Ryan Gariepy

CTO / Co-Founder
Clearpath/OTTO Motors

Steven Green

VP Industrial Markets
Kinova Robotics

Details to come

Robert McElmurry

Director of Market Intelligence
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)