Insider Brief
- Automate 2026 is shaping up to be a showcase for physical AI, with robotics companies using the event to unveil new robots, AI software, sensors and automation systems designed to operate more autonomously in real-world environments.
- Companies including Neura Robotics, ABB, FANUC, Kawasaki Robotics, Teradyne Robotics, RealSense, XELA Robotics and Inbolt plan to debut new physical AI technologies spanning cognitive robots, collaborative robots, AI-powered vision systems, tactile sensing and adaptive automation software.
- Warehouse automation and humanoid robots are also expected to be major themes, with Richtech Robotics, Stäubli and Omron introducing new material-handling systems while Automate hosts its first Humanoid Robot Forum and Humanoid Pavilion.
Automate 2026 is expected to draw more than 50,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors as manufacturers and technology companies increasingly look to AI and automation to address labor shortages, improve productivity and expand the capabilities of industrial robotics. The event’s keynote program will feature executives from companies including Siemens, FANUC, Schneider Electric, Cognex, Intrinsic and Standard Bots discussing industrial AI, workforce transformation and the growing role of physical AI in automation.
Physical AI is emerging as the defining theme with robotics companies using this week’s event in Chicago to unveil new robots, AI software, sensors and automation platforms designed to operate more autonomously in real-world environments.
One of the biggest developments at Automate 2026 is the addition of a dedicated Humanoid Robot Forum and Humanoid Pavilion. Humanoid robots remain a small portion of the industrial robotics market, but growing investment and recent advances in AI have accelerated interest from manufacturers, logistics operators and technology companies.
Across dozens of pre-show announcements, vendors are emphasizing systems that can perceive, reason and act rather than simply execute pre-programmed motions. The trend spans industrial robots, warehouse automation, humanoids, vision systems and robotics software.
Here are some of the technologies and product launches expected at Automate 2026.
Neura Robotics Expands Push Into Physical AI
Neura Robotics announced plans to showcase its full cognitive robotics portfolio, including its Neuraverse ecosystem and physical AI platform.
The company has emerged as one of Europe’s most closely watched robotics startups following a recent funding round of up to $1.4 billion. At Automate, Neura is expected to demonstrate how its robots combine perception, reasoning and manipulation capabilities within a unified software platform.
The company will also participate in the show’s Humanoid Robot Forum, highlighting the growing role of humanoid systems in industrial automation.
Kawasaki Robotics Debuts RL030N Robot
Kawasaki Robotics said it will use Automate 2026 to introduce the RL030N, an 8-axis industrial robot designed for applications that require greater flexibility and reach than traditional robotic arms. The platform is designed for physical AI applications where robots must adapt to changing environments and perform more complex movements.
ABB Robotics Brings New Cobots and Human-Aware Automation
ABB Robotics announced its plans to publicly debut its PoWa collaborative robot family at Automate. The company will also demonstrate a partnership with Aura Sensae that combines ABB’s GoFa collaborative robot with proximity-sensing technology designed to improve human-robot interaction and workplace safety.
FANUC Highlights Physical AI and New Collaborative Robot
FANUC America said will showcase several physical AI and AI-enabled robotics demonstrations at the show. The company also plans to introduce its CRX-3iA collaborative robot in a vertical-up welding application, highlighting how AI-powered systems can be deployed in manufacturing environments.
Additional demonstrations will focus on adaptive robotics, 3D vision and generative AI technologies.
Teradyne Robotics and Universal Robots Focus on Production AI
Teradyne Robotics, parent company of Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots, announced plans to showcase what it describes as production-ready physical AI applications. One featured demonstration combines Universal Robots cobots with AI vision technology to automate server-rack cabling, a task that typically requires significant human dexterity.
RealSense Introduces New Robotics Vision Platform
RealSense said it will unveil its D585 Pro depth camera and Perception Studio software platform. The company says the new hardware is designed to improve robotic perception for applications including navigation, object manipulation, inspection and human-robot interaction.
XELA Robotics Advances Robotic Touch Sensing
XELA Robotics announced it will introduce new tactile sensing capabilities designed to give robots a better understanding of physical contact. The technology allows robotic hands and grippers to detect pressure, force and touch interactions, helping robots handle delicate or irregular objects more effectively.
Inbolt Expands Vision-Based Robot Programming
Inbolt said it plans to demonstrate new vision-enabled robot programming tools designed to connect CAD-based robot workflows with real-world factory conditions. The company’s software uses AI vision to adjust robotic motion based on the actual position of parts and equipment, reducing the need for manual reprogramming.
Aptiv Targets Intelligent Edge Computing
Aptiv indicated it will showcase intelligent edge computing technologies designed for robotics and automation systems. The company markets its sensors, compute platforms and control technologies as infrastructure for next-generation physical AI applications.
Richtech Robotics
Richtech Robotics said it plans to debut an AI-powered pallet jack robot designed for warehouse material movement and logistics operations. The company will also demonstrate autonomous mobile robots and humanoid systems.
Stäubli Robotics
Stäubli will showcase the North American debut of its FL1500 autonomous forklift and introduce a new mast configuration designed for higher warehouse storage systems.
Omron Robotics
Omron announced plans to display the next generation of its LD autonomous mobile robot family, including the LD-150 and LD-300 platforms.
