The organizers of Automate 2024 expect this year’s conference and trade show to be the largest yet.
Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the robotics and automation event showcases the latest solutions in robotics, vision, artificial intelligence, motion control and related automation technologies.
More than 30,000 registrants, 200 speakers and more than 800 exhibitors the trade show and conference will this year take place at McCormick Place, in Chicago (May 6-9, 2024).
Learn About the Current State of Robotics Markets
No analyst can foretell the exact extent to which record attendance—or for that matter, the pace of automation—will impact manufacturing decision-making. But the event provides a hub where attendees can assess how market forces meet innovative automation and robotics that are seeping into the broader production processes.
Data from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) paint a seemingly ominous picture on the current state of robotics in the United States.
READ MORE: Robots Open World of Opportunities for A3 President
After record orders in both 2021 and 2022, robot sales in North American declined by 30% in 2023, reported A3. Companies purchased 31,159 robots in 2023, compared to 44,196 ordered in 2022 and 39,708 in 2021. These orders represent automotive (15,723 robots sold) and non-automotive companies (15,436 robots sold).
A3 stated in a press release that these figures represent a 34% drop in sales to automotive OEMs and automotive suppliers over 2022 and a 25% total decrease in all other industries.
What’s Behind the Numbers?
In the accompanying video, A3 President Jeff Burnstein contextualizes the robotics outlook over the past year, and also shares his expectations for this year’s Automate event.
Burnstein elaborated on the implications of the following topline trends for the U.S. markets:
- Technology and AI: AI takes on Manufacturing’s “Unsolvable” Challenges
- Industry Growth and Business Impact: Robotics and Automation Accelerating Adoption and ROI
- R&D and Innovation: Mobile Robots and Collaborative Robots are Driving Industrial Innovation
- The Speed of Change: The Factory of the Future is No Longer in the Future
What’s New at Automate 2024
Automate is North America’s answer to the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR), where attendees connect with a cross section of the industry from manufacturing to logistics, to healthcare and consumer electronics.
Burnstein told Machine Design that, among the highlights, attendees can look forward to a panel discussion on current advancements in humanoid robotics and leadership panels with industry executives on latest trends.
READ MORE: Automate 2023: A Robotics & Automation Event Organized Around Market Trends
New this year, an Automate Startup Challenge will feature 10 startup companies pitching their solutions to a panel of judges and competing for a $10,000 prize.
A women’s empowerment forum is also new this year. In spite of all the great jobs available, said Burnstein, the industry has delayed tapping into the market’s full potential.
“We need as many smart minds as we can get involved,” said Burnstein.
Click here to learn more about Automate 2024.