The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is gearing up to mark its 50th anniversary at the upcoming Automate 2024 event in Chicago from May 6-9. A3, founded in 1974 as the Robotics Industries Association (RIA) by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), has evolved over the years to become a leading advocate for automation technologies globally.
Highlighting 50 Years of A3’s History
1974: Robot Institute of America (RIA) is founded by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and is headquartered in Dearborn, Mich.
1976: First Robots Show is co-located with the Assemblex III show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
1982: Bernard Sallot creates an independent RIA separate from SME, changing its name to the Robotic Industries Association.
1983: Donald Vincent becomes the RIA president and leads the organization for 24 years, retiring in 2007.
2007: Jeff Burnstein becomes RIA president and leads global advocacy of automation in North America, Asia and Europe.
2011: The Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show rebrands to the first-ever Automate Show co-located with the ProMat Show at McCormick Place in Chicago.
2016: Founding of A3 Mexico, the only trade group organized specifically to serve the automation industry in Mexico and Latin America.
2022: Automate Show and Conference returns to Detroit, becoming an annual standalone event.
2024: Automate Show and Conference relocates to McCormick Place in Chicago in time to celebrate A3’s golden anniversary.
Through significant milestones such those listed above, A3 has played a pivotal role in advancing the automation industry.
Automation in Action
The City of Big Shoulders is a suitable venue to carry this year’s Automate Show as it promises to be the largest in its history—with more than 365,000 square feet of industrial automation solutions and technology. Attendees can expect an environment where they can witness automation in action; engage with industry experts; and explore the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors and more.
In an exclusive interview with Machine Design’s Rehana Begg, A3 President Jeff Burnstein contextualized the robotics outlook over the past year and shared his expectations for this year’s event.
In the interview, 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
Burnstein also said that attendees can look forward to a panel discussion on current advancements in humanoid robotics and leadership panels with industry executives on latest trends.
New for this year’s show, an Automate Startup Challenge will feature 10 startup companies pitching their solutions to a panel of judges, competing for a $10,000 prize.
A women’s empowerment forum is also new this year. Despite all the great jobs available, said Burnstein, the industry has delayed tapping into the market’s full potential.
Automate 2024 is free to attend. Register for a badge that grants access to the show floor with more than 800 exhibiting companies from around the world and offers engagement with more than 200 speakers and industry leaders at the educational and keynote sessions.