Getting Pumped for Chicago: Automate 2026!

Industrial automation isn't a field worked in isolation. While most control engineers are buried in grueling, day-to-day design and maintenance tasks, it's a breath of fresh air to learn from peers and manufacturers about new solutions on the market.

The Automate trade show, hosted by A3, is one of the leading global shows and the largest in North America for automation and robotics. Register today if you plan on attending!

Schneider Electric last year at Automate 2025.

Exciting Product Displays

Many exhibitors are presenting innovative hardware solutions and a great many AI-powered software products. The Control.com engineering team will be asking the tough questions to uncover the details and tangible benefits of existing products and new announcements.

Here is a preview of a small handful of the more than 1,000 companies exhibiting products at the show.

Opto 22

The Groov EPIC (Edge Programmable Industrial Controller) is an industrial computer designed to handle both control and data handling/messaging tasks. Modern control systems are slowly migrating to these more industrial PC platforms, and products like the Groov EPIC help make it attainable to seasoned engineers.

Heidenhain

All automation requires motion. And all motion (if we require precision and reliability) requires feedback. Heidenhain will be displaying a wide range of encoder equipment: linear, angular, and rotary, offering a wide product catalog for a nearly endless range of applications.

Yaskawa Drives

Just as motors require feedback, they also require careful control from start to stop and everything in between. Yaskawa manufactures motor drives for general-purpose and specialty applications. At Automate 2026, they will have plenty of demonstrations on display.

OnLogic last year at Automate 2025.

Educational Opportunities

Automate isn't just a time for checking out new products on the trade show floor. Many companies come together to offer training on new and existing solutions.

What can attendees hope to learn? A3 is offering certification training in basic and advanced machine vision, as well as basic motion control.

In addition to certification classes, there is a forum dedicated to a recent hot-button topic: humanoid robots. These designs are finding a foothold in logistics applications and many commercial and residential settings, but many questions still exist. Discussions will include development, deployment, and commercialization of these robotic applications, all facilitated by leaders in the industry.

The Power of Networking

The world does not run on technology alone; the human factor is still the most significant driving force of automation. Learning from peers provides new methods and styles that build reliability in ways that no software package can provide.

Turck last year at Automate 2025.

At trade shows, many like-minded engineers convene and discuss their unique approach to various problems. While there is a saying that says “there's nothing new under the sun,” there are a lot of ways to solve some routine issues! These discussions are the informal side of the industry, often concluding with nothing more than an exchange of LinkedIn contact information, but the support is built and maintained for years. Networking truly is a power.

See You at the Show!

We're excited to see you next week! If you are attending the show, drop us a note and be sure to stop by and see us at our own Control.com EETech booth #4459!