VC reflects on robotics trade show season - The Robot Report

The article reflects on the vibrant robotics trade show season in the U.S. during May and June, focusing on major events like Automate and Xponential. The author, an industry insider with nearly a decade of experience attending these shows, notes the significant presence and evolution of robotics technology, particularly in cities like Detroit, which is poised for an industrial renaissance driven by automation. Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), emphasized that increased robot sales correlate with job growth, as robots enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness, ultimately leading to better, safer, and higher-paying jobs. Automate, once a smaller segment of ProMat, has grown into a major standalone event attracting over 45,000 attendees, with plans to move to Chicago in 2026 due to its expansion. The trade show floor was fully occupied, showcasing cutting-edge robotics technology, including AI-infused 3D computer vision applications by companies like Cambrian Robotics. Cambrian’s demonstrations, such