Join us at Automate 2026

Automate is hosted by ARM Member A3 and will take place June 22-25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

We have something for you at Automate whether you’re:

Check out the different ways you can engage with us at Automate below:

ARM Institute Presentations

Lessons Learned: Building the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce of the Future: Tuesday, June 23 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM in the A3 NextGen Theater – Booth 32054

Presenter: John Zappa, Senior Director of Product Management, ARM Institute

Learn from real-world examples of robotics and automation deployment at varied employers including the U.S. Naval Shipyards, and Tesla, as well as small manufacturers supported by Rethink Robotics. In each instance, workforce readiness is a critical element for successful deployment and yet many organizations struggle with critical skills shortages, and workforce acceptance. In this session, we will look at the workforce factors impacting each of these environments.

The session will also explore how the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute addresses these issues through its talent supply chain work and the free RoboticsCareer service. Through ARM Institute, employers gain clarity on competencies for needed roles, access to vetted training programs for effective upskilling and qualified talent for hiring. Intended for employers, the session will also provide an overview of the broader talent supply chain factors impacting their deployments.

Accelerating AI-Enabled Robotics for Manufacturing: Bridging R&D and Commercialization: Wednesday, June 24 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM in room S404d

AI is rapidly changing the very nature of manufacturing robots, with one of the most promising developments being innovations that enable robots to execute complex tasks with greater autonomy and adaptability. These advancements could solve the high-mix, low-volume challenges commonly faced by small and medium manufacturers. Fewer than 10% of U.S. manufacturers have implemented robotics, likely due to the need for highly adaptable work cells, which could be addressed through AI-enabled robotics. Meanwhile, even fewer manufacturers have implemented AI in their operations. Innovations in robotics and AI often stall before they can reach small and medium-sized manufacturers due to fragmented infrastructure, incompatible interfaces, and limited pathways to scale.

A national, expertly curated repository of AI-enabled robotic technologies is needed to get manufacturers using those technologies to expand their productivity and competitiveness.

The ARM Institute is addressing this gap through the development of a standardized framework and a Hardware-in-the-Loop test capability aimed at accelerating the path from R&D to commercial deployment for AI-enabled robotics on the factory floor. The framework will develop low code interoperable interfaces across robot hardware and controllers, establish data curation best practices, and host a federated library of manufacturing process data sets, models, and early-stage AI-enabled robotic skill algorithms. By creating these shared resources, the ARM Institute will accelerate the ability of OEMs, integrators, and manufacturers to readily integrate emerging AI technologies with current commercial offerings. As a non-profit with a 470-member organization consortium and thousands of individual experts spanning industry, academia, and government, the ARM Institute is uniquely positioned to democratize AI-enabled robotics for the manufacturing industry.

This session will outline the architecture, guiding principles, and roadmap for this initiative, illustrating how this standardized framework accelerator will shorten technology-readiness cycles and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

Presenter: Matthew Powelson, Senior Robotics Software Engineer, ARM Institute

Robotics for Manufacturing: Trends, Best Practices, and What You Need to Know: Wednesday, June 24 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM in room S404d

  • Moderator: Miguel Rodriguez, Senior Programs Manager, ARM Institute
  • Panelist: Matthew Brown, CEO, ThoughtForge AI
  • Panelist: Stephen Levesque, Director, Artificially Intelligent Manufacturing System, The Ohio State University
  • Panelist: Harry Pierson, Senior Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory

In this panel discussion, the ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute will explore trends, best practices, and lessons learned in robotics for manufacturing. ARM Institute-funded robotics and AI projects aims to strengthen US manufacturing with a focus on dual use applications by industry and the defense sector.

As a Manufacturing Innovation Institute part of the Manufacturing USA Network, the ARM Institute is tasked by the Department of Defense with strengthening US manufacturing through robotics, AI, and workforce innovations. The ARM Institute accomplishes this mission by leveraging a consortium of 450+ organizations and thousands of individual experts representing the full manufacturing industry, from start-ups and technology providers to manufacturers of all sizes and workforce programs. Since its inception in 2017, the ARM Institute has funded hundreds of collaborative projects that address a variety of issues as identified by the institute’s membership and DoD partners. From textile manufacturing to surface finishing, by bringing together organizations that otherwise would not collaborate, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a stronger future for US manufacturing.

We will present a panel discussion led by Miguel Rodriguez (ARM Institute Senior Programs Manager) with three panelists representing industry, government, and academia. Through this panel, we will explore robotics projects that have successfully transitioned from ARM Institute funding to impact on the factory floor, detail lessons and best practices learned, identify trends in robotics for manufacturing, and explore how attendees can get involved in current and future efforts. Attendees will walk away with a keen understanding not just of the project outputs, but how this work benefits their businesses.

For the First Time Ever at Automate: See Final Demonstrations of ARM Institute Projects

Get to know our work better through project demonstrations by ARM Members: ARIS Technology & GridRaster!

  • ARIS Technology: Dual‑Mobile Robotic Platform – A two‑platform robot scanning solution delivering fast, high‑accuracy 3D and thermal inspection for large castings with seamless localization and sensor fusion.
  • GridRaster: Spatial AI and XR‑Assisted Inspection – An augmented‑reality‑driven workflow that enables rapid part localization, automated scanning, real‑time robot coordination, and AI‑enhanced defect analysis.

The demos will be held on Tuesday, June 23 and begin in the ARIS booth #4388 at 4 PM then will move to the GridRaster booth #4288 at 4:30 PM. Advanced sign-up is not required.

New Release: Building the Skilled Manufacturing Workforce Needed for Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI)

During Automate, we’ll be showcasing a NEW release of RoboticsCareer.org, our national workforce resource, that centers on building the manufacturing workforce needed to work with physical AI!

RoboticsCareer.org is the nation’s only platform dedicated to robotics careers in manufacturing. More than 100,000 individuals leveraged the site in 2025 to connect to jobs and training. This platform, built in partnership with the ARM Institute’s member consortium of experts, connects job seekers to personalized job listings, students and transitioning workers to industry-vetted training programs, employers to qualified talent, and training providers to leads to increase enrollment.

The physical AI release of RoboticsCareer.org will center on four core capabilities:

  • Physical AI Competency Framework & Career Pathways: The ARM Institute’s competency frameworks and career pathways are the foundational to RoboticsCareer.org. The ARM Institute collaborated with its nearly 500 member organization consortium, which spans industry, government, and academia, to define the skills and competencies needed to work with physical AI in manufacturing. These frameworks have also been transformed into job previews that show the common roles and responsibilities, skills needed, how much these jobs pay, and more attributes needed to increase awareness into these opportunities. Each training program and job listed on the site aligns to these defined pathways.
  • Training Program Listings: RoboticsCareer.org now lists the training programs that teach the skills need to work alongside physical AI, demystifying opportunities for students, transitioning workers, job seekers, and teachers. This database will now have an increased focus on programs that teach skills related to preparing and maintain data, integrating and deploying AI systems, and building software and machine learning solutions to automate tasks.
  • Job Listings: The ARM Institute posts and automatically updates 15,000+ jobs biweekly for robotics careers in manufacturing. We’ve now added jobs that are focused on roles working alongside and supporting AI-enabled robots. While jobs are updated automatically, employers also have the option to post their jobs directly or search our national talent database.
  • National Talent Database: RoboticsCarre.org is the nation’s only national talent database dedicated specifically to robotics jobs in manufacturing with thousands of individuals creating accounts on the platform to connect to jobs and training. As the ARM Institute introduces this new release, this talent database will grow to include qualified individuals looking for roles working within physical AI in manufacturing. This curated database enables manufacturers to save time on hiring, connect to job seekers who have professionally applied their skills, and identify individuals who have graduated from ARM Institute Endorsed training programs. Employers can download resumes and contact candidates at no cost.

Explore RoboticsCareer.org

Connect at Our Booth

Catch our team at Booth #31060 in the North Building at the Education Pavilion where you can learn more about: 

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Connect with us before Automate

Want to chat with us before Automate or set up a meeting with us at Automate? Let us know by emailing [email protected]. Plus, learn more about membership here. 

Keep the Momentum Going: 10th Annual ARM Member Meeting

Collaboration doesn’t stop at Automate! ARM Members are gearing up for our 10th Annual Member Meeting taking place Nov. 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA. This member-exclusive event is our largest networking event of the year and features 2.5 days of networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.

This event is for you if you want to:

  • Grow your network of collaborators and increase your business opportunities
  • Learn insights and best practices about robotics, physical AI, manufacturing, and workforce development
  • Get more involved in ARM Institute-funded projects, programs, and initiatives
  • Gain access to game-changing innovations in manufacturing
  • Meet government collaborators seeking innovation solutions

Stay tuned for our detailed agenda! At a glance, you can expect:

  • Expert keynote presenters representing insights from industry and government leadership
  • Our immensely popular five-minute pitch sessions that rapidly introduce you to new collaborators
  • Extended networking time and curated networking activities to widen your network
  • Updates about ARM Institute funded projects and ways you can get involved
  • Special celebratory activities and content in recognition of our 10th Member Meeting
  • Our Champions Awards Dinner taking place Nov. 18 and a robust Opening Night Reception on Nov. 17
  • Interactive activities during each of our concurrent Technology and Education/Workforce Development Break-Out sessions to inform ARM Institute priorities and activities

Join soon – discounted Member Meeting registration rates expire on July 6, 2026. 

Learn more & register

ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique and robust consortium of 500+ members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience.  Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X.

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