🤖 A Look Back at Automate 2026 and the Future of American Automation: A Conversation with the A3 President

[Erkan Teskancan]

✨ After Automate 2026: Prominent Themes​

Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), has been guiding the robotics and automation industry for decades. He also manages the Automate show, which this year hosted 50,000 attendees and over 1,200 exhibitors.

According to Burnstein, the most striking themes of Automate 2026 were:

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  []Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  
  []Humanoid Robots
  
  []Collaborative Robots (Cobots)
  
  []Connectivity and Software-Driven Automation
  
  []Safety
  
  

Safety, in particular, holds great importance. A3 has been actively involved in developing robot safety standards since 1986. Global safety standards for humanoid robots do not yet exist, and work in this area is ongoing. Currently, humanoid robots are generally used in pilot programs or environments separate from humans.

🏛️ The Importance of a National Robotics Strategy​

Burnstein emphasizes that it is critical for the US to have a national robotics strategy. A3, which has been lobbying on this issue for the past two years, has gained promising momentum with draft legislation and interest from the Congressional Robotics Caucus. However, this interest needs to translate into concrete legal regulations and support for structures like a National Robotics Commission.

Burnstein states that countries like Japan and China have become leaders in robotics with coordinated strategies, and South Korea and the European Union have similar approaches. He expresses that the US is lagging behind in this area.

🚀 What Can a National Robotics Strategy Achieve?​

A national robotics strategy can help the US increase its global competitiveness in one of the most important technologies of this century. The main goals of this strategy are:

• 
  [

• ]Increase robotics adoption
  
  []Support reshoring of manufacturing
  
  []Strengthen domestic production
  
• Address the workforce shortage
  

Burnstein notes that many companies deciding to manufacture in the US lack sufficient human resources and automation, and therefore, a comprehensive strategy would provide a framework for long-term leadership.

💡 The Future of Industrial Automation: Exciting Developments​

What excites Burnstein most about the future of industrial automation is the rapid advancement in AI-powered machines. As robots become smarter and more capable, they will be able to perform a much wider range of tasks. He believes this will not be limited to factories and warehouses but can also provide significant benefits in areas such as healthcare, elder care, environmental cleanup, housing, and food production.

Burnstein is greatly excited by the potential of robotics and automation to contribute not only to industrial progress but also to broader societal improvements.

📈 The Evolution of the Automate Show: The Beginning of a New Era​

The Automate show has evolved with the growth of the automation industry since the late 1970s. Initially focused primarily on robotics, the show is now ten times larger in terms of attendees, exhibitors, and exhibition space. The exhibitor profile has also changed, with companies like Siemens, NVIDIA, and Schneider Electric becoming significant participants.

Burnstein states that the show reflects the automation industry becoming software-driven and AI-powered. He feels that this year's event marks the beginning of a new era for Automate, and they are still at the beginning of the journey.