Preview into North America's Largest Automation Showcase: Automate 2015

CHICAGO, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) today releases a preview into this year's Automate 2015, named one of the top 10 manufacturing shows in the U.S. and the largest solutions-based showcase of automation technologies in North America. The show will take place at McCormick Place's North Hall from March 23-26. This year's show is over 80 percent larger than in 2013 and features more than 300 exhibitors supporting many industry verticals including automotive, electronics, aerospace, and food and beverage.

Automate 2015 showcases the trends and technology shaping the future of automation. According to a recent study by Boston Consulting Group, 72 percent of executives at U.S. based manufacturing companies with sales of at least $1 billion say they plan to invest in additional automation or advanced manufacturing technologies within the next five years.

As automation becomes more cost effective and easier to implement, small to medium-sized businesses are also adopting robotics, machine vision and motion control technologies to help drive their bottom line. Visitors can see these technologies firsthand and learn how they can be incorporated into standing business models.

"Automation continues to play a large role in the industrial and manufacturing industries, driving efficiencies and safety for employees, while positively impacting the bottom line for organizations across the globe," said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. "At this year's Automate, we are bringing together the greatest influencers and most innovative companies under one roof to show attendees the extensive benefits of automation. We've already seen our highest levels of exhibitors and registration yet, pointing to the explosive growth in our industry."  

Meet Company Leaders Impacting the Future of Automation
Visitors will learn from industry innovators and interact with emerging technologies on the forefront of automation. Exhibitors at Automate 2015 include:

• Rethink Robotics: Creators of Baxter, the company will be showcasing several exciting innovations at this year's show.
• Universal Robots: Visitors have the opportunity to see the simple training processes of its collaborative robot arms and how they can be used in businesses today, such as in production dental labs.
• Yaskawa Motoman: The Company will be showcasing its latest innovations and will host in its booth the ReWalk robotic exoskeleton, a device with the ability to simulate hip and knee motions, thus enabling individuals with spinal injuries to walk.

Attendees can also see the latest models from top producers of vision and motion control applications, in addition to collaborative robots helping evolve workplace automation. Collaborative robots are a major theme at Automate this year. Designed from the ground up with the user in mind, robots like these retain the ability to understand human processes and seamlessly integrate into smaller workspaces alongside human counterparts.

In keeping with this collaboration theme, on Monday, March 23, Automate 2015 will also host the 8th IFR CEO Round Table Discussion focused on "Robots and People Working Together." Panelists represent perspectives from robot users, researchers and suppliers. Panelists include Stefan Bartscher, of BMW Group, Professor Henrik Christensen of Georgia Tech and Stuart Shepherd of KUKA US Holding, as well as executives from the companies mentioned above.

"The industry is seeing innovators across many fields create machines that help augment the work humans are doing, allowing them to focus more on tasks that require a higher level of thinking or expertise," said Rodney Brooks, founder, chairman and CTO of Rethink Robotics. "These robots showcase the many positive aspects of automation, taking on jobs that humans cannot or should not do, while helping maintain productivity in the workplace."

Engage with Industry Innovators
In addition to great activity on the show floor, Automate 2015 also offers attendees additional social and networking opportunities after hours. On March 23, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) will present the Engelberger Robotics Award to Dean Kamen and Raffaello D'Andrea. Named after the worldwide "father of robotics," Joseph F. Engelberger, the award is the robotics industry's highest honor.

Kamen will be awarded the 2015 Engelberger Award for Leadership. He founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and is a well-regarded inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology. D'Andrea, currently a professor of Dynamic Systems and Control at ETH Zurich, will be awarded the 2015 Engelberger Award for Technology. D'Andrea co-founded Kiva Systems, a robotics company that revolutionized material handling by deploying thousands of autonomous mobile robots in warehouses. The company was acquired by Amazon in 2012.

A3 is also co-producing the Automate Launch Pad Startup Competition with Silicon Valley Robotics, and sponsored by Shell GameChanger. The competition will feature eight semi-finalist companies rooted in robotics, vision and motion that impact automation in diverse industries. Troy Henikoff, managing director of TechStars Chicago, James Unterreiner, member of the Shell GameChanger team and Randy Castleman, general partner for Court Square Ventures, will select one company to win the grand prize of $10,000. More information can be found on the show's website.

For more information on Automate 2015, please visit: http://www.automateshow.com. For more information on A3, please visit: http://www.a3automate.org/.

About the Association for Advancing Automation
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control Association (MCA). RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent some 850 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

For more information, please visit our websites: A3; RIA; AIA; MCA.

Media Contact:
Bob Doyle
Director of Communications
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(734) 994-6088

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SOURCE Association for Advancing Automation