What robotic technology/technologies do you expect will make the most impact in 2026?
Vision-based spatial AI running at the edge on vehicles and robots will have the greatest impact. By turning camera data into precise, real-time awareness of people, shelves, obstacles, and operational flow, this technology will enable safer navigation, more efficient routing, and seamless coordination between humans and machines. When combined with centralized spatial intelligence, every robot and vehicle becomes part of a continuously updating, facility-wide understanding of movement, dramatically improving safety and productivity.
What is your boldest robotics prediction for 2026?
Robots and manual vehicles will begin operating as coordinated teammates rather than independent assets. Shared spatial awareness will allow forklifts, AMRs, and people to move in synchrony, predicting each other's paths and avoiding conflicts automatically. This shift from isolated automation to collaborative, spatially intelligent operations will mark the beginning of true mixed-fleet orchestration in warehouses.
What industry/industries do you expect will invest more in robotics and automation in 2026 and why?
Warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing will accelerate investment as rising throughput demands, labor shortages, and safety pressures push facilities to operate with greater precision. These industries stand to benefit most from spatial intelligence tools that reduce incidents, optimize routing, streamline workflows, and unify data from both robots and manual vehicles. As complexity increases and margins tighten, organizations will prioritize robotics and automation that provide real-time visibility, predictive insights, and safer human-machine collaboration.
From geometry preparation to AI-assisted analysis, integrated CFD workflows…
Software-based GripperAI manages mixed picking through basic geometry
Safety, communication and motion control components enable smooth operation
North America’s largest robotics and automation event winds down
