Every conversation has the potential to spark a new idea, strengthen a partnership, or open the door to future innovation.
That was the mindset we brought to Automate 2026, where our team joined thousands of industry professionals to connect with partners, meet new customers, engage with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industrial automation technology providers, and exchange perspectives with manufacturing and automation leaders from across North America.
Hosted in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the largest events dedicated to robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing, Automate 2026 provided a platform to explore cutting-edge technologies and discuss the trends shaping tomorrow’s production environments.
Representing Teoresi Group at the event, our Regional Manager for Teoresi US Marcella Sanapo, and Business Development Manager for Teoresi US Gaia D’Antoni spent the week meeting with key industry stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and gaining valuable insights into the evolving automation landscape.
Following the event, Marcella and Gaia shared their insights on the technologies shaping the future of automation, the role of AI in industrial innovation, and how Teoresi’s engineering expertise can support customers in navigating an evolving manufacturing landscape.
What were your primary objectives for attending Automate 2026 this year?
Marcella Sanapo:
Our main objective was to strengthen relationships with our strategic partners while meeting new OEMs, technology providers, and automation leaders. We also wanted to better understand the trends that are shaping the future of industrial automation so we can continue bringing innovative engineering solutions to our customers.
Were there any technologies or solutions that exceeded your expectations?
Gaia D’Antoni:
I was particularly impressed by how Artificial Intelligence has evolved from being a concept into practical industrial applications. Many exhibitors demonstrated solutions combining AI, machine vision, robotics, and digital twins to improve manufacturing efficiency, predictive maintenance, and quality assurance. The level of integration between these technologies was remarkable.
How do you see automation reshaping manufacturing over the next few years?
Marcella Sanapo:
Automation is making manufacturing smarter, more connected, and more adaptable. The focus is no longer just on increasing productivity, but on combining AI, robotics, machine vision, and digital engineering to improve quality, accelerate innovation, and respond more quickly to changing market demands.
Which emerging technologies generated the most interest among attendees?
Gaia D’Antoni:
What caught my attention wasn’t one specific technology, but the overall change in the conversations. AI was certainly a common topic throughout the event, but people were talking less about the technology itself and more about the value it can bring. The focus was on solving real manufacturing challenges, improving quality, increasing flexibility, and making better decisions using data. One message came across very clearly: automation is about giving us better tools to work smarter. That was probably my biggest takeaway from Automate.
How can Teoresi leverage its expertise in software, embedded systems, and advanced engineering to help customers address the challenges discussed at the event?
Marcella Sanapo:
What makes Teoresi different is our ability to bring together expertise from different engineering domains and industrial sectors. We provide technical skills, combine knowledge, adapt it to each customer’s needs, and turn it into practical, reliable solutions. Technology is constantly evolving, but meaningful innovation is always driven by people. I believe our greatest strength is connecting competencies, experiences, and perspectives to help our customers turn complexity into opportunity.
Discover Horizon, the project developed with POMINI Long Rolling Mills, where we applied Digital Twin technology to industrial processes.