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Bringing a customer perspective to robotics and industrial innovation in Chicago

Automate 2026 offered a close look at the technologies shaping industrial automation, and B&K was there to explore what those developments could mean for our customers. Jason Edwards and Melissa attended the June 22–25 event at McCormick Place in Chicago, where robotics, machine vision, motion control, and industrial AI were part of a broad automation showcase.

The event was filled with new and exciting technologies. For B&K, the value of attending comes from connecting that innovation to practical customer needs: a machine builder evaluating a new design, a manufacturer considering a repetitive task for automation, or a maintenance team planning how to support new equipment.

One example of the technology introduced to the show audience was ABB Robotics’ PoWa collaborative robot family. ABB also presented developments in physical AI and software for robotic applications. These advances offer more options to investigate as customers consider their next automation projects.

New technology still requires careful application planning. Payload, reach, cycle time, tooling, controls integration, and the operating environment all influence whether a solution fits. Collaborative robot applications also require a risk assessment of the complete system, including the task and end-of-arm tooling.

For Melissa Moon, attending Automate was an opportunity to connect emerging technology with the needs of B&K’s customers.

“Automate gives us the opportunity to see what’s coming next and think about how it can help our customers. We came back from Chicago excited about the technologies we saw and how we can bring those ideas into B&K’s customer conversations.”— Melissa Moon, B&K Electric Wholesale*

That excitement carries into our work supporting customers. Whether you’re exploring robotics, improving an existing process, or planning a new machine, B&K can help you evaluate the options and take the next step.