# Automate 2026 Show Recap

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-07-02
- Length: 1h 02m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/automate-2026-recap

## Summary

Steve Crowe, Mike Oitzman, and Sarah Wynn recap Automate 2026, noting the industry's pivot from humanoid hype to practical Physical AI and edge computing. They highlight ABB's collaboration with Nvidia on sim-to-real training, Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Orchestration, and Sereact's zero-shot picking for e-grocery logistics. The hosts also critique the lack of moving industrial humanoids at the show, contrasting stationary displays from Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics with real-world deployments by Figure AI.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=0) Automate 2026 Overview and Venue
- [9:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=595) The State of Humanoid Robots
- [20:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=1207) Physical AI and Edge Computing
- [24:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=1440) Software Orchestration and Open Automation
- [30:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=1840) Workforce Challenges and E-Grocery
- [41:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-02-automate-2026-show-recap#t=2487) ABB and Nvidia: Physical AI Toolchain

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ABB (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Sereact (company)
- Figure AI (company)
- Kassow Robots (company)
- Vention (company)
- Schneider Electric (company)
- Siemens (company)
- FANUC (company)
- Unitree (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- OTTO Motors (company)
- Tiger Data (company)
- Atlas (product)
- Digit (product)
- Figure 3 (product)
- FactoryTalk Orchestration (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Embedded Systems and IoT Connectivity: Lessons from Automate 2024](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-05-22-embedded-systems-and-iot-connectivity-lessons-from-automate-2024) (Over the Air)
- [Leadership Perspectives on Robotics, Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-09-leadership-perspectives-on-robotics-highlights-from-automate-live-in-detroit-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: Why you should attend Automate 2022](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-05-17-bonus-why-you-should-attend-automate-2022) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [289: Beyond the Hype: How Autonomy Is Scaling Across Critical Industries (LIVE from Pittsburgh)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-05-26-289-beyond-the-hype-how-autonomy-is-scaling-across-critical-industries-live-from) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-24-276-2026-automation-industry-outlook-live-from-the-a3-business-forum) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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