Bosch Rexroth, a global leader in drive and control technologies, is poised to make a significant impact at Automate 2026, scheduled to take place in Chicago. The company will showcase its extensive portfolio of factory automation solutions at Booth #2810, reflecting the accelerating adoption of advanced automation technologies across diverse production environments worldwide. As manufacturers increasingly seek to optimize efficiency, enhance precision, and navigate complex global supply chains, the demand for integrated and intelligent automation systems has surged, making events like Automate critical platforms for innovation and collaboration.
Automate, North America’s largest and most comprehensive automation exhibition, serves as a vital nexus for industry professionals, researchers, and technology providers. Organized by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the biennial event brings together leading experts and groundbreaking solutions across robotics, artificial intelligence, vision systems, motion control, and related technologies. Chicago, with its rich industrial heritage and strategic logistical advantages, provides an ideal backdrop for this influential gathering. Automate 2026 is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees, offering an unparalleled opportunity for Bosch Rexroth to demonstrate its commitment to shaping the future of manufacturing through cutting-edge solutions.
Spotlight on Bosch Rexroth’s Comprehensive Offerings
Bosch Rexroth’s exhibit will feature a dynamic array of automation components, sophisticated digital engineering tools, and interactive demonstrations designed to illustrate the practical applications and benefits of their integrated systems. The company’s holistic approach to factory automation encompasses everything from robust mechanical conveyance systems to intelligent, AI-enabled control platforms, all engineered to meet the evolving demands of modern industry.
One of the cornerstone demonstrations will center on their advanced conveyance systems. Bosch Rexroth will highlight its TS conveyor systems, renowned for their versatility and reliability across a multitude of industries and applications. Specifically, the TS 7plus will be on display, a heavy-duty conveyor system engineered to transport substantial payloads of up to 3,000 kg (approximately 6,614 lbs). This system is particularly vital in industries requiring robust material handling for large components or assemblies, such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and heavy machinery production. Alongside the TS 7plus, the TS 2plus will also be featured, offering solutions for lighter to medium-duty applications, demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of Bosch Rexroth’s conveyance portfolio. Both the TS 2plus and TS 7plus are built upon the company’s proprietary aluminum framing system, a testament to Bosch Rexroth’s enduring legacy in industrial mechanics, having supplied this foundational technology for over four decades. This extensive experience underscores the reliability, modularity, and ease of integration inherent in their designs, allowing manufacturers to build highly flexible and reconfigurable production lines.
Revolutionizing Control and Automation with ctrlX AUTOMATION
A significant portion of Bosch Rexroth’s booth will be dedicated to its revolutionary ctrlX AUTOMATION platform. Visitors will experience a "cabinet-free" display, emphasizing the compact design and distributed intelligence of ctrlX DRIVE, Bosch Rexroth’s highly integrated drive technology. This approach significantly reduces the physical footprint of control cabinets, optimizing valuable floor space and simplifying installation. Central to this platform is the ctrlX CORE controller, a powerful and compact industrial PC that serves as the brain of the automation system. Its open architecture and high-performance processing capabilities enable seamless integration of various functions and third-party applications.
Further enhancing the control and automation showcase, Bosch Rexroth will present the ctrlX FLOW HS smart conveyance system. This intelligent transport solution integrates directly with the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, allowing for highly synchronized and precise material flow, crucial for optimizing throughput and reducing bottlenecks in complex assembly processes.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the ctrlX AUTOMATION display will be the demonstration of ctrlX OS and its innovative app-based approach to integrating advanced technologies. This operating system represents a paradigm shift in industrial control, offering an open and flexible ecosystem similar to a smartphone. By utilizing applications from Bosch Rexroth and an expanding network of partner companies, manufacturers can customize their automation solutions with unprecedented ease. The demonstration will vividly illustrate how ctrlX OS, when coupled with edge hardware supporting AI acceleration, can connect robotics and sophisticated AI-based vision systems. This capability is pivotal for applications requiring real-time decision-making, quality inspection, pick-and-place operations, and adaptive manufacturing, where robots can intelligently respond to variations in products or processes. The integration of AI vision allows for superior defect detection, precise part recognition, and dynamic manipulation, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in automated production.
Precision and Versatility in Linear Motion Technology
The linear technology display at Bosch Rexroth’s booth will offer an immersive and interactive experience. A cutting-edge interactive hologram will showcase the company’s extensive range of linear motion components. This holographic presentation will allow visitors to virtually explore and understand the intricate details of Bosch Rexroth’s precision screws, robust bearings, and versatile linear modules. These components are fundamental building blocks for accurate and repeatable motion in automated systems, serving as the backbone for countless industrial machines.
Beyond the holographic display, practical applications will be demonstrated through a Cartesian robot and a Smart Function Kit for Pressing. The Cartesian robot, a multi-axis system known for its accuracy and rigidity, will illustrate precise positioning and movement capabilities. The Smart Function Kit for Pressing demonstration will highlight how these linear motion components are integrated into an automated pressing application. This kit offers a complete, pre-configured solution for pressing, joining, and forming tasks, providing manufacturers with a standardized, easy-to-implement system that ensures high process reliability and data traceability. Such integrated kits reduce engineering effort and accelerate deployment, enabling faster time-to-market for new products and processes.
Engaging with Expertise and Exploring the Digital Showroom
At the heart of the booth, a dedicated touch table will provide an interactive factory automation display. This digital showroom allows visitors to delve deeper into Bosch Rexroth’s comprehensive automation offerings, exploring product specifications, application examples, and success stories at their own pace. This interactive tool serves as a valuable resource for engineers, production managers, and decision-makers seeking tailored solutions.
Throughout Automate 2026, Bosch Rexroth specialists will be readily available at the booth to engage with attendees. These experts will offer invaluable insights into contemporary factory automation strategies, focusing on approaches that prioritize both operational efficiency and safety. Discussions will cover topics such as lean manufacturing principles, predictive maintenance, human-robot collaboration, and cybersecurity in industrial environments. Visitors interested in collaborative robotics will also have the opportunity to visit the booth of Bosch Rexroth subsidiary, Kassow Robots, located at Booth #2036, to explore their innovative cobot solutions designed for flexible automation and direct human interaction.
The Broader Context: Automate’s Significance and Market Dynamics
Automate 2026 arrives at a critical juncture for global manufacturing. The automation industry has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, driven by a confluence of factors including persistent labor shortages, rising labor costs, the imperative for increased productivity, and the global push towards Industry 4.0 and smart factory initiatives. According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), robot sales in North America continue to set records, indicating a robust and expanding market. The adoption of automation is no longer confined to large enterprises but is increasingly permeating small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking to maintain competitiveness.
The event itself, Automate, has grown exponentially since its inception. From its roots as a smaller trade show, it has evolved into a premier international exhibition, reflecting the accelerating pace of technological innovation. Its shift from a biennial event in Detroit to a more regular presence, including the addition of a Chicago venue, underscores the expanding footprint of automation across diverse industrial sectors. Chicago’s central location in the U.S. and its strong ties to manufacturing, logistics, and distribution industries make it an ideal host city, drawing attendees from across the continent and beyond.
Driving Forces Behind Automation Adoption
Several macro-economic and technological trends are fueling the surge in automation adoption, which Bosch Rexroth’s offerings directly address:
- Labor Shortages and Workforce Demographics: Many developed economies face an aging workforce and a dwindling supply of skilled labor for manufacturing roles. Automation, particularly robotics, helps bridge this gap by taking over repetitive, strenuous, or hazardous tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more complex, value-added activities.
- Enhanced Productivity and Efficiency: Automated systems operate with higher speed, precision, and consistency than manual processes, leading to increased throughput, reduced cycle times, and minimized waste. This directly translates to higher productivity and lower operational costs.
- Quality and Precision: Advanced automation systems, particularly those integrated with AI and vision, can perform tasks with sub-millimeter accuracy and detect defects that might be missed by the human eye. This elevates product quality and reduces rework.
- Flexibility and Customization: Modern consumers demand personalized products and shorter product lifecycles. Flexible automation solutions, like those enabled by ctrlX AUTOMATION’s app-based approach, allow manufacturers to rapidly reconfigure production lines for different product variants or smaller batch sizes, facilitating mass customization.
- Safety Improvements: Automating dangerous tasks removes human workers from hazardous environments, significantly improving workplace safety and reducing industrial accidents.
- Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation: The vision of the "smart factory" relies heavily on interconnected, intelligent systems. Bosch Rexroth’s emphasis on digital engineering tools, real-time data analytics, and open platforms like ctrlX OS is perfectly aligned with the principles of Industry 4.0, enabling seamless communication between machines, systems, and people.
Bosch Rexroth’s Strategic Vision and Implications
Bosch Rexroth’s presence at Automate 2026 is more than just a product showcase; it is a clear articulation of their strategic vision for the future of manufacturing. Their ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, with its open architecture and app-based approach, embodies a commitment to democratizing automation, making advanced capabilities accessible and adaptable. By providing a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates control, drives, linear motion, and conveyance, they are empowering manufacturers to build highly efficient, flexible, and future-proof production facilities.
The integration of AI and machine vision within their control systems has profound implications. It moves automation beyond simple repetitive tasks to intelligent, adaptive processes that can learn, optimize, and respond to dynamic conditions. This is crucial for industries facing increasing complexity, such as electric vehicle manufacturing, advanced electronics assembly, and personalized healthcare devices.
Furthermore, Bosch Rexroth’s focus on digital engineering tools underscores the importance of the entire lifecycle of an automation system, from design and simulation to commissioning and maintenance. These tools reduce engineering time, minimize errors, and accelerate deployment, contributing significantly to a faster return on investment for automation projects.
The Economic Impact and Future Outlook
The widespread adoption of the types of automation solutions presented by Bosch Rexroth at Automate 2026 has significant economic implications. By boosting productivity and efficiency, automation enhances the competitiveness of manufacturing sectors in developed economies, allowing them to compete more effectively with lower-cost regions. It also fosters innovation, leading to the creation of new high-skilled jobs in areas such as robotics programming, data analytics, and system integration. While concerns about job displacement often arise, the consensus among economists and industry leaders is that automation fundamentally transforms jobs rather than eliminating them entirely, requiring a focus on workforce reskilling and upskilling.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of automation points towards increasingly autonomous and interconnected systems. The "Lights-Out" factory, where production can run with minimal human intervention, is becoming more feasible with advancements in AI, robotics, and predictive maintenance. Bosch Rexroth, through its continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, is actively contributing to this future, building the technological infrastructure for resilient, agile, and sustainable manufacturing operations. Their participation at Automate 2026 serves as a critical touchpoint for industry leaders to witness these transformative technologies firsthand and collaborate on charting the next phase of industrial evolution.
For further details and to plan their visit, interested parties are encouraged to explore the dedicated event page at boschrexroth-us.com/automate.
