IMTS 2026: AI, Automation, and Investment Are Driving the Next Phase of Growth in Manufacturing

IMTS 2026 in Chicago has impressively reaffirmed its role as the world’s leading platform for manufacturing technologies. With more than 91,000 registered visitors, nearly 1,800 exhibitors, and an exhibition area of approximately 1.17 million square feet, the trade show was all about artificial intelligence, automation, and the modernization of industrial production.

Many presentations focused on practical applications of AI. Rather than visions of the future, concrete solutions for manufacturing facilities took center stage—ranging from automated robot programming and AI-powered CAM systems to intelligent quality inspections. The Industrial AI Conference, held for the first time, drew particularly strong interest and even had to be expanded due to high demand.

In addition, the trade show highlighted efforts to strengthen American industry. Investments in new production capacity, reshoring initiatives, and major projects in the defense and aerospace sectors fostered optimism. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking technologies that can boost productivity and offset the ongoing shortage of skilled workers.

Robotics also emerged as a central theme. Modern cobots, AI-based vision systems, and easily integrable automation solutions are designed to make it easier for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in particular to adopt automation. At the same time, additive manufacturing continued to gain importance and is increasingly viewed as a complement to traditional machining processes.

IMTS thus clearly demonstrated the direction in which the manufacturing industry is heading: away from isolated machines and toward intelligently networked production systems in which AI, robotics, data analysis, and automation work together to ensure greater efficiency, flexibility, and competitiveness. For many visitors, the question was not so much whether these technologies would be adopted, but rather how quickly they could be integrated into their own production processes.