Larger is the key word at the latest IMTS show

The purpose of this paper is to review the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago with emphasis on innovative robot applications on display.

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Robots are becoming smarter with more integrated capabilities such as vision and autonomous part picking from random bin locations. They are becoming more economical, faster and more application specific. Robot system integrators are creating more efficient solutions for customers to consider.

The paper is of value to users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found they did not meet applications requirements and who may need to revisit robotics. Robot builders and system integrators are providing more suitable solutions that can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.