AI robotics: Moving from the lab to the real-world factory floor

LIneup of headshots for Andy Lonsberry, Path Robotics, Anders Beck, Universal Robots, Dave Coleman, PickNik Robotics.

From left to right: Andy Lonsberry, Path Robotics; Anders Beck, Universal Robots; and Dave Coleman, PickNik Robotics.

Artificial intelligence is now a key component of every robotic solution. AI changes the way robots process sensor data, make decisions, and react to the world around them. AI robotics no longer require manual programming to define the robot’s motions and task sequencing in the workcell.

But is AI ready for real deployments into real-world production applications? What does it take to deliver an AI-driven robotic system for the end customer? At the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo, a panel from leading companies will share their views and best practices learned from the field and real-world deployments. The panel will seek to answer the following questions:

Is AI making robots easier to program, use, and deploy?
How does AI change the world of production automation?
How quickly can robots learn new tasks?
How much effort and handholding does it take to deploy an AI-driven robot into a production environment for the first time?
How hard is it to change over the program or help the robot “re-learn” a new skill?

The panelists will also discuss the considerations needed for setting up infrastructure to support AI systems. These will become increasingly crucial as AI robotics evolves from the laboratory and trade show floor to the real world.

Learn from the AI robotics experts

Join Anders Beck, vice president of AI robotics rroducts at Universal Robots; Dave Coleman, founder and chief product officer at PickNik Robotics; and Andy Lonsberry, CEO of Path Robotics. The session will be moderated by Mike Oitzman, senior editor of The Robot Report, an industry veteran who has watched the robotics industry evolve over the past four decades.

WHEN:

2:30 to 3:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 28, 2026

Robotics Summit & Expo, Thomas M. Menino Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

About the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo

Registration is now open for the Robotics Summit & Expo, the world’s leading technical event for commercial robotics developers. The event is produced by The Robot Report and WTWH Media.

The show will have more than 50 sessions in tracks on artificial intelligence, design and development, enabling technologies, healthcare, and logistics. The Engineering Theater on the show floor will also feature presentations by industry experts.

More than 70 speakers are confirmed from companies such as AWS, Brain Corp, Fictiv, Harmonic Drive, maxon, RealSense, the Robotics and AI Institute, Robust AI, Tesla, the Toyota Research Institute, and more.

The 2026 Robotics Summit will also feature a number of networking opportunities. They include a Mix & Mingle Networking Reception after the first day of the show, the Women in Robotics Breakfast, and the ticketed RBR50 Awards Dinner.

The Robotics Summit & Expo is co-located with DeviceTalks Boston, which focuses on medical devices.