Automate 2026 is North America's largest robotics and automation show — and Slip Robotics is bringing dock automation to the show floor at Booth N28000. June 22–25 at McCormick Place, Chicago.
See the Future of Dock Automation in Chicago
Automate 2026 is where the world's leading manufacturers, warehouse operators, logistics professionals, and automation engineers converge — and Slip Robotics is bringing dock automation innovation to Booth N28000.
If your operation is dealing with any of the following, you'll want to stop by and connect with the Slip Robotics team:
At Automate 2026 in Chicago, Slip Robotics will be demonstrating how autonomous mobile robots are helping warehouses, manufacturers, retailers, and logistics providers dramatically improve dock efficiency — without expensive infrastructure changes.
Meet SlipBot & SlipLift at Booth N28000
Slip Robotics is redefining how freight moves through warehouses and distribution networks with autonomous loading robots designed for speed, flexibility, and safety.
SlipBot: Autonomous Freight Movement
SlipBots automate the movement of freight in and out of trailers and warehouse environments. Designed to work without fixed infrastructure, SlipBots help operations:
- Load and unload trailers in minutes — up to 10× faster than manual methods
- Reduce forklift traffic and congestion at the dock
- Improve dock throughput and increase trailer turns
- Reduce labor strain and improve workplace safety
- Scale automation quickly across multiple facilities
SlipBots are ideal for:
- Automotive and heavy manufacturing
- Retail distribution and e-commerce fulfillment
- Appliance, furniture, and building materials logistics
- Parcel and home delivery operations
- 3PL and contract logistics environments
Introducing SlipLift
Attendees at Automate 2026 can also learn about SlipLift — Slip Robotics' autonomous lifting platform engineered to simplify freight handling and improve loading flexibility. SlipLift is designed to seamlessly elevate and transfer freight between trailers, docks, and warehouse environments while integrating with SlipBots and existing workflows.
What Makes SlipLift Different?
Unlike traditional dock equipment or fixed automation systems, SlipLift delivers infrastructure-light automation that can be deployed rapidly without redesigning your facility.
Faster Dock Ops
Reduce time spent manually transferring freight between trailers and facilities.
Increased Throughput
Keep trailers moving while minimizing dock dwell time and bottlenecks.
Improved Safety
Reduce repetitive manual handling and forklift congestion around docks.
Scalable Automation
Deploy where you need it most — no facility redesign required.
Flexible Freight
Handle pallets, carts, racks, and mixed freight configurations with ease.
Fast Implementation
Get up and running quickly — minimal IT integration or infrastructure changes.
Who Attends Automate — and Why It Matters
Automate 2026 is expected to draw more than 50,000 registrants and over 1,000 exhibitors to McCormick Place. The show attracts the exact decision-makers and operations leaders who are actively evaluating automation investments:
- Plant engineers and operations managers from automotive, heavy manufacturing, food and beverage, life sciences, and consumer goods
- Supply chain and logistics executives evaluating dock and warehouse automation
- Manufacturing and distribution leaders from companies including Caterpillar, AbbVie, and Newell Brands
- Systems integrators and automation engineers building solutions for end users
- C-suite executives exploring ROI-positive automation deployments
- Robotics researchers, academics, and students through A3's student programs
With more than 140 conference sessions across 20+ topic paths, Automate spans robotics, AI, machine vision, motion control, humanoids, and more. For Slip Robotics, it's an unmatched opportunity to connect with leaders across industries who are ready to modernize their dock operations.
Why Manufacturing and Logistics Leaders Need Faster Dock Automation
Today's manufacturing and distribution networks are under enormous pressure:
- Shrinking labor pools and rising hourly wages
- Peak demand spikes with no seasonal workforce buffer
- Transportation cost increases and detention fee exposure
- Customer and partner pressure for faster, consistent throughput
- Aging dock infrastructure that can't keep up with modern volume
- Safety compliance requirements in labor-intensive environments
Many facilities have discovered that loading docks — not the warehouse floor — are their biggest operational bottleneck. Slip Robotics helps eliminate that bottleneck by automating trailer loading and unloading at speed, without requiring permanent conveyor systems or costly facility modifications.
Connect with Slip Robotics at Booth N28000
At Automate 2026, the Slip Robotics team will be available throughout the show to discuss real-world dock automation strategies, deployment approaches, and practical paths to modernizing freight movement.
Visitors to Booth N28000 can:
- See SlipBot and SlipLift capabilities and demos up close
- Discuss your specific operational challenges with automation experts
- Review dock efficiency improvement strategies and ROI models
- Explore deployment timelines and integration requirements
- Learn how leading manufacturers and 3PLs are modernizing loading operations
Whether you manage an automotive assembly plant, a national distribution network, a 3PL warehouse, or a large-scale manufacturing campus — Slip Robotics provides a practical, fast-to-deploy path to dock automation.
Why Warehouse and Operations Leaders Choose Slip Robotics
Operations leaders across industries choose Slip Robotics because the technology delivers measurable results from day one:
- Rapid implementation with minimal operational disruption
- No IT integration required — infrastructure-light deployment
- Faster trailer turns that directly reduce detention costs
- Safer loading workflows that reduce injury risk and improve retention
- Measurable ROI — typically visible within weeks of deployment
- Scalable across facilities and freight configurations
Top 10 Reasons to Attend Automate 2026 in Chicago
- 01
Discover the Cutting Edge of Robotics & Automation
Explore AI, humanoids, vision systems, motion control, and next-generation manufacturing automation — all under one roof at North America's largest automation show.
- 02
Visit Slip Robotics at Booth N28000
Learn how autonomous dock automation is helping facilities cut loading time, reduce bottlenecks, and improve throughput — without major infrastructure investment.
- 03
Explore the Humanoid Robot Forum & NVIDIA Pavilion
Get a front-row look at embodied AI and evaluate how humanoid robotics are moving from concept to real-world deployment pathways.
- 04
Learn from 200+ Industry Experts
Attend keynotes, theater sessions, and 140+ conference sessions across robotics, AI, smart manufacturing, workforce strategy, and more.
- 05
Connect with 50,000+ Automation Professionals
Network with plant engineers, executives, systems integrators, and decision-makers from manufacturing, logistics, life sciences, automotive, and beyond.
- 06
See 1,000+ Exhibitors on One Floor
Compare solutions across every category of automation technology in one focused, high-density show environment.
- 07
Explore Practical, ROI-Positive Automation
Discover deployable solutions designed for real-world implementation — not multi-year roadmaps — that deliver measurable results quickly.
- 08
Learn How to Eliminate Dock Bottlenecks
Identify strategies to reduce dock congestion, increase trailer turns, and maximize freight throughput across your facility network.
- 09
Gain Ideas for Labor Efficiency & Safety
Explore how automation can reduce physical strain, lower injury rates, and improve employee retention in dock-heavy environments.
- 10
Experience Chicago
Pair world-class automation content with one of America's most vibrant cities — iconic food, architecture, lakefront parks, and deep-dish pizza you won't forget.
Visiting Chicago for Automate 2026?
Chicago offers far more than great conference sessions. Whether you're extending your trip, taking a client to dinner, or exploring between meetings — the Windy City has plenty to offer. Here are some local favorites within reach of McCormick Place.
Best Breakfast Spots
MorningWildberry Pancakes & Cafe
A Chicago breakfast institution known for creative pancakes and elevated morning plates.
Yolk – South Loop
Popular all-day breakfast spot a short ride from McCormick Place — great for a pre-show fuel-up.
Batter & Berries
Lincoln Park gem famous for its French toast flights and inventive brunch menu.
The Dearborn
Upscale American bistro with a rotating breakfast and brunch menu in the Loop.
Coffee Shops Worth Visiting
CaffeineMomentum Coffee
A neighborhood roaster near McCormick Place — quick stop before the show floor opens.
Dark Matter Coffee
Chicago-born indie roaster known for bold, experimental blends across multiple locations.
Intelligentsia Coffee
One of the originators of the third-wave coffee movement, with a flagship in River North.
Sawada Coffee
World Latte Art champion Hiroshi Sawada's West Loop café — for a coffee experience unlike any other.
Great Lunch & Dinner Options
FoodFatpour Tap Works
Steps from McCormick Place — excellent draft selection, hearty food, and a great spot to debrief after the show.
Portillo's
A Chicago institution. The Italian beef sandwich and chocolate cake shake are non-negotiable.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
The definitive Chicago deep-dish experience — buttery crust, chunky tomato, and loads of cheese.
Girl & the Goat
Stephanie Izard's flagship restaurant in the West Loop — one of Chicago's most celebrated dining experiences.
Green Street Smoked Meats
Elevated barbecue in a lively West Loop setting — perfect for a group dinner after day one.
Avec
Mediterranean-inspired small plates in a warm, convivial West Loop space. Reserve ahead.
Walks, Parks & Outdoor Spots
OutdoorsMillennium Park
Home to Cloud Gate (The Bean), Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and 25 acres of lakefront parkland in the heart of the Loop.
Chicago Riverwalk
A scenic path along the Chicago River through downtown — great for a walk between sessions.
Museum Campus
Just north of McCormick Place — the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium sit on Lake Michigan's shore.
Grant Park
Chicago's "Front Yard" — Buckingham Fountain, open lawns, and lakefront views stretching south from the Loop.
Architecture, Culture & Iconic Chicago
CultureArt Institute of Chicago
Ranked among the top museums in the US — home to Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and over 300,000 works.
Chicago Architecture Center
Boat tours and walking tours showcasing Chicago's legendary skyline and building legacy — a must for design-minded visitors.
Navy Pier
Six blocks into Lake Michigan — Ferris wheel, restaurants, fireworks, and stunning city skyline views.
Second City
The legendary comedy club that launched careers from John Belushi to Tina Fey. A perfect evening out.
The Magnificent Mile
Michigan Avenue's iconic stretch of flagship stores, landmarks, and dining — walkable from downtown hotels.
Willis Tower Skydeck
Step onto The Ledge, 1,353 feet above the city, for views stretching across four states on a clear day.
Chicago combines world-class food, iconic architecture, live music, a stunning lakefront, and deep cultural history — making Automate 2026 one of the best venues the show has ever called home.
Let's Keep Freight Moving
The future of dock automation is faster, safer, and infrastructure-light. Come see it in person at Booth N28000 during Automate 2026 in Chicago.
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Ready to transform your dock operations?
See SlipBots in action with a personalized demo.