‍PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development are partnering to bring eight of the region’s most innovative robotics companies to Automate 2025, the nation’s leading automation and robotics trade show, taking place May 12–15 in Detroit, Michigan.

The participating companies—Thoro.AI, Capsen Robotics, ESTAT Actuation, HEBI Robotics, Hellbender Inc., Hummingbird, National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC), and Gecko Robotics—represent the cutting edge of industrial automation solutions from Pittsburgh’s globally recognized robotics and autonomy ecosystem.

The collaborative effort highlights the region’s commitment to accelerating commercialization for emerging robotics companies while also advancing a broader strategy: business expansion and investment into the greater Pittsburgh region.

“Pittsburgh is leading the way in next-generation robotics and autonomy,” said Jenn Apicella, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. “Our presence at Automate is about more than showcasing technology—it’s about forming strategic connections that help our companies grow and amplify the region’s role in shaping the future of automation.”

In addition to supporting local innovators, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development will use the show to engage with national and international companies considering expansion opportunities in tech-forward markets.

“Automate gives us a national platform to show what makes Pittsburgh a powerhouse in robotics,” said Ben Pratt, Senior Vice President, Business Investment, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “We’re proud to stand alongside our companies and demonstrate why this region is one of the best places in the country to build and scale a robotics business.”

Automate 2025 will bring together tens of thousands of leaders in manufacturing, AI, and advanced technologies, offering a critical opportunity for Pittsburgh companies to connect with customers, partners, and investors from around the world.

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