RoboBusiness 2025 sets its agenda: physical AI, humanoids, and field robotics take center stage in Santa Clara
The announcement
Organizers of RoboBusiness have confirmed the full conference program for the 2025 edition of the event, which is scheduled to take place on October 15-16 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. The announcement, made public through The Robot Report, outlines a two-day gathering that will bring together developers, suppliers, and business leaders from across the commercial robotics sector.
RoboBusiness, which traces its origins back to 2004, has positioned itself as a primary meeting point for those involved in the development and supply of commercial robot systems. The event is produced by WTWH Media, the same organization behind The Robot Report and the Robotics Summit & Expo. This year's edition will feature a conference program built around six distinct tracks, several of which represent new or expanded areas of focus for the event.
Among the most notable additions to the 2025 program are two entirely new tracks dedicated to physical AI and humanoids. These topics reflect the broader industry shift toward embodied intelligence and robots designed to operate in human-centric environments. The field robotics track, which has been part of the event in previous years, is being expanded for 2025, signaling growing interest in robots designed for outdoor and unstructured environments. The remaining tracks cover business development, enabling technologies, and design and development best practices, providing a comprehensive overview of the commercial robotics landscape.
The conference will feature more than 60 speakers drawn from a range of companies that are active in different segments of the robotics industry. Confirmed participants include representatives from ABB, Agility Robotics, Amazon Robotics, Ambi Robotics, Cobot, Dexterity, DHL, Intuitive Surgical, NVIDIA, and PickNik Robotics. These organizations span industrial automation, logistics, healthcare, and software development, offering attendees a broad perspective on the current state of the field.
In addition to the main conference sessions, the event will include a startup workshop and a robotics startup competition, both designed to support emerging companies in the sector. Networking receptions will provide opportunities for attendees to connect with peers, potential partners, and investors. The show floor will feature more than 100 exhibitors showcasing enabling technologies, products, and services aimed at addressing robotics development challenges.
One notable exhibitor returning to the event is Nidec DRIVE TECHNOLOGY (NDT), a company known for its work in high-precision gearing and motion control. NDT has confirmed it will demonstrate its latest advancements in motion control technologies at the 2025 show, with a focus on supporting robotics developers across multiple industries. The company's participation underscores the importance of component-level innovation in the broader robotics ecosystem.
The event will also be co-located with the Field Robotics Engineering Forum, an event designed for engineers, engineering management, and business professionals interested in the development and safe deployment of field robotics systems. These systems are intended for operation in wide-ranging, outdoor, and dynamic environments, a segment that has seen increased attention in recent years. Additionally, RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, an industry event for medical technology professionals that is currently in its ninth year.
Product and availability details
While RoboBusiness is primarily a conference and exhibition rather than a product launch event, the 2025 edition will feature a range of demonstrations and presentations that highlight the latest developments in robotics technology. The event's six conference tracks are designed to cover the full spectrum of topics relevant to commercial robotics, from foundational technologies to emerging application areas.
The new track on physical AI reflects the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and robotics. This area of focus examines how AI techniques are being applied to robot perception, decision-making, and control, enabling machines to operate more effectively in real-world environments. The humanoids track, also new for 2025, addresses the development of humanoid robots, a category that has attracted significant investment and attention in recent years. Both tracks are indicative of the industry's trajectory toward more capable, autonomous systems.
The expanded field robotics track recognizes the increasing importance of robots designed for outdoor and unstructured environments. This includes applications in agriculture, construction, mining, and other sectors where robots must contend with variable conditions and challenging terrain. The track will provide insights into the engineering and business considerations involved in bringing these systems to market.
The business development track focuses on the commercial aspects of robotics, including go-to-market strategies, partnerships, and funding. The enabling technologies track covers the components and systems that make robots possible, from sensors and actuators to software frameworks and communication protocols. The design and development best practices track offers guidance on the engineering processes and methodologies that lead to successful robot deployments.
Nidec DRIVE TECHNOLOGY's participation in the event will include demonstrations of its latest motion control and gearing solutions. The company has stated that it will spotlight two standout solutions at this year's show, though specific product details have not been fully disclosed in the announcement. NDT has emphasized its commitment to helping engineers boost performance, increase precision, and overcome complex design challenges through application-driven solutions. The company has directed interested parties to its website at www.nidec-dtc.com/2025-robobusiness for more information or to schedule a meeting at the event.
The broader context for the event includes significant growth projections for the robotics market. The global autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and automated guided vehicle (AGV) market is expected to reach $14 billion by 2026, according to information cited in the announcement. More than 270 vendors are active in the manufacturing and logistics space, and over 50,000 warehouses worldwide are expected to leverage robots by 2025. These figures highlight the scale of the market that RoboBusiness serves.
One of the challenges facing the industry is the lack of standardization among robot fleets. Robots from different vendors often operate on different operating systems and have historically had no standard way to communicate, share information, or coordinate activities. This interoperability gap has been a persistent issue for organizations looking to deploy mixed fleets of robots from multiple suppliers. The announcement references this challenge, though specific solutions to be presented at the event have not been detailed.
The event's location at the Santa Clara Convention Center places it in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing convenient access for companies and professionals based in the technology hub. The October 15-16 dates for 2025 represent a shift from previous editions of the event, which have been held at different times of the year. The exact schedule of sessions, keynotes, and demonstrations has not been fully disclosed in the announcement, though the overall structure of the event is clear.
What it means for buyers
For buyers and decision-makers in the robotics industry, RoboBusiness 2025 offers a concentrated opportunity to evaluate the current state of the market and identify technologies that can address their specific needs. The event's six conference tracks provide a structured way to explore different aspects of robotics, from the latest research in physical AI and humanoids to practical guidance on design and development.
The presence of more than 60 speakers from companies such as ABB, Agility Robotics, Amazon Robotics, and NVIDIA gives attendees access to perspectives from across the industry. These are organizations that are actively shaping the direction of robotics, and their participation in the event offers insights into where the field is headed. For buyers, this can inform strategic decisions about which technologies to invest in and which vendors to partner with.
The exhibition floor, with over 100 exhibitors, provides a hands-on opportunity to see the latest enabling technologies, products, and services. This is particularly valuable for buyers who are evaluating components or systems for integration into their own products or operations. The ability to see demonstrations and speak directly with vendors can accelerate the evaluation process and help buyers make more informed decisions.
The startup workshop and robotics startup competition are relevant for buyers who are interested in emerging technologies or potential acquisition targets. These segments of the event highlight new companies and innovations that may not yet be widely known, offering early visibility into technologies that could become significant in the coming years.
For organizations in the logistics and manufacturing sectors, the event's coverage of AMRs and AGVs is particularly relevant. The market for these systems is expected to reach $14 billion by 2026, and the challenges of integrating fleets from multiple vendors remain a significant concern. The event's focus on enabling technologies and best practices can help buyers navigate these challenges and make more effective deployment decisions.
The co-located Field Robotics Engineering Forum adds value for buyers interested in robots for outdoor and unstructured environments. This segment of the industry has distinct engineering and regulatory considerations, and the forum provides a dedicated venue for exploring these topics. Similarly, the co-location with DeviceTalks West offers a connection to the medical technology sector, which has its own set of requirements and opportunities.
Nidec DRIVE TECHNOLOGY's participation is notable for buyers who are sourcing motion control and gearing components. The company's focus on high-precision gearing and application-driven solutions speaks to the importance of these foundational technologies in robot performance. Buyers who are designing or manufacturing robots will have the opportunity to evaluate NDT's latest offerings and discuss their specific requirements with the company's representatives.
The event's location in Santa Clara and its production by WTWH Media, the organization behind The Robot Report, lend it credibility and a strong connection to the industry's information ecosystem. For buyers, this means access to a well-organized event with a clear focus on commercial robotics.
It should be noted that specific details about products, pricing, and availability have not been fully disclosed in the announcement. Buyers interested in particular solutions will need to attend the event or contact exhibitors directly for more information. The announcement does not specify the exact number of exhibitors for the 2025 event, with different sources citing figures of over 100 and over 150. Similarly, the full list of speakers and the complete session schedule have not been published in the announcement.
The broader market context provided in the announcement—including the expected growth of the AMR and AGV market to $14 billion by 2026 and the projection of over 50,000 warehouses using robots by 2025—gives buyers a sense of the scale and trajectory of the industry. These figures suggest that robotics adoption will continue to accelerate, making events like RoboBusiness increasingly important for staying informed and connected.
For buyers who are new to robotics or looking to expand their use of these technologies, the event offers a comprehensive introduction to the field. The combination of conference sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities provides multiple ways to learn about the market and build relationships with potential partners and suppliers.
The exact dates of October 15-16 for the 2025 event place it in the fall, a timing that may be convenient for companies planning their annual technology evaluations and procurement cycles. The Santa Clara Convention Center location is well-connected and accessible for both domestic and international attendees.
As with any industry event, buyers should approach RoboBusiness 2025 with a clear sense of their objectives and priorities. The breadth of content and exhibitors means that there is much to see and learn, and having a plan can help attendees make the most of their time. The event's structure, with its six tracks and multiple co-located events, offers flexibility for attendees to tailor their experience to their specific interests.
In summary, RoboBusiness 2025 represents a significant gathering for the commercial robotics industry, with a program that reflects the field's current priorities and future direction. For buyers, it offers an opportunity to evaluate technologies, connect with vendors, and gain insights that can inform their robotics strategies. While specific product details and full schedules remain to be disclosed, the overall shape of the event is clear, and it promises to be a valuable experience for those involved in the development, supply, and deployment of commercial robots.
- ## Sources
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).