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| Formation | 1974 |
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| Headquarters | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Fields |
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President | Jeff Burnstein |
| Website | www |
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is a North American trade organization focused on advancing automation technologies, including robotics, machine vision, motion control, artificial intelligence, and related workforce development initiatives. A3 serves manufacturers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, and government organizations involved in industrial automation. [1]
A3 traces its origins to organizations formed to support the emerging industrial robotics industry in North America. Over time, its scope expanded to include machine vision, motion control, artificial intelligence, and broader automation technologies. The organization adopted the name Association for Advancing Automation to reflect this broader mission and industry reach. [2]
AUTOMATE is an annual automation trade show and conference produced by A3. The event focuses on industrial automation technologies, including robotics, machine vision, motion control, artificial intelligence, and workforce development. [3]
AUTOMATE features exhibitors from automation manufacturers, system integrators, and end users, along with conference programming addressing technical innovation, business strategy, and workforce challenges. The location of AUTOMATE rotates among major U.S. cities and has included recurring winter conferences held in Florida in recent years.
A3 represents a broad cross-section of the global robotics and machine vision ecosystem. Member companies include major industrial robot manufacturers, component suppliers, and vision system providers. Companies associated with A3 activities and events have included:
These companies support applications across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries.
A3 administers the Robotic Integrator Certification Program (RICP), an industry certification program designed to evaluate and recognize system integrators that meet defined criteria related to engineering capability, project management, safety practices, and customer support. [4]
The program is intended to provide end users with an objective method for identifying qualified robotic system integrators and to promote best practices within the automation industry.
Certified system integrators recognized through the program have included companies such as:
The Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards are presented annually by A3 to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of robotics technology, application, leadership, and education. The awards are named after Joseph F. Engelberger, a pioneer of the industrial robotics industry.
Recipients of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards have included leaders from industry, academia, and research institutions who have made lasting contributions to robotics and automation. These recipients of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards have included:
A3 operates a range of committees and industry groups that support collaboration across automation sectors. These committees address topics such as robotics, machine vision, motion control, artificial intelligence, standards development, and workforce training.
Committee participation includes representatives from manufacturers, system integrators, end users, academic institutions, and government organizations, with the goal of advancing automation adoption and best practices across industries.
In addition to AUTOMATE, A3 supports conferences, workshops, and industry events throughout the year focused on automation technology, standards, and workforce development. These events are hosted in locations across the United States, including recurring winter conferences held in Florida.