KUKA Connexions 2026

Macroeconomic Trends and U.S. Manufacturing

Christopher Chidzik, Principal Economist

Powered by Connexions Event Recap

Steve Forrest, Executive Vice President of Sales & GM

This year, Autotool hosted our first extension event of Connexions, the Autotool Tech Day Powered by Connexions. Powered by Connexions is a new initiative that builds on the momentum we have established leading with both partnership and innovation. Hear more about this inaugural event from Autotool at Connexions 2026.

Think Bigger. Lead Better. Execute with Discipline in the Age of AI and Automation

Edward Hughes, Former CEO, CEO Coach, Board Advisor, Professor

Drawing from decades of experience advising and coaching CEOs, Edward will share practical frameworks for creating clarity, aligning leadership teams, and installing the execution cadence that turns priorities into measurable progress. Attendees will gain actionable insights on leadership discipline, strategic focus, and the habits high performing organizations use to move from planning to execution.

How Financing Can Accelerate Sales

Adam Simon, Executive Vice President of Sales

This session explores how financing can help integrators close larger deals faster by reducing approval friction and spreading costs through manageable monthly payments. Somerset will highlight key points in the sales cycle where financing speeds up decisions, improves cash flow, and gives end users flexible options for ownership, upgrades, or deferred payments—capabilities customers increasingly expect from equipment providers.

Connexions will feature iiQKA-based breakout sessions designed to offer a hands-on experience with the next generation of KUKA software. These sessions will cover topics like simulation, welding applications, vision and pick-and-place applications. We will highlight how iiQKA streamlines workflows and accelerates real-world automation performance.

Breakouts

• Application Building
• Collaboration and Safety
• Simulation
• Welding

Michael Humphrey - Customer Service Sales Consultant, KUKA Robotics

This session discusses how integrators can leverage KUKA's customer service solutions as profit engine of their own. KUKA enables partners to keep end-customer uptime a top priority. Hear about PartnerPRO, the new initiative from KUKA that offers a low-effort method to score wins by reselling KUKA service tools. 

Building a Standard Product with KUKA

Alexis Waxweiler Program Director, Medtronic 

Much goes into bringing a medical device to market, and selecting the right automation partner is a critical part of the process. Hear how Medtronic collaborated with KUKA to develop a standardized solution using the LBR Med, our IEC 60601-01 certified robotic arm, to help advance medical technology.

Breaking New Ground: Startups Redefining Robotics

Innovation is happening at the edges—and this panel brings it front and center. Hear from four pioneering startups—Autowash, LionPower Automation, Maximo, and Alquist 3D—as they push robotics into bold, real-world applications. From construction and infrastructure to cleaning and industrial automation, these companies are transforming how and where robots create value.

Join us for a dynamic conversation on what it takes to challenge convention, deploy cutting-edge technology in the field, and build the future from the ground up.

What's new with KUKA Robotics

• The latest in articulated robots
• Digital engineering
• Software updates

Manuele D'Aversa, President and CEO

Making the Switch to KUKA