US Industrial Technology & Mobility: Automate 2026 Takeaways: Automation Momentum Remains Constructive

Research evidence excerpt

US Industrial Technology & Mobility: Automate 2026 Takeaways: Automation Momentum Remains Constructive

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23 Jun 2026 20:48:42 ET │ 13 pages

US Industrial Technology & Mobility

Automate 2026 Takeaways: Automation Momentum Remains

Constructive

Andrew Kaplowitz AC

CITI'S TAKE +1-212-816-0642

Our conversations with industry participants at Automate reinforce our view andrew.kaplowitz@citi.com

that industrial automation adoption continues to inflect, driven by new and Atif Malikexisting technologies (including AI) as well as increasing convergence of

automation hardware and software. We get the sense that a broadening +1-415-951-1892

range of customers recognize the need for digitization, with connected- atif.malik@citi.com

systems and software-enabled equipment supporting a more holistic view Piyush Avasthy

of operations and contributing to enhanced productivity and reduced piyush.avasthy@citi.comdowntime, ultimately driving favorable ROI outcomes. While we sensed

excitement on AI/Gen AI, we view adoption as still in the early stages, with Vladimir Bystricky

customers identifying potential use cases, and conversations moving in the vladimir.bystricky@citi.com

right direction as AI becomes more embedded with automation

platforms/workflows. Consistent with our automation survey, we continue Elizabeth Sun, CFA

to see durable structural tailwinds underpinning the industrial automation elizabeth.sun@citi.com

end market, and we maintain our preference for ROK and EMR and see solid

demand potential for HON, CGNX, ZBRA, and FTV.

Additional takeaways — We get the sense that automation and digitization are

increasingly converging with intelligent devices generating data that is increasingly

being leveraged across multiple applications such as preventive maintenance, early