XPONENTIAL 2026 Comes to Detroit at a Pivotal Moment for Autonomous Systems

February 12, 2026

• XPONENTIAL 2026 convenes industry, government, and end users as robotics and autonomous systems move from pilots into production
• Detroit provides the manufacturing, defense, logistics, and infrastructure context where autonomy must now be proven
• Programming centers on deployment, policy and operational readiness as robotics and autonomous systems scale

Detroit, MI (February 12, 2026)—The world’s largest global conference for robotics and autonomous systems, co-hosted by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA), is coming to Detroit for the first time—signaling a shift as robotics and autonomous systems move beyond experimentation and into widespread use. Taking place May 11–14 at Huntington Place, XPONENTIAL 2026 will convene industry, government, and end users as questions of safety, trust, regulation, and scale increasingly shape how, and where, autonomy is deployed.

“The future of robotics and autonomous systems will be shaped by public trust, safety, and the ability to scale responsibly,” said Michael Robbins, AUVSI President and CEO. “XPONENTIAL 2026 brings the global autonomy ecosystem to Detroit at a pivotal moment. With its leadership in building, testing, and deploying complex systems at scale, Detroit is the ideal place for the industry to tackle adoption and integration challenges together.”

Detroit’s leadership in mobility, advanced manufacturing, defense, and applied testing, along with its growing autonomy ecosystem, makes it an ideal host city. The region sits at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, mobility, and defense, with close proximity to OEMs, suppliers, research institutions, government partners, and end users. Detroit’s location along a major freshwater trade corridor and an active international border further mirrors the complex, real-world environments autonomous systems increasingly must navigate, from logistics and port operations to infrastructure monitoring and security.

“XPONENTIAL has always reflected where the autonomy industry actually stands,” said Tom Mitchell, CEO of MDNA. “In 2026, that picture is clear: the industry is moving beyond pilots and promises and into deployment. Bringing XPONENTIAL to Detroit underscores that autonomy is now about performance in real conditions, not just innovation.”

What to expect at XPONENTIAL 2026

XPONENTIAL 2026 programming will focus on how robotics and autonomous systems move from development to operational use. Attendees—including innovators, regulators, policymakers, government stakeholders, technologists, operators, engineers, startups, and end users from more than 20 industries and 60 countries—will have the opportunity to connect, learn, and experience cutting-edge autonomous technologies in action from more than 550 exhibitors.

The conference will feature keynote sessions from senior government, industry, and defense leaders examining the direction of the autonomy ecosystem, the tradeoffs shaping deployment, and the policy and operational decisions influencing adoption. Keynote speakers include:

• Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy
• Arthur Herman, New York Times Bestselling Author & Historian

More than 100 sessions across six core tracks—including policy and governance, technology, enterprise operations, workforce development, and autonomy in action—will provide practical insight into how robotics and autonomous systems are being implemented across sectors.

Hands-on demonstrations, workshops, and government- and end-user-led sessions will showcase deployed technologies and operational lessons across mobility, defense, infrastructure, energy, and public safety.

New and expanded in 2026, XPONENTIAL introduces a Monday evening keynote to open the event, expanded government-led roundtables, and interactive problem-solving sessions focused on deployment challenges.

The event will also feature a strengthened defense focus through the co-location of AUVSI Defense and the Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX), bringing autonomy innovators together with more than 3,000 defense, government, and industry professionals and directly connecting emerging technologies with acquisition, manufacturing, and deployment priorities. In addition to on-site receptions and meetups, attendees can expand their networking opportunities through the official XPONENTIAL 2026 App, powered by Brella, which allows participants to discover relevant contacts and request 1:1 meetings during the event.

Registration is now open. Credentialed media can register to gain access to live demonstrations, hands-on showcases, and the conversations shaping the future of autonomy. Explore the full conference program and more information about XPONTENTIAL 2026 at xponential.org.

About AUVSI

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics industry. AUVSI advocates for policy, education, and innovation that support safe and productive use of uncrewed systems.

About MDNA

Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA), located in Chicago, Illinois, is the U.S. subsidiary of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH in Germany – one of the world’s largest organizers of international trade shows for the machinery, medical, retail, lifestyle and leisure industries. Messe Düsseldorf became the first German trade show organizer to establish a permanent, fully staffed office in the U.S. when it opened MDNA in 1986.

About MDEX

MDEX, hosted by NDIA’s Michigan Chapter, is one of the premier defense industry events, bringing together DoD buyers, prime contractors, small businesses, and academic partners. Attendees gain direct access to government briefings, industry exhibits, and one-on-one matchmaking with military and procurement leaders.

Partnering with MDEX provides unparalleled visibility and connections across the defense supply chain, making it a powerful platform for growth and collaboration.