Beyond the Booth: Discover the Full Sensing Ecosystem at
Automate 2026

Chicago in June is known for deep-dish pizza and lakefront views, but from June 22–25, 2026, the real action is happening at McCormick Place. Automate 2026 is coming to the Windy City, and Hokuyo USA is bringing much more than a collection of sensors.

Our theme this year is "Insight to Impact," a concept that goes beyond detection and focuses on how sensing technology drives measurable operational improvements. Manufacturers are not simply looking for sensors; they are looking for ways to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability across their operations.

When you visit the Hokuyo booth, you will see more than individual products on display. You will experience a portfolio of sensing technologies designed to support navigation, safety, obstacle detection, positioning, and communication across modern automation environments.

From advanced LiDAR solutions to safety laser scanners and optical data transmission technologies, each product plays a role in helping automation systems operate with greater awareness and precision. Let's explore the technologies that make this possible.

Perfecting Navigation with 3D Awareness

For autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), reliable navigation depends on accurate environmental awareness. The ability to detect obstacles, identify elevation changes, and interpret complex surroundings helps automation systems operate more effectively in dynamic industrial environments.

The UCT-10LCM is a compact, ultra-slim 3D LiDAR sensor designed to provide multi-layer detection with a 100° horizontal and 6° vertical field of view and a detection range of up to 10 meters. While traditional 2D LiDAR sensors capture data across a single scanning plane, the UCT-10LCM provides additional depth information to support applications requiring enhanced spatial awareness.

This capability is particularly valuable for applications such as cliff detection, obstacle recognition, and pallet pocket detection. For example, automated forklifts can use the sensor's multi-layer detection capabilities to help identify pallet openings during material handling operations. Likewise, mobile robots can use the additional spatial information to detect changes in floor elevation and other environmental features.

By incorporating 3D LiDAR sensors, automation systems gain a richer understanding of their surroundings, supporting more informed operational decisions in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial environments.

 

 

Ensuring Safety with Intelligent Scanning

Safety is a critical component of modern automation environments, particularly where people and mobile equipment operate in close proximity. In these applications, protection systems must be flexible enough to support productivity while helping reduce operational risk.

The UAM-05LP safety laser scanner is designed to support personnel protection around AMRs, AGVs, and other automated systems. This compact safety scanner features a 5 m protection zone, a 20 m warning zone, and a 270° field of view, enabling broad-area monitoring in space-constrained environments.

Configurable warning and protection zones allow automation systems to respond appropriately when personnel or objects enter designated areas. Depending on the application, these zones can be used to trigger machine responses, including alerts or stop signals, helping support safe operation without relying solely on physical barriers.

Compared to traditional safety bumpers or fixed guarding, the UAM-05LP provides a flexible, software-configurable approach to machine safeguarding. Its configurable protection strategies allow safety coverage to be tailored to the application's operating requirements, supporting both personnel safety and operational efficiency.

 

 

Eliminating Mechanical Wear with Optical Data Transmission

Connectivity is essential in industrial automation, enabling equipment, control systems, and moving machinery to exchange critical operational data. In applications involving continuous motion, traditional cabling solutions can be subject to mechanical wear, increasing maintenance requirements over time.

The BWF series optical data transmission devices address this challenge through contactless infrared communication. Supporting bidirectional data transmission at distances of up to 200 m, the BWF series enables reliable communication between stationary and moving equipment without relying on physical cable connections.

Using infrared light to transmit data across an air gap, these systems help eliminate the wear commonly associated with festoon cables, slip rings, and other mechanical communication methods. This approach can help reduce maintenance requirements while supporting long-term system reliability.

For applications such as overhead cranes, transfer cars, and automated material handling systems, optical data transmission provides a practical solution for maintaining communication across moving equipment. By eliminating physical contact points, the BWF series helps support consistent communication in demanding industrial environments.

 

 

Driving Precision with High-Speed Detection

In industrial automation, precision depends on the ability to detect and respond to changing conditions quickly and accurately. Reliable environmental data helps robots, AGVs, and automated systems make informed operational decisions in dynamic environments.

The UST series, including the UST-10LX, is designed to provide high-speed, high-resolution 2D LiDAR sensing for navigation and obstacle detection applications. Featuring a 270° field of view and a compact form factor, the UST-10LX delivers detailed environmental data while fitting easily into space-constrained automation systems.

Fast scanning performance enables automation systems to identify changes in their surroundings and respond appropriately. For example, if an unexpected object enters the travel path of an AGV, the sensor can provide the environmental data needed for the vehicle's navigation system to evaluate and respond to the situation.

This combination of compact design, wide-area coverage, and reliable detection has made the UST series a widely adopted solution across robotics and industrial automation applications. By providing accurate, real-time environmental awareness, the UST-10LX helps support efficient and reliable system operation.

 

 

Visualizing the Impact in Chicago

At Automate 2026, we are showcasing more than individual sensing technologies—we are demonstrating how complementary sensing solutions can support modern automation environments. From navigation and obstacle detection to personnel protection and industrial communication, each technology contributes to a more informed and responsive operation.

The UCT-10LCM provides multi-layer 3D sensing for enhanced spatial awareness, the UAM-05LP supports personnel protection through configurable safety monitoring, the BWF series enables contactless industrial communication, and the UST series delivers high-speed environmental detection for navigation and obstacle awareness.

Together, these technologies help automation systems operate with greater visibility, awareness, and reliability. This is the idea behind "Insight to Impact"—transforming real-time sensing data into meaningful operational improvements.

We invite you to visit us at Booth #17027 at McCormick Place to see these technologies in action. Our team will be available to discuss how Hokuyo sensing solutions can support your specific automation goals, whether in manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or heavy industrial applications.

Let's Build Smarter Automation Together

Selecting the right sensing technology is an important step in any automation project. Equally important is understanding how those technologies can support your operational goals, application requirements, and long-term growth plans.

Whether you are enhancing a single AGV, improving facility safety, modernizing crane operations, or expanding automation across an entire warehouse, Hokuyo's team is here to help you evaluate the right sensing solutions for your environment.

Interested in learning more about 2D and 3D LiDAR, safety laser scanners, or optical data transmission technologies? Our experts are available to discuss your application and help identify solutions that align with your operational objectives.

Explore our resources to learn more about the technologies featured at Automate 2026—or connect with our team directly to discuss your next project.