ANN ARBOR, MI-In the past, the International Robots & Vision Show has been a stand-alone event that drew wide attendance from manufacturing and design engineers. However, in 2005, the Robots & Vision Show will be colocated with Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo), to be held Sept. 27 to 29, 2005, in Rosemont, IL.

By combining the two shows, some 850 suppliers of automation technology, including robotics, machine vision and assembly equipment, will be on hand to help assemblers best meet their needs. "The initial reaction from past exhibitors and attendees has been outstanding," says Donald A. Vincent, executive vice president of the Robotic Industries Association (RIA). "Based on the enthusiasm that we're hearing, we think this will become the ‘must attend' venue for global manufacturing leaders in 2005."

As part of the agreement, the RIA and the Automated Imaging Association will endorse ATExpo's Robotics Pavilion in 2004 and develop conference sessions on robotics and machine vision.

The 2004 ATExpo will be held Sept. 28 to 30 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. For more information about the shows, visit www.robotics-online.com or www.atexpo.com.