International Robots & Vision Show Takes Center Stage, June 5-7

               North America's Leading Event Returns to Chicago
                        for the First Time in 15 Years

    ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 31 Nearly 200 companies, including
20 from Illinois, will exhibit the latest robots, machine vision systems and
related factory automation products at the International Robots & Vision Show,
at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont (Chicago), IL, June 5-7,
2001.  North American manufacturing companies purchase more than $3 billion
worth of these technologies each year, and the biennial Robots & Vision Show,
dating back to 1976, is the industry's leading event.
    Robotics companies, who on average sell more than 50% of their products to
the automotive industry, have been increasing their non-automotive business
for the past several years.  In order to accelerate this trend, the show was
moved from Detroit to Chicago this year for the first time in fifteen years.
    "Having the show in Chicago helps attract more potential customers from
consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, plastics, electronics, and
other non-automotive companies," said Donald A. Vincent, Executive Vice
President of Robotic Industries Association (RIA), one of the event's co-
sponsors along with the Automated Imaging Association (AIA).   "At the same
time, we're still able to draw a large number of automotive supplier
companies, as well as many key people from the big auto manufacturers."
    More than 4,500 manufacturing and engineering professionals are pre-
registered for the show, about 25% ahead of the 1999 show in Detroit.  "It's
clear that despite the slowdown in capital equipment buying that's taking
place right now, companies are interested in robotics and machine vision and
will likely resume major purchases of these technologies once the economy
strengthens," Vincent said.
    An in-depth technical conference, starting on June 4, accompanies the
trade show.  Several of the sessions are targeted at company executives
considering their first investment in robotics and/or machine vision.
    "We're focusing these business sessions on the key strategic issues faced
by company Presidents and CEOs," Vincent said.  "They want to know exactly
what benefits they can expect and how fast their investments in these
technologies will pay off.  They will learn a great deal at our Executive
Track on June 5, including hearing talks from successful user companies such
as Pepperidge Farm, International Truck & Engine, and Sensormatic."
    One session focuses on "Robots Outside the Factory," taking a look at how
robots are being used today in surgical procedures, medical labs, hazardous
environments, and other non-industrial tasks.
    Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 5 and 6,
and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.  The cost to attend is $25 without
an advance ticket -- no one under 16 is admitted.  Conference fees vary --
check http://www.roboticsonline.com or http://www.machinevisiononline.org for full details.
The show office at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center can be reached at
847-653-2950 beginning at 8 a.m. on June 4.
    Founded in 1974 and 1984 respectively, Robotic Industries Association and
Automated Imaging Association are the only North American trade groups
representing robotics and machine vision technologies.  Together, the
associations have more than 500 member companies, including leading
manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, research
groups, and consulting firms.

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