Modex 2026 featured more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 50,000 attendees, spotlighting the latest technologies in automation, robotics, and material handling.
The biannual supply chain event, presented by MHI, included developments in palletizing, machine vision, intralogistics control, end-of-arm tooling, and warehouse efficiency solutions.
Across the show floor, exhibitors showcased solutions designed to address integration complexity, labor challenges, and the need for flexible automation in both packaging and logistics environments.
PHOTO GALLERY | Modex 2026 spotlights robotics, automation, and material handling
Editors from Packaging OEM and Automated Warehouse were on the ground in Atlanta. Here are some of the video demos we captured on-site.
Modular gantry palletizing
CODI Manufacturing and Festo showcased the CODI Flex Stack, a compact, gantry-style palletizer built on a Festo platform. The system is designed to simplify end-of-line automation and reduce integration time.
“The amount of time it took us to program and do this integration was almost minimal to no effort,” said Jones, COO of CODI Manufacturing. “We’re going to see a lot more of the industrial robot performance, but we’re going to maintain a cobot-level pricing structure.”
Right-sized packaging
Packaging OEM ran an iPhone and a Hot Wheels van through Packsize’s CVP Impack machine at Modex 2026 to demonstrate how the system creates custom packaging on demand.
The box-last system captures order dimensions in real time, forms a corrugated box around the product, and applies a shipping label, producing a ready-to-ship package without manual intervention.
“So at the end of the process, you have a ready-to-ship package without any person needed or any manual application,” said Adam Fray, vice president of global marketing at Packsize.
RFID wearable scanning and item location
Zebra Technologies unveiled its WS501-R wearable computer, featuring a handheld form factor with integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) and barcode scanning capabilities.
Dan Baldwin, global product manager, showed how the device enables workers to locate specific items by scanning a manifest and using proximity-based feedback.
“They scan the manifest and need to locate one particular item, so now they can search, and they hit the item that they’re looking for, and it’s going to Geiger count based upon how close they are to that particular item,” he said.
Cloud-based RFID tracking for packaging and picking
Xemelgo walked through how its cloud-based RFID software works with Zebra Technologies’ portfolio of RFID readers, handheld devices, and printers.
MORE COVERAGE | Zebra Technologies expands packaging visibility with scan tunnel, RFID tools
Boston Hubbard, senior director, channel and alliances at Xemelgo, explained how the system enables manufacturers to tag and track finished products through the final packaging process, streamlining operations.
“With RFID technology, it’s passive. So nothing is charging this before. There’s no battery in the tag itself,” he said. “With RFID, in a single trigger pull, you’ll see me capture over 100 items.”
Hubbard added that the system supports picking processes and can be used with a manifest to locate items.
Cobots and AGV integration
Delta Electronics Americas showed the D-Bot collaborative robot (cobot), featuring integrated motion, control, drive, and industrial networking systems.
The Robot Report Podcast: Editors recap Modex 2026 palletizing, e-commerce, end-of-line automation
Daniel Chen, product manager, presented the system interacting with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) built on Delta’s automation technologies to demonstrate material flow applications.
“This is our Delta D-Bot, and we offer several different sizes,” said Chen. “The robot has a wireless controller communicating with that AGV.”
Pick-to-light systems
CAPTRON North America highlighted its pick-to-light technology for streamlining warehouse picking processes.
“Labor is a challenge in the market these days, so if we can take 50 pickers and reduce them to 30 by making them more efficient, that’s what we aim to help with,” said Sean Walters, general manager, CAPTRON North America. “We consider ourselves a step function into effective and affordable automation.”
Vacuum suction cup for varied packaging formats
Piab Group previewed its BLFF vacuum suction cup, designed for warehousing applications, and demonstrated handling a variety of packaging formats, including rigid cans, flexible bags, and bottles of water.
“You don’t have to worry about pumping all that high flow pressure to be able to get the vacuum in order to handle the packages,” said David Garcia, area sales manager – west for Piab Group’s vacuum automation and robotic gripping division. “You’ll be able to use this and save yourself a lot of trouble.”
AMR control systems
Beckhoff Automation featured its control technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in intralogistics applications, featuring a compact industrial PC running real-time Linux with TwinCAT and Navitec navigation software.
“It is showing a full Beckhoff control solution for mobile robots. This is a big industry for us. We are not trying to get into mobile robot manufacturing. So, this is just a demo to show off what the ideal solution could look like from Beckhoff,” said Nathan Hibbs, US industry manager – material handling & intralogistics, Beckhoff Automation USA. “The focus is on compact controls and safety.”
Conveyor control and safety
Beckhoff Automation also introduced its EtherCAT-based MDR controller for material handling and intralogistics applications.
READ MORE | Beckhoff enables modular conveyor control, flexibility for material handling systems
“What’s unique about the new MDR controller from Beckhoff is integrated safety,” said Doug Schuchart, global material handling and intralogistics manager. “It’s the only MDR controller on the market that has integrated safety.”
High-efficiency motor technology
Nord Drivesystems discussed its IE5+ motor solutions for warehouse and distribution systems, focused on improving energy efficiency and long-term operational performance.
PODCAST | How Nord Drivesystems improves packaging line automation
“Given time and given chance to switch over to our IE5+ solution here with Nord Drivesystems, we can indeed save your bottom line and give you a solid ROI on products that will help futureproof your business today,” said Scott Brown, key markets specialist – intralogistics, Nord Drivesystems.
Edge-based machine vision sorting
OnLogic demonstrated an edge computing-based machine vision system used to sort items by defined characteristics, such as color.
“In this use case, the machine vision is sorting by whatever characteristics we determine,” said Chuck Nwokocha, sales director at OnLogic.
Autonomous mobile robot systems
Robust.AI presented Carter, an autonomous cobot designed for warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing tasks, including picking, transporting, and sorting.
“Carter is purpose-built to assist in any sort of picking operation, primarily with 3PLs for e-commerce orders, but we can handle a variety of container types,” said Will McInnis, director of sales at Robust.AI.
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