Glimpse Into Manufacturing's Future at the Emerging Technology Center
The Emerging Technology Center returns with curated exhibits designed to challenge how you think about manufacturing's future — and it's free with show registration.
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Phillips Corporation - Education
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The Emerging Technology Center (ETC) showcases the disruptive technologies and visionary concepts reshaping advanced manufacturing, and it is consistently one of the most talked-about stops at the show.
The ETC’s appeal is that it puts forward-looking technology in front of attendees in a single, curated space. At IMTS 2024, the center drew crowds for exhibits that included a next-generation hybrid manufacturing cell from Oak Ridge National Laboratory — combining metal additive, CNC machining and automation — and Apollo, billed as the first commercial humanoid robot, from Apptronik. Defense-focused conversations and a model-based engineering documentary rounded out the showcase.
For 2026, the ETC carries added significance. It anchors the North Building alongside the show’s marquee new feature, a dedicated AI Arena showcasing real-world artificial intelligence applications across manufacturing. The pairing makes the North Building a natural destination for anyone tracking what comes next — emerging hardware concepts in the ETC, applied intelligence next door.
What makes the ETC worth a visit is its framing. The exhibits are chosen to provoke thought about the direction of the industry, not to sell a specific product. A few minutes with a humanoid robot or a hybrid manufacturing cell can shift how you think about your own roadmap — what is five years out, what is closer than you assumed, and what might change the economics of your shop.
The ETC is free with show registration. Check the IMTS app for scheduled demonstrations or talks, and try to visit early in your trip — what you see there can inform how you read the rest of the floor.
