RoboBusiness 2026 panel to discuss reshoring with robots

Robotics is a key driver of manufacturing reshoring in the United States, but there is little consensus on how to best encourage it. Most industrial automation is done by foreign-owned companies, but can recent policies like tariffs and FCC import restrictions help promote reshoring?

At RoboBusiness 2026, taking place October 20-21 in Santa Clara, California, industry experts will discuss how to encourage robotics manufacturers and suppliers to relocate or expand in the United States. They will also examine software advances, the role of workforce development and supply chain challenges related to reshoring.

Additionally, speakers will discuss multinational relationships, cybersecurity and geopolitical concerns driving reshoring efforts, and the need for a national robotics strategy.

About reshoring speakers

Michael Bearman is Chief Legal Officer and Chief Security Officer at Vecna ​​Robotics, where he has been part of the team since its founding. A hardware-enabled platform executive with more than 20 years of experience, he has helped expand regulated technology businesses in government and commercial markets, including nationwide physical infrastructure deployment, securing more than $145 million in federal contracts and supporting more than $100 million in venture capital fundraising.

Bearman is coordinator of the ISO Working Group on Robotics Interoperability, is a member of the ASTM F45 Subcommittee on Robotics, Automation and Autonomous Systems, and ANSI/RIA R15.08 Industrial Mobile Robots, and was co-lead in writing the MassRobotics interoperability standard.

Michael holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington.

Dr. Henrik I. Christensen is Qualcomm Chancellor’s Chair for Robotic Systems and professor emeritus of computer science at the University of California at San Diego, where he directs the Contextual Robotics Institute. His research focuses on robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and the deployment of robots in real-world environments.

Christensen is a principal author of the U.S. National Robotics Roadmap and has been a major contributor to national and international robotics strategy and policy. He has published more than 400 contributions on robotics, artificial intelligence and computer vision and is a member of IEEE and AAAS. Henrik received the 2011 Engelberger Robotics Award, one of the highest honors in the robotics industry.

Dr. Ellie Sakhaee leads policy research on AI and emerging technologies at Google, where she focuses on frontier technologies, AI agents, robotics, and AI for scientific discovery. His background ranges from academic research, public and corporate policy, to artificial intelligence research and development.

As a machine learning scientist with a Ph.D. in computer science, Sakhaee has led teams of engineers, published widely on AI security research, and led teams in building machine learning models and developing risk assessment and mitigation strategies for cutting-edge AI systems. Prior to Google, Ellie worked in Microsoft’s Office of Responsible AI and served in the US Congress, advising on technology policy.

Brendan Schulman is the vice president of policy and government relations at Boston Dynamics, a global leader in the development and deployment of robots with advanced mobility, dexterity and intelligence. In this role, he collaborates with policymakers and stakeholders on a wide range of policy and ethical issues related to the integration of useful robots into society.

Previously, Schulman was a prominent leader in the development of laws, regulations and safety technologies surrounding unmanned aerial systems (commercial drones), playing a key role in solutions at the federal, state and local levels, as well as internationally.

A technology advocate, thought leader, and advocate for pragmatic solutions to concerns raised by emerging technologies, Brendan has served on federal and state policy advisory committees, testified to the U.S. Congress and the U.K. House of Commons, lectures frequently, and is frequently quoted in the media on technology laws and policies.

Eugene Demaitre, moderator, is editorial director of robotics at Arrowfly, which produces RoboBusiness, The Robot Report, Automated Warehouseand the Robotics Summit and Expo.

Before working at Arrowfly, Demaitre was an editor at BNA (now part of Bloomberg), Computer worldTechTarget (now part of Informa) e Robotics Business Review. He has attended conferences around the world and spoken on numerous webinars and podcasts.

Gene is always interested in learning more about robotics. He has a master’s degree from George Washington University and lives in the Boston area.

Register now for RoboBusiness

RoboBusiness 2026 is the leading event for professionals developing and implementing business robots. Attendees will be able to get the latest insights from robotics and AI experts on cutting-edge research; industry trends; and innovative applications in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics and more.

The show also features technology exhibits and networking opportunities to give attendees the chance to connect with other industry experts.

Purchase your full conference pass and get full access to all keynotes, technical sessions, networking receptions and special events. Discounts are also available for the academic world, associations and corporate groups. Please send events via email[at]arrowfly.com for more details on our discount programs.