The startup Launch Pad Competition blasts off at Automate 2017

What does Magic Johnson and a twenty foot robot have in common? You guessed it, Automate 2017. While this might seem like an odd pairing, it accurately reflects the current state of the robotics industry. Already 2017 is on pace to beat last year's $19 billion investment record, with the recent announcements of Intel's $15B purchase of Mobileye; ABB's $2B acquisition of Bernecker & Rainer; and Ford's $1B investment in Argo AI. The excitement inside Chicago's McCormick Center on Wednesday was palpable, as Automate 2017 brought together not just established industrial leaders but also innovative startups at The Launchpad Competition.