Ford Manufacturing Innovation Expo
Ford World Headquarters, Dearborn, MI, Nov. 5, 2025

Fifteen Industry 4.0 startups and companies, including Detect-It, were introduced to Ford through live pitches and demos, each carefully curated to align with Ford’s specific areas of interest. These startups represented some of the most promising advancements in manufacturing, automation, and data-driven technologies shaping the future of industry.

While everyone else had the standard laptop, monitor and banner stand, showing canned videos and boilerplate marketing spots, Detect-It was running 2 live demos, one created that morning in the booth!

The event brought together representatives from more than 20 Ford North America facilities, creating a dynamic environment for meaningful conversations, cross-functional learning, and hands-on exploration of new tools and solutions. From robotics and smart sensors to predictive analytics and AI, the expo showcased the next wave of technologies designed to help Ford and its partners operate more efficiently and sustainably. Even Boston Dynamics’ Spot, The Agile Mobile Robot made an appearance! 

The impact of the event is already being felt beyond the expo floor. Follow-up activities are underway between Ford and participating startups, signaling early steps toward collaboration and implementation. These ongoing conversations highlight the value of creating spaces where emerging technology providers and established industry leaders can meet, share ideas, and drive progress together.

The Ford Innovation Expo demonstrated that when forward-thinking companies and cutting-edge startups connect, the result is more than just inspiration, it’s momentum toward a smarter, more connected future for manufacturing.