XPO+ Site Visits
See Autonomy at Work — Where It’s Being Built, Tested, and Deployed
New to XPONENTIAL 2026, XPO+ Site Visits are a FREE, exclusive opportunity for VIP attendees to step inside organizations shaping the future of uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics.
These curated, offsite visits offer small groups direct access to real-world environments where research, testing, manufacturing, and operations are actively underway. Built to complement XPONENTIAL’s on-site programming, XPO+ Site Visits connect the ideas discussed on stage to the places where systems are manufactured, validated, integrated, and put to work.
2026 XPO+ Site Visit Opportunities
(VIP Access · Limited Capacity · No Additional Cost · Advance Registration Required)
Expand a host below to view details. Additional sites will be added as they are confirmed.
- Location: 1400 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI
- Timing: Monday, May 11 | 10:00am – 12:30pm
- Transportation: Walking
About LIFT
LIFT, the National Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is a nonprofit, public-private partnership with the Department of Defense connecting industry, academia and government in support of our nation’s economy and national security. LIFT, and its partners, Drives American Advanced Manufacturing Into the Future through technology and talent development by accelerating the development and deployment of innovative advanced materials and manufacturing processes into the industrial base on behalf of the warfighter, along with the educational tools needed to utilize those innovations.
LIFT’s 100,000-square-foot headquarters in Detroit, Michigan showcases the “art of the possible” in the future of manufacturing and serves as a sandbox where the U.S. industrial base can design, test, and prototype new materials, processes, systems, and curricula. Highlights of LIFT’s facility tour include LIFT’s Advanced Metallic Production and Processing Center, Advanced Characterization Lab, Learning Lab, Humvee Project Display, Siemens Digital Twin Smart Factory Showcase, and Kearney Digital Model Factory.
What You’ll Experience
Explore LIFT’s 100,000-square-foot innovation showcase through a series of guided tour stops that immerse you in advanced manufacturing technology, materials innovation, and workforce development at a national DoD-supported manufacturing innovation institute, where public–private partnership is in action.
Participants will tour:
- Kearney Digital Model Factory – See Industry 4.0 and smart factory technologies improve efficiency, safety, and quality through an engaging, hands-on line.
- Siemens eXplore Center – Learn how digital twins and automation optimize real production workflows.
- Advanced Metallics Production & Processing Center – Explore R&D-scale metal powder and feedstock production capabilities
- Advanced Characterization Lab – Understand how data links chemistry, processing history, and performance.
- LIFT Learning Lab – Industrial lab experiences giving students and workers the manufacturing competitive edge.
Agenda Snapshot
- 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Leave for LIFT
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Registration & Networking
- 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: LIFT welcome & overview
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: LIFT High Bay Tour begins, stops include:
- Kearney – Digital Model Factory
- Siemens – Explore Center
- LIFT – Advanced Metallics Production & Processing Cetner (AMPP)
- LIFT – Characterization Lab
- LIFT – Learning Lab
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Q&A & Closing Remarks
- 12:30 PM: Tour ends, depart for Huntington Place
- 12:45 PM: Arrive at Huntington Place
Status: Registration opening soon
How to Participate
XPO+ Site Visits are exclusively available to VIP pass holders and are intentionally limited in size to ensure a high-quality, immersive experience.
Advance registration is required. Attendance is confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to capacity limits set by each host organization.
Upon confirmation, detailed instructions, including meeting location, departure times, and any site-specific requirements, will be provided in advance.
Note: Registration indicates interest and does not guarantee participation. Attendance is subject to confirmation by host organization. Registered attendees will be notified of their status no later than May 1, 2026.
What to Expect
Each XPO+ Site Visit is designed to be:
- Educational: Focused on real-world applications and active programs
- Immersive: Conducted within operational, research, or manufacturing environments
- Engaging: Enabling direct interaction with the teams building and operating autonomous and uncrewed systems
Content may include facility tours, demonstrations, briefings, or moderated discussions, depending on the site. Please refer to the host agenda for full details.
Important Information
- Participation requires advance registration and confirmation
- Attendance caps are strictly enforced
- Hosts may require safety briefings, waivers, or access restrictions
- Photography, recording, and confidentiality policies vary by site
Why Attend an XPO+ Site Visit?
XPO+ Site Visits are designed for attendees who want to:
- See autonomy and uncrewed systems in real operational environments
- Gain deeper insight beyond sessions and exhibits
- Engage directly with organizations advancing the state of the art
- Experience XPONENTIAL through a more applied, experiential lens
