Metropolis Robotics’ full-size humanoid partnered with Adams Elevator to turn a trade show booth into an interactive experience for the vertical transportation industry

CHICAGO, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Metropolis Robotics, an Illinois company that brings humanoid robots to live events, today announced the results of its activation at the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) 2026 Convention & Exposition, held Sept. 28–Oct. 1 at McCormick Place in Chicago. SKYE, the company’s full-size humanoid robot, appeared in the Adams Elevator booth, greeting attendees and drawing crowds throughout the show.

The activation was the idea of Molly Cruz, National Sales and Process Manager at Adams Elevator, who saw an opportunity to give the vertical transportation industry something it had never seen on a show floor. It builds on her track record of bringing new booth technology to NAEC. Adams co-branded SKYE for the show, making the robot part of the booth’s identity rather than a standalone attraction.

SKYE also walked the show aisles carrying Adams-branded first aid kits, inviting attendees to take one, which drew people in for photos and gave them something useful to take home. What would usually be a routine booth visit became something people stopped to watch, photograph and share.

“Our booth has always been about giving contractors a reason to stop and talk with us, and SKYE did exactly that,” said Molly Cruz, National Sales and Process Manager, Adams Elevator. “People lined up to meet SKYE, took photos and came back with colleagues. It was the most talked-about booth we’ve had at NAEC.”

“Molly saw the potential to bring something new to the industry,” said Randy Harju, founder of Metropolis Robotics. “Her forward thinking helped introduce SKYE to the elevator industry, demonstrating how an unexpected experience can draw people in, spark curiosity, and create opportunities for meaningful conversations.”

The NAEC appearance follows SKYE activations at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show and the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair. One week after NAEC, Metropolis Robotics partnered with Cognizant’s Life Sciences consulting team to bring SKYE to a corporate town hall for a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical leader at The Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Ill. Metropolis Robotics will next demonstrate SKYE at IMEC’s NextGen Manufacturing AI Summit on Nov. 12, 2026, in Downers Grove, Ill. To learn more about SKYE or book an activation, visit metropolisrobo.com/skye-humanoid-robot

About 3DL Design and Metropolis Robotics
Since 1985, Gurnee, Illinois-based 3DL Design, Inc. has designed and built custom trade show exhibits for clients nationwide. Its sister company, Metropolis Robotics, brings SKYE, its humanoid robot, to trade shows and corporate events. Together they deliver the booth and the attraction that draws the crowd. Learn more at 3dldesign.com and metropolisrobo.com.

Media Contact:
Ben Diamond, VP Sales | Metropolis Robotics | 224-789-7046 | sales@metropolisrobo.com

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SOURCE 3DL Design