Avnet showcased its latest design, AI and supply chain capabilities at Autodesk University 2026 in Las Vegas from Sept. 15-17. The annual Design & Make Conference brought together thousands of engineers, designers and manufacturing professionals, providing an ideal opportunity for Avnet to demonstrate how organizations can make smarter decisions earlier in the product development lifecycle.
Throughout the event, the Avnet team engaged attendees through hands-on demonstrations, technical education sessions and thought leadership discussions focused on accelerating the journey from concept to production. By combining real-time component intelligence, supply chain expertise and AI-powered insights, Avnet demonstrated how engineers can reduce risk, improve efficiency and bring products to market faster.
Through presentations, panel discussions and technical sessions, Avnet experts explored how AI-powered tools enable real-time supply chain intelligence earlier in development workflows. Attendees also saw how the Avnet App for Autodesk Fusion integrates inventory, pricing and lead-time insights directly into the design process, helping engineers make more informed decisions from the start. In the Avnet-sponsored AU2026 Factory Experience, participants gained hands-on experience with the application and learned how embedded supply chain insights can help accelerate product development.
Hackster also showcased creator-led innovation through The Neon Cowboy, a custom interactive installation developed by Hackster Pro creator Jeremy Cook for Autodesk University 2026. Inspired by the iconic Vegas Vic sign, the project combined mechanical design, custom electronics, embedded control systems, audio interaction and programmable LED lighting to create a unique attendee experience on the show floor. The installation served as both a visual attraction and a demonstration of how Autodesk Fusion can support the journey from concept and design through fabrication and deployment.
The complete build documentation, including design files, electronics, code and project details, is available on Hackster.io through Jeremy Cook’s Vegas Neon Cowboy project. Hackster is also inviting creators to help shape Autodesk University 2027 through a new design challenge focused on developing next year’s featured project.
The event also highlighted the continued collaboration between Avnet and Autodesk to streamline product development through integrated design and supply chain intelligence. With the Avnet Add-In for Autodesk Fusion, engineers gain access to real-time component availability, pricing and reference designs directly within their design environment, helping them make faster decisions, reduce supply chain risk and bring products to market more efficiently.
As the only integration that brings Avnet’s 100+ years of supply chain expertise directly into Autodesk Fusion, the add-in enables engineers to assess component availability, optimize costs and identify potential sourcing risks before designs are finalized. Available now through the Autodesk App Store, the free add-in helps connect product design with supply chain planning from the earliest stages of development.
For more information, visit the Avnet App for Autodesk Fusion.
