Hardware Podcasts

APEX 2025 Keynote: Kevin Surace on AI, Automation and Digital Transformation

EMS@C-LEVEL · 25 Mar 2025 · 10m

What this episode covers

Kevin Surace, keynote speaker at APEX 2025, explains how AI and humanoid robotics are enabling the transition to lights-out factories by automating tasks on existing human-sized equipment. He argues that AI-driven supply chain forecasting can smooth out demand fluctuations, though it cannot predict black swan events like COVID. Surace highlights that generative AI drastically increases productivity in content creation and business operations, allowing companies to grow revenue with a declining workforce.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Koh Young, Creative Electron, Global Electronics Association
Products
Neptune C+
Also
Claude, Gemini, OpenAI, gpt-4, ChatGPT

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Being an Engineer · 57m

    S4E43 Kevin Surace | How To Use AI For Engineering

    Kevin Surace, an AI keynote speaker and founder of Appvance, explains that large language models are statistical tools that amplify human intelligence rather than replace it, comparing them to calculators for language. He argues that AI will increase productivity, potentially leading to shorter workweeks, and helps engineers by generating novel design ideas, writing code, and improving quality assurance through computer vision. Surace emphasizes that while AI is not yet good at designing complex machinery, it excels at processing vast amounts of technical data to suggest solutions and automate routine tasks. He advises engineers to use AI as a co-pilot for communication, coding, and creative problem-solving to overcome skill gaps and accelerate their careers.

    AI & machine learningEmbedded firmware
    9 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 08m

    2023 year in review: GenAI, humanoids dominate robotics industry

    Steve Crow, Mike Oitzman, and Gene Demaitre review 2023 robotics trends, highlighting how Generative AI and humanoid robots are reshaping the industry. They discuss Ken Goldberg’s insights on large multimodal models enabling natural language interaction and action planning, while Ash Sharma and Jeff Linnell analyze the commercial potential of humanoids like Agility Robotics' Digit and Tesla's Optimus in flexible warehouse applications. The episode also covers the market slowdown, the failure of Cruise, and the rise of trailer unloading solutions from companies like Fox Robotics and Boston Dynamics.

    AI & machine learningRobotics & autonomy
    9 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 09m

    276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum

    Host Chris Luecke interviews economists and industry leaders at the A3 Business Forum about the 2026 automation outlook. Economist Alex Chausovsky argues that manufacturing is transitioning from uncertainty to complexity, urging companies to rely on hard CapEx data rather than sentiment. Bob Little of Novanta and Alex Shikany of A3 discuss the $1+ trillion investment boom in US manufacturing and the critical role of smart automation in addressing labor shortages. Faye Goldstein of Barden and Stu Shepherd of Shepherd Solutions explore practical AI implementation in sales and the rigorous safety standards developed through theme park robotics.

    Scaling productionAI & machine learning
    7 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 29m

    Trends in Supply Chain Robotics with John Santagate

    John Santagate, Senior Vice President of Global Robotics at Infios, discusses the company's rebranding from Currier Supply Chain Software and its evolution into a comprehensive supply chain execution platform. He analyzes recent trade show trends, highlighting the shift from 'goods-to-person' to 'tote-to-person' automation and the emerging role of AI in slotting optimization and workflow management. The episode also features an interview with Elliot Helms from Novanta and Aleksandr Malashchenko from Revimo, detailing how Novanta’s mentorship helped the early-stage medical robotics startup Revimo refine its mobility device for serial manufacturing.

    Scaling productionAI & machine learning
    7 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 09m

    AI Tooling with Matt Liberty and Luke Beno

    Matt Liberty of Joulescope and Luke Beno of Tundra Labs and Werewolf.us discuss building custom AI-driven ERP systems to manage small-scale hardware businesses. They detail how AI tools like Claude Code and OpenClaw automate firmware debugging, protocol analysis for Juki pick-and-place machines, and inventory tracking via DigiKey and Mouser APIs. The guests emphasize that while AI accelerates software and operational workflows, it currently struggles with hardware design, arguing that engineers must retain fundamental physical intuition to effectively guide and debug AI-generated code and designs.

    Embedded firmwareAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EMS@C-LEVEL. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.