Hardware Podcasts

From CES To Factory Floors: Robotics, Labor, And The New Supply Chain, with Shawn DuBravac

EMS@C-LEVEL · 19 Mar 2026 · 23m

What this episode covers

Shawn DuBravac, Chief Economist at the Global Electronics Association, discusses the impact of AI on the electronics supply chain, noting how AI infrastructure crowds out investment in other sectors. He analyzes the robotics landscape, highlighting that while humanoid robots are gaining attention, practical deployment in manufacturing is still 36 to 48 months away, with immediate value found in automating repetitive tasks like palletizing. DuBravac also explains the K-shaped industrial economy, where AI and defense spending thrive while housing and construction struggle, and details how EMS providers are adapting to tariffs through supply chain agility and consolidation.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Global Electronics Association, Waymo, Taiwan Semiconductor, NVIDIA, Tesla, Agility Robotics, Bosch, Koh Young, Device
Also
CES

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 32m

    The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad

    Eddy Azad, CEO of Parsec Automation, discusses the strategic realities of reshoring manufacturing to the United States, arguing that it is a long-term, complex process rather than a simple cost-saving switch. He explains that reshoring makes the most sense for high-value, high-tech products like semiconductors and medical devices where supply chain resilience and innovation are critical, rather than for commoditized goods. Azad highlights that while automation and AI can mitigate higher US labor costs, they require robust data infrastructure and end-to-end integration to be effective. He also addresses the impact of AI on the workforce, noting a shift from manual execution to human-in-the-loop oversight and prompt engineering.

    Policy, trade & tariffsAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 43m

    Lowering the Barrier to Robot Deployment

    Fady Saad and Mark Martin, General Partners at Cybernetix Ventures and Co-Founder of MassRobotics, discuss how advancements in robotics and AI are lowering deployment barriers for manufacturers. They highlight the shift from fixed production lines to 'mass production in quantities of one' enabled by cobots, AMRs, and no-code programming. The guests argue that automation is now a necessity due to labor shortages and supply chain pressures, urging manufacturers to collaborate with startups rather than treating them as simple vendors. They also note that economic downturns often accelerate robotics adoption as companies seek efficiency and cost reduction.

    Robotics & autonomyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    7 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 14m

    Navigating Robotics Through the Political Landscape

    Dr. Henrik Christensen, Qualcomm Chancellor's Chair at UC San Diego and co-founder of Robust AI, discusses the critical intersection of robotics and federal policy, arguing that robotics requires federal attention and coordination similar to AI. He highlights the challenges of reshoring manufacturing, the negative impact of potential tariffs on US robotics, and the necessity of immigration reform to address labor shortages. The conversation also covers the implications of the CHIPS Act, the need for independent semiconductor fabs, and the importance of international partnerships while managing geopolitical risks with China.

    Policy, trade & tariffsHiring & workforce
    11 chapters

  • OnTrack · 22m

    OnTrack PCB Design Podcast 2025 Year in Review

    Host Zach Peterson reviews 2025 industry trends, highlighting how tariffs reshaped global supply chains and spurred UHDI manufacturing expansion in the US. Guests including David Schild, Tyler Richards, and Greg Papandrew discuss the economic realities of reshoring, the technical challenges of high-layer count and rigid-flex PCBs, and the specific innovations in solder paste and substrate materials. The episode also examines the practical application of AI in embedded development and supply chain management, noting both its utility in automating coding tasks and its current limitations in deterministic engineering optimization.

    Sourcing & supply chainAI & machine learning
    12 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.