# From Robotics to Workforce to Tech in Pop Culture with FedEx’s Aaron Prather

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2021-06-15
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Aaron Prather, Senior Technical Advisor at FedEx, discusses his 25-year career from materials handler to robotics evangelist, emphasizing that workforce buy-in is critical for automation success. He highlights FedEx's focus on picking, placing, and mobile robotics to handle e-commerce volume, while advocating for workforce development through organizations like the ARM Institute and eKami. Prather shares advice on networking, targeting 'dull, dirty, dangerous' jobs for automation, and leveraging pop culture like Futurama to inspire interest in technology.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=0) Introduction and Memphis Breweries
- [6:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=381) Aaron Prather's Career at FedEx
- [10:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=607) Pop Culture Influences: Buck Rogers and Futurama
- [14:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=853) Networking and Career Advancement Strategies
- [22:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=1326) Robotics Applications in Logistics
- [34:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=2070) Workforce Development and eKami
- [48:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather#t=2881) Sports Analogies and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- FedEx (company)
- ARM Institute (company)
- eKami (company)
- Ghost River Brewery (company)
- Wise Acre Brewery (company)
- Futurama (other)
- Buck Rogers (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why Softbank is shopping Boston Dynamics; FedEx's Aaron Prather](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-11-why-softbank-is-shopping-boston-dynamics-fedexs-aaron-prather) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Get Started w/ Data Collection & Robotics Today w/ Aaron Prather](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-17-get-started-w-data-collection-robotics-today-w-aaron-prather) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [ASTM's Aaron Prather on standards and evaluating new robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-02-09-astms-aaron-prather-on-standards-and-evaluating-new-robots) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [FedEx's parcel-handling robots; Waymo & Fiat; MassRobotics on startups dealing with COVID-19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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