Hardware Podcasts

A History Lesson in Robotics with Scot Lindemann, CEO of Mission Design and Automation

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 31 May 2022 · 40m

What this episode covers

Scot Lindemann, CEO of Mission Design and Automation, reflects on his 30-year career in robotics, from earning a degree at Lake Superior State University in the 1980s to leading a Western Michigan-based integrator today. He discusses the evolution of robotics technology, noting that while hardware and software have become more powerful and easier to use, the core challenge remains identifying the right manufacturing problems to solve. Lindemann also shares insights on leadership, the indirect ROI of automation for small and mid-sized businesses, and the history of the Automate trade show.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Mission Design and Automation, JR Automation, A3, RIA
Also
Lake Superior State University, Georgia Tech, Automate

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 28m

    The New ROI of Automation w/ Scot Lindemann

    Scot Lindemann, CEO of Mission Design & Automation, explains that the ROI of automation must extend beyond simple labor replacement to include quality, consistency, and labor availability. He argues that automation should be treated as a continuous improvement journey rather than an all-or-nothing investment, citing examples like a football manufacturer who found value in smaller, targeted automations instead of a full line overhaul. Lindemann highlights how automating expensive capital equipment, such as in injection molding, can unlock hidden capacity without necessarily replacing the human operator. He advises manufacturers to start small, partner with integrators for long-term support, and focus on reducing process fragility caused by labor shortages.

    Scaling productionPricing, margins & unit economics
    6 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 18m

    Ted Larson from OLogic shares robot development stories

    Ted Larson, co-founder and CEO of OLogic, discusses the complexities of developing commercial robotics, emphasizing the need to focus on solving specific market problems rather than just building robots. He shares insights on the transition from ROS to ROS 2, the importance of design for manufacturing, and the emerging role of Edge AI in applications like mobile manipulation and connected fitness. Larson also highlights the potential of large language models to democratize robot programming through natural language interfaces.

    Embedded firmwareAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 20m

    An Interview with John Davis

    Chris Gammell, founder of Paul Davis Automation and 3ML, discusses his transition from software engineering to industrial sales and the realities of selling mechatronics solutions. He explains the economics of manufacturer's representation, the persistence of legacy technologies like ladder logic and Allen-Bradley PLCs, and the high stakes of industrial downtime. Gammell also details his company 3ML, which builds industrial IoT devices and data collection hardware for factories, emphasizing the value of solving specific engineering problems over generic connectivity.

    Direct-to-consumer & e-commerceEmbedded firmware
    6 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 24m

    Amplifiers of the workforce: The future of robots in manufacturing w/ Ryan Lillibridge

    Ryan Lillibridge, Director of Business Development at Mission Design & Automation, discusses the evolution of robotics in manufacturing, emphasizing that robots act as 'amplifiers' for the workforce rather than job replacements. He explains how advancements in cobots, vision systems, and soft robotics are addressing labor shortages and allowing for flexible, high-mix production. Lillibridge highlights the shift from traditional high-volume industrial robots to adaptable collaborative robots that can be redeployed across different applications and shifts.

    Robotics & autonomyHiring & workforce
    5 chapters

  • EMS@C-LEVEL · 5m

    Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond

    Piotr Owczarek, President of Fideltronik, discusses the company's seven-year journey to develop AI-driven robotics for electronic manufacturing services (EMS). He explains how a team of 170 engineers in Krakow is creating flexible automation that mimics human operators to address labor shortages and cost pressures. Owczarek details their 'academy for robots' concept, where collective knowledge is stored in the cloud to allow robots to learn from each other without daily programming. The episode highlights that major EMS companies are currently engaged in pilot programs to validate this technology before full-scale adoption.

    AI & machine learningRobotics & autonomy
    5 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Manufacturing Happy Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.