# New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2023-05-16
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Misa Ilkhechi, founder of Formic, explains how 'robots as a service' shifts automation from CapEx to OpEx, allowing manufacturers to pay for output rather than owning hardware, a model particularly suited for small-to-medium enterprises. Joe Campbell of Universal Robots highlights the industry shift toward collaborative robots and the enduring necessity of process knowledge, while Etienne Lacroix, CEO of Vention, describes his platform as 'industrial Lego' that democratizes machine design through a browser-based user experience. Finally, Kel Guerin, CIO of Ready Robotics, details their software approach to simplifying robot programming via flowcharts, aiming to empower non-technical factory workers to deploy automation without specialized coding skills.

## Chapters

- [0:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li#t=41) Introduction: Automate 2022 Highlights and Show Overview
- [2:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li#t=179) Misa Ilkhechi on Formic and Robots-as-a-Service Business Models
- [14:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li#t=847) Joe Campbell on Universal Robots, Collaborative Tech, and Industry Evolution
- [20:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li#t=1207) Etienne Lacroix on Vention's 'Industrial Lego' Platform and Branding
- [32:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li#t=1969) Kel Guerin on Ready Robotics and Democratizing Robot Programming

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up, established companies

## Mentioned

- Formic (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Vention (company)
- Ready Robotics (company)
- Honeywell (company)
- Onshape (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- KUKA (company)
- FANUC (company)
- ABB (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Outcome-Based Solution for Deploying Robots w/ Saman Farid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-01-30-an-outcome-based-solution-for-deploying-robots-w-saman-farid) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Democratizing Industrial Automation w/ Etienne Lacroix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-29-democratizing-industrial-automation-w-etienne-lacroix) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Using Robots in High-Mix, Low-Volume Environments w/ Josh Gruenstein](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Configuring the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-05-22-configuring-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Juan Aparicio, Enrico Krog Iversen on improving robotics ease of use](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-03-05-juan-aparicio-enrico-krog-iversen-on-improving-robotics-ease-of-use) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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