243: Inside Automate 2025: Robotics, Automation Trends, and Expert Insights from Automate LIVE

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1 Jul 2025 · 41m

What this episode covers

Chris Luecke interviews industry leaders at Automate 2025, including Jerry Perez of FANUC America, Bernd Raithel of Siemens Factory Automation, Shawn Donahue and Brian Darling of Raymond Corp, and Ken Crawford of Weidmueller. They discuss the shift from labor shortages to a persistent labor problem, advocating for accessible cobot packages and lean optimization before automation. The conversation highlights the adoption of open operating systems (UOS) by Weidmueller and Siemens' use of digital twins and edge devices to support less experienced workers. Key decisions involve starting with low-hanging fruit applications and prioritizing problem-solving over technology selection.

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