Hardware Podcasts

276: 2026 Automation Industry Outlook, Live from the A3 Business Forum

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 24 Feb 2026 · 1h 09m

What this episode covers

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.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
A3, Novanta, Barden, Shepherd Solutions, TSMC, Intel, Eli Lilly, Universal Studios, Disney, Kuka, NVIDIA, Deloitte, Siemens, Rockwell, FANUC
Also
PLC, Automate 2026, Joseph Engelberger Award

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