# BONUS: Software-Defined Automation: The Future of Industrial Control (sponsored by Siemens)

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-07-21
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

David Nichols, CEO of Loupe, and Siemens’ Kristen Quasey and Jan Bajorat discuss software-defined automation (SDA) as a fusion of software engineering and operational technology. They explain how SDA enables rapid scaling, reduced time-to-market, and remote debugging by decoupling software from hardware constraints. The conversation highlights the role of the Society of Automation Software Engineers (SASE) in building community and addresses how global workforce shortages are driving manufacturers toward this flexible, software-centric approach.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=0) Introduction: Software-Defined Automation and SASE
- [3:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=214) Defining SDA: The Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fusion
- [5:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=320) Siemens Perspective: Flexibility and New Engineer Workflows
- [7:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=469) The Origin of SASE: From Desperation to Community
- [11:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=703) Shop Floor Benefits: Scalability and Frequent Updates
- [13:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=827) Survival Tools: Digital Twins and Remote Debugging
- [16:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=978) SDA as the Enabler for Industrial AI at Scale
- [18:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=1116) Decoupling Hardware and Software: Engineering in Parallel
- [20:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=1231) Workforce Trends and AI Tooling Excitement
- [23:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-07-21-bonus-software-defined-automation-the-future-of-industrial-control-sponsored-by#t=1417) Timing, Mainstream Adoption, and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Loupe (company)
- Siemens (company)
- SASE (other)
- Automate 2026 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How software-defined manufacturing fits into real factory operation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-21-how-software-defined-manufacturing-fits-into-real-factory-operation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [BONUS - What's the SCOOP - 2022 Trends with Cogiscan's Michael Ho](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-12-14-bonus-whats-the-scoop-2022-trends-with-cogiscans-michael-ho) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Don't Automate Chaos: Running Lights Out with Sarah Wierman of Fastems, Ep #45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-17-dont-automate-chaos-running-lights-out-with-sarah-wierman-of-fastems-ep-45) (Lights Out)
- [Exploring Facility Scale, Automation, and Supplier Partnerships with IMI's Oscar Valdivia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-17-exploring-facility-scale-automation-and-supplier-partnerships-with-imis-oscar-va) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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