# Episode Forty-Four: Kat Thiel

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2023-04-14
- Length: 17m
- Episode: 44
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-forty-four-kat-thiel

## Summary

Kat Thiel, a Senior Research Associate at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester Fashion Institute, discusses agile collaborative robotic tooling for localized fashion manufacturing. She explains the shift from high-volume Asian automation to flexible micro-factories in the UK, focusing on end-of-arm tools for cutting and stitching that support small businesses. Thiel highlights the challenges of handling 'floppy' fabric and the environmental benefits of on-demand production, such as reduced waste and lower shipping emissions, through her work on reports like 'Reshoring UK Garment Manufacturing with Automation'.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=7) Introduction: Kat Thiel and Manchester Metropolitan University
- [1:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=118) Current State of Fashion Automation and Fabric Handling Challenges
- [5:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=306) Collaborative Robotic Tooling and Micro-Factory Concepts
- [8:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=492) Micro-Factory Definition and Access to Machinery
- [12:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=744) Sustainability, On-Demand Production, and Skills Gaps
- [15:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-14-episode-forty-four-kat-thiel#t=909) Design for Disassembly and Repairability

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Manchester Metropolitan University (company)
- Manchester Fashion Institute (company)
- Royal College of Art (company)
- Software Automation (company)
- Innovate UK KTN (company)
- Future Fashion Factory report (other)
- Reshoring UK Garment Manufacturing with Automation (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [169. Novel Fabrics + Robots = Sustainable One-size-fits-all Fashion Revolution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-04-09-169-novel-fabrics-robots-sustainable-one-size-fits-all-fashion-revolution) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [How Robotics is Changing the Apparel Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-06-10-how-robotics-is-changing-the-apparel-industry) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [254: From Steel City to Robotics Powerhouse: Pittsburgh’s Industrial Legacy featuring Jay Douglass, COO of ARM Institute](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-09-23-254-from-steel-city-to-robotics-powerhouse-pittsburghs-industrial-legacy-featuri) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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