Smarter Robots, Better Automation

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The fifth episode of season 5 is "How Different Roles Shaped My Career​". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, and special guest Blair de Verteuil. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/ Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps  00:04 – Introduction 00:48 – Executive leader with a lot of luck: What role has luck played in your career? 02:02 – What drew you to ATS in the first place? 03:29 – Why does ATS's mission matter, and why is purpose important in a career? 04:35 – What helped you stand out and create opportunities early in your career? 05:14 – “Did you earn your paycheck today?” Lessons from Blair’s father 06:49 – Moving into applications engineering and learning from ATS founder Klaus Woerner 07:22 – Why are you so passionate about project management? 08:58 – What happens when a project goes off track? 10:27 – Transitioning from project leadership to people leadership 11:50 – The power of mutual trust 12:28 – How do you build a team you can trust? 12:41 – The Monkey and the Manager: A leadership lesson that changed Blair’s career 14:12 – Becoming a General Manager and “hanging up the cape” 15:43 – Leading through COVID and delivering the impossible 17:29 – Becoming President of Life Sciences Systems 17:40 – “The Patient Is Waiting”: A defining leadership lesson 19:36 – What do changing markets teach you about building a durable business? 19:49 – The Bear and the Dance: A business leadership metaphor 21:02 – How have family, loss, and life outside of work shaped your leadership? 21:39 – Reflections on Blair’s father and lasting life lessons 22:40 – How do you stay focused on what matters most? 23:21 – Revisiting the quote: Was it really luck? 23:54 – Be a sponge: Learning from every experience 24:36 – What advice would you give your younger self? 24:58 – Be less nostalgic and stay present 26:12 – Closing #enablingautomation #automation #podcast

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The fourth episode of season 5 is "From Classroom to Career: featuring Women in Skilled Trades​". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, and special guests Harley Shea and Soveigh Brasseur. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/ Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 00:40 – What first attracted you to skilled trades, and how did you end up pursuing the path you’re in today? 01:59 – When did this type of work first spark your interest, and how did you translate that into a career path? 03:09 – As an apprentice, what’s been the biggest adjustment from learning in a classroom to learning in a workplace? 04:11 – What would you tell your younger self about the realities of the workplace? 05:29 – What would you tell your younger self about starting out in the workplace? 06:30 – How do you gain experience when employers are looking for experience? 07:42 – What helped you stand out in your role? 09:23 – What was your experience like finding your first role? 11:32 – How important are grades and technical training compared to networking and relationships? 14:13 – What role have mentors played in your career so far? 15:45 – How have mentors supported your career so far? 17:14 – Recognition, encouragement, and being nominated for an award 18:36 – What was the award nomination for? 19:22 – What has your journey through different industries and apprenticeships looked like? 22:20 – How have you built confidence as you grow in your role? 27:07 – What advice would you give someone considering a career in the trades? 28:36 – How can students explore whether skilled trades are right for them? 30:36 – Final thoughts 30:57 – Closing #enablingautomation #automation #podcast

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The third episode of season 5 is "Smarter Robots, Better Automation​". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, and special guest Nathan Snider, Applications Engineer with ATS Life Sciences Systems. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcasts Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 00:30 – Meet Nathan Snider: A look at his role as an ATS Applications Engineer and his experience with medical device assembly, life sciences, and automation projects. 01:07 – Why is assembly still one of the hardest things to automate? 01:52 – What can people do instinctively in assembly processes that robots still struggle to replicate? 02:31 – What types of assembly applications look simple but become surprisingly difficult to automate? 03:13 – Where does the complexity in assembly automation usually come from: the robot, the process, the product, or the surrounding system? 03:50 – What can manufacturers automate today that would have been difficult or impossible ten years ago? 04:20 – Is the robot still the most innovative part of an automation system? 05:23 – Has the focus shifted from repeatability to adaptability in modern automation? 06:20 – Is it better to engineer variability out of a process or teach robots to adapt? 06:49 – What was the biggest innovation behind collaborative robotics? 07:38 – Did collaborative robots change automation more through usability and deployment than through human-robot collaboration? 08:40 – When do collaborative robots make sense, and when are traditional robotic systems a better fit? 09:14 – Where does the engineering effort really go when commissioning an automation system? 09:58 – Why are customer requirements, communication, and alignment so critical to project success? 10:33 – How much of an automation system’s cost is actually tied to robotics and tooling? 11:09 – What are some of the biggest integration challenges automation teams face today? 11:41 – Why aren’t automation systems easier to build despite advances in technology? 12:35 – How can automation companies improve the way automation is deployed? 13:05 – How do standard platforms, reusable assets, and proven technologies help teams deliver automation faster? 13:54 – What parts of an automation system are the best candidates for standardization? 14:52 – Can you standardize the way automation teams solve applications and engineering challenges? 15:14 – Why isn’t platform adoption more common across...

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The second episode of season 5 is another Careers in Focus highlight "From Controls Engineer to Product Leader ​". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, and special guest Javan Taylor, Staff Specialist - Technical Sales Support for SuperTrak CONVEYANCE. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcasts Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 - Introduction 00:53 - Joining ATS in 1995 01:55 - What ATS was like in the early days 02:58 - Starting as a Controls Engineer 04:50 - Discovering the power of standardization 08:03 - The early days of SuperTrak 09:18 - Solving the challenges of a new technology 11:56 - When SuperTrak almost seemed impossible 13:03 - The moment SuperTrak proved it could work 14:11 - From software development to product management 16:18 - The difference between engineering and product thinking 17:26 - What separates a successful project from a successful product 18:30 - Commercialization and learning to listen to customers 18:52 - Moving into technical sales 20:00 - Why listening matters more than technical expertise 21:13 - How automation has changed over 30 years 21:33 - How experience becomes perspective 22:42 - Mistakes the industry continues to repeat 23:15 - When to push an idea—and when to let it go 23:55 - How risk changes throughout your career 24:40 - What younger engineers tend to underestimate 25:02 - What experienced engineers can learn from younger engineers 25:31 - One company, many careers 26:28 - Advice for the next generation of engineers 26:49 - Closing reflections #enablingautomation #automation #podcast

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The first episode of season 5 is "ATS Spotlight: SuperTrak 30th Anniversary ​". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses the SuperTrak anniversary, a story to inspire the next generation of innovators. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/ Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 00:32 – The importance of conveyance 01:31 – Lesson #1 01:48 – The start of SuperTrak 02:52 – SuperTrak team members highlight 05:13 – Cycle timing and shuttle performance 06:16 – The first version of TrakMaster 06:48 – First systems launched 07:29 – Static brush 08:11 – Lesson #2 08:17 – Lesson #3 08:25 – Gen 2 09:03 – Gen 3 13:38 – Lesson #4 14:19 – Thank you & Closing #enablingautomation #automation #podcast

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The tenth episode of season 4 is "Working with Partners​". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses the SuperTrak CONVEYANCE™ and Siemens partnership with special guest, Christian Gehrhardt, Head of Business Development - Robotics and Flexible Conveyance Solutions (FCS) for Production Machines at Siemens. Read the press release about the partnership here: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-and-supertrak-conveyancetm-partner-expand-smart-conveyance-offering Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/ Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 01:30 – Why are partnerships becoming more important in manufacturing today compared to the past? 03:04 – Do you think these kinds of partnerships help machine builders reduce risk when adopting new technologies? 03:50 – Do you think these partnerships will allow companies to stay focused on what they do best while still delivering complete machine solutions? 05:29 – From Siemens’ perspective, what made SuperTrak a strong fit for deeper integration into Simens automation environment? 06:13 – When we look at machine builders and when we talk about integration and real integration, what does that mean in practical terms from their perspective? Is it engineering, commissioning, long-term support? What is it and how does this partnership help? 09:05 – From the machine builder’s point of view, what kinds of everyday challenges does this kind of integration help remove? 09:57 – How does a company know when partnering makes more sense than trying to build something internally? 11:01 – What kind of misalignment causes partnerships to struggle or fail? 12:49 – How important is it that both partners are hearing the same feedback from machine builders and end users? 13:46 – What must happen behind the scenes for partnerships to work, day to day? 16:25 – How does this help with joint problem solving and helping the customers? 16:43 – How do partnerships help companies reach machine builders and markets they might not reach on their own? 18:13 – Is there an influence on how machine builders are picking the kinds of technologies that they’re going to use it in kind of long-term thinking? 19:32 – Does this help innovation happen more easily? 21:56 – How will partnerships evolve? 23:22 – What advice would you give a mac...

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The nineth episode of season 4 is "Leading Through Transformation – An Executive Perspective on AI, Automation, and Purposeful Change". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, as she discusses with special guests, Steve Emery and Miroslav Kafedzhiev. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/leading-through-transformation/  Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/contact-us/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 01:14 – Do you agree or disagree that achieving an AI transformation that is successful is more about strategic leadership than just implementing new technologies? 02:30 – What does the focus need to be to keep everyone in tune with the right goals and outcomes? 03:14 – Is it more about leadership than just the technology? 04:16 – What do you think leaders need to do to make change feel more purposeful rather than disruptive? 05:06 – What did you have to learn or unlearn as a leader when AI entered the picture? 06:40 – Were there any hard truths you had to acknowledge? 07:23 – Has your leadership style evolving to enable AI transformations? 09:08 – Any wrong turns along the way that taught you more about leading through uncertainty? 10:13 – How do you manage the tension between moving through an AI transformation quickly while still considering good governance and responsibility? 13:33 – When trust in AI is fragile, what does leadership need to do differ...

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The eighth episode of season 4 is "Careers in Focus". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses Manufacturing AUTOMATION’s Lifetime Achievement Award with special guest, Steve Wardell. Read the article here: https://www.automationmag.com/a-vision-for-automation/ Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/careers-in-focus/  Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 00:52 – What went through your mind when you first learned you were receiving a lifetime achievement award? 01:22 – Do you feel “a vision for automation” captures your journey? 03:15 – What were the critical turning points that changed the direction of your career? 05:20 – Where is automation heading? 07:45 – Where are there gaps between was is possible and what is implemented? 10:23 – What did the article get right about your philosophy? Is there anything to add or clarify? 12:44 – How has the role of data changes in manufacturing? 14:51 – Where do you see the value in AI? Where is it overhyped? 17:45 – What’s the smartest first step for companies looking to start their modernization journey? 19:47 – What have you learned about change mindset? 21:25 – How can companies bridge the tension between OT and IT? 24:37 – What advice do you have for young engineers and leaders entering the field today? 26:02 – What developments in automation over the next 5 to 10 years excite you the most? 29:08 – Is there a technology or idea that’s underrated right now? 31:20 – Final thoughts 32:04 – Closing #enablingautomation #automation #podcast

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The seventh episode of season 4 is "Upskilling for an Automated Future – Preparing People, Not Replacing Them". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, as she discusses with special guests, Simon Roberts and Kamila Schmitt. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/upskilling-for-an-automated-future/  Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/contact-us/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 01:21 – Where is AI reshaping career paths? 04:15 – Are there specific tasks that are being transformed? 05:26 – Is there already a shift from more technical jobs to analytical ones? 07:37 – What are the skills that are going to matter most in an automated future? 08:56 – How do we help develop those skills inside of an organization? 13:49 – Learning from others and building reskilling programs 17:17 – How will junior employees learn? 22:04 – How to address fears about job displacement or skill obsolescence

Welcome to Enabling Automation! The sixth episode of season 4 is "The Business of Automation: Building Trust, Value, and Growth". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses with special guest, Eugen Goidenko. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CWIpi4Ph4CNWtqn8TILMZ?si=e2ca02387b554f20 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enabling-automation/id1703651289 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-enabling-automation-327022512/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/63e2da85-de40-447e-aaaf-6fca18358cec/enabling-automation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atscorporation/podcasts  For more information, visit: https://atsautomation.com/podcast/the... Contact us: https://atsautomation.com/ In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies. Timestamps 00:04 – Introduction 01:34 – What is the mood of the market currently? 04:51 – What is driving automation investment? 07:05 – What separates companies that continue to invest from those that pull back? 09:12 – How does the automation world’s structure impact how business gets done? 11:23 – Are we seeing more collaboration across the value chain? 13:52 – How are customer expectations changing? 15:21 – What works in the automation sales industry?