Podcasts about industrial automation

Explore the world of industrial automation with Brian Crawford on "Keepin' The Lights On." Discover insights into manpower challenges and innovative solutions. Tune in to learn how industries are evolving.Here's where I ask a huge favor from you, I'm creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.To reach Brian Crawford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-crawford-92b92018/Learn more about Shingle And Gibb: https://www.shingle.com/Franklinville Inn: https://www.thefranklinvilleinn.com/Photos of Franklinville Inn from Franklinville.com To see the show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VqtKX4OMfYU

In this episode the hosts break down a Southern California industrial automation equipment business whose niche customer base, unclear recurring revenue, and likely customer concentration risks turn what looks like a profitable manufacturing deal into a potential acquisition nightmare.Business Listing – https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/industrial-and-automation-equipment-manufacturer/2443997/Welcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9VrSubscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.acquanon.com/newsletter

Inductive Automation cofounders Colby Clegg and Carl Gould go deep on the origins of Ignition, the road to 8.3, and what AI means for industrial automation.Vlad and Dave host Colby Clegg, CEO, and Carl Gould, CTO, of Inductive Automation together for the first time to trace the full arc of the company. The story begins in 2003, when Sacramento systems integrator Steve Heckman brought Colby and Carl in to build the missing glue layer between OT data and modern IT tooling. What began as logging values into SQL databases became Factory PMI and eventually Ignition.A key thread is why Ignition broke through when larger automation vendors had superior distribution. Colby points to Clayton Christensen's Innovator's Dilemma. Incumbents could not match Inductive's unlimited per gateway pricing or partner with integrators because their own services groups competed with them. Carl adds the culture piece. Inductive refused to gate downloads, kept the module SDK open, made education free, and ran a public forum when competitors called it reckless, a posture they once called innovation without permission.Ignition 8.3 takes center stage, arriving after a deliberate five year gap from 8.1. Carl frames it as the completion of work that began with 8.0 in 2018. Gateway configuration is now stored in open, readable formats on disk, the gateway web interface was rewritten, and the platform supports orchestration, environmental separation, and infrastructure as code workflows Carl expects to become table stakes. The release also adds event streams, a revamped historian, and perspective drawing tools. For integrators still on 8.1, 8.3 is the version built for distributed deployments across many gateways.On AI, Carl is candid that the new MCP server module is intentionally a minimum viable product. It ships as a raw toolkit for integrators to author MCP primitives that expose Ignition data to agentic systems like Claude Code. First party MCP tools are coming, but Inductive wants to define the guardrails before shipping an API surface they will support for years. Carl frames AI as a new axis of software possibility, comparable to the shift from DOS to Windows. Colby ties it back to legacy SCADA conversion, framing the security and reliability gains as a national security issue. The episode closes with notes on the Inductive ecosystem, including a new collaboration with Tiger Data behind TimescaleDB, plus career advice on soft skills, context, and agentic coding tools.About Colby Clegg and Carl GouldColby Clegg is the CEO and cofounder of Inductive Automation, the California based company behind Ignition, the cross platform SCADA, MES, and IIoT software used by manufacturers and integrators worldwide. Carl Gould is the CTO and cofounder, leading product and engineering direction across Ignition. Both joined founder Steve Heckman in 2003 and have shaped the platform's open, integrator first philosophy ever since.Inductive Automation: https://www.inductiveautomation.comTimestamps0:00 Introduction1:00 Meet Colby Clegg and Carl Gould2:00 The origins of Inductive Automation in 20038:00 Going to market and the Innovator's Dilemma10:30 Innovation without permission as company culture18:50 Ignition 8.0 and the leap to Perspective26:00 The five year journey to 8.338:00 The MCP server module and AI in Ignition45:30 AI in the control plane and guardrails52:30 Tiger Data and the technology ecosystem1:02:30 Career advice for the next generation1:06:40 What is ripe for innovationReferencesIgnition Community Conference: https://icc.inductiveautomation.comAbout Your HostsVladimir Romanov is a cohost of The Manufacturing Hub Podcast and the founder of Joltek, an independent manufacturing and industrial automation consulting firm specializing in modernization strategy, digital transformation, and workforce development. Joltek works with manufacturers and investors to reduce the risk of modernization and build the internal capability to sustain results.Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Want to go deeper? Vlad and the team at Joltek have covered related topics here:Colby Clegg on Ignition 8.3 and Industrial Automation: https://www.joltek.com/blog/industrial-automation-colby-clegg-ignition-8-3Connecting Allen Bradley PLCs to Ignition: https://www.joltek.com/blog/connecting-allen-bradley-plc-ignitionDave Griffith is a cohost of The Manufacturing Hub Podcast and founder of Capelin Solutions, an industrial automation firm helping manufacturers adopt smart manufacturing technology. He brings 15 years of experience in industrial automation and digital transformation.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith23/Subscribe to Manufacturing Hub: https://www.manufacturinghub.liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-hub-networkYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ManufacturingHub

In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Robert Boyce, ABB U.S. Division Manager for IEC Low Voltage Motors, to discuss how motors are designed to perform in aggressive applications like crushers in the aggregate industry.From heavy shock loads to extreme environmental conditions, crushers push motors to their limits. Robert shares how ABB designs motors to handle high starting torque, mechanical stress, vibration and contamination, all while maintaining reliability and efficiency.Tune in to hear insights on:Aggregate Applications: How conveyors, shaker screens and crushers impact motor performanceStarting Torque Demands: Why constant torque applications require higher locked rotor torque and overload capabilityOverbuilt Design: How larger shafts, reinforced materials and oversized bearings handle shock loadsVibration and Mechanical Stress: Why conduit box placement and internal components matter in aggressive environmentsEnvironmental Protection: How IP66 designs help protect against dust and moistureElectrical Reliability: Why terminal blocks provide stronger connections than flying leads in high vibration settingsEfficiency Standards: How these motors meet and exceed IE3 and IE4 efficiency requirementsBuilt for Survivability: Why durability and uptime are critical in crusher applicationsReferencesIf you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automation Solutions Training page.  Interested in learning more about ABB Drives? Join our Tech Tuesday webinars where our experts tackle topics from improving efficiency and reliability to solving maintenance issues.Podcast 1: Misconceptions Between NEMA and IEC Efficiencies – clearing up common misunderstandings around efficiency standards and how NEMA and IEC compare in real-world applications: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/11049334Podcast 2: IEC and what it means in the US – a closer look at IEC standards and what they mean for U.S. operations, compliance, and motor selection: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/10839306

"We realized early on with our digital transformation that really what we're trying to do is digitize processes and …we really want to transform. But the people that own these business processes are stakeholders, they're in sales, they're in operations, they're in HR, finance, supply chain, so we needed them before we could get started on digitally architecting a solution. So… we take a senior leader from a function and ops or a business unit and ask them to be the business process leader…. and we match you to an IT leader who's also quite senior. So these are VP SVP roles and they're the power couple. So we ask the domain leader on the stakeholder or business side, you define the what and the why, so what is it that you need and why? That's the value part of it….They're a partnership."" Elizabeth Hackenson on Electric Ladies Podcast How do you manage business systems in the middle of an industrial-technology revolution when those very systems are transforming too? They also use massive amounts of energy, water and are made from things like critical minerals, steel, aluminum wires, computer chips, et cetera that are all complicated by climate and energy crises. Listen to Elizabeth Hackenson, Chief Information Officer of Schneider Electric explain how this massive global technology leader transforms itself while helping clients do the same in this fascinating discussion with Electric Ladies host Joan Michelson.  You'll hear about: How what a Chief Information Officer's portfolio really is and how they manage it 24/7 across the globe How they are leveraging and managing AI, as well as data centers. How their "power couples" have become a valuable structure for ground up systems transformation with the end user in mind. How they reduce their carbon footprint while helping clients do the same and maintain excellence. Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "First you have to find a company that is interesting to you and what you want to do. And then to me, it's always about focus on delivering what you've been asked to and what you can do. And then opportunity, in my view, opens up. Now sometimes it's at the company you're at and other times it's not. And that's okay…When you're at that 15-year mark, you should have by then figured out what you like, what your interests are and where you want to go next. And you've got to take control of your destiny. And again, I think getting to a company that you believe in, you have the same values, can give you that pathway to whatever it is you're looking for is where to start and then deliver." Elizabeth Hackenson on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes article about this new report here and more of her articles here too. You'll also like: Microgrids Keep the Lights On - Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids, Schneider Electric Making Infrastructure Resilient - Genevieve Avice-Huet, EVP of Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric (formerly Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer) Critical Minerals 101 - with Abby Wulf, Critical Minerals expert and former head of Critical Minerals in the U.S. Dept. of Energy Business Leaders Bridging the Climate Gap - Top executives from The Earth Day Women's Summit The State of Energy Today Might Surprise You - Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy on their 2026 Energy Factbook Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

An airhacks.fm conversation with Christofer Dutz (@christofer-dutz) about: discussion about Apache PLC4X as the JDBC of industrial automation, the API and SPI architecture with Java service loader for driver discovery, Modbus protocol for HVAC systems and heating devices, PLC4X core API operations including discovery and browsing and reading and writing and subscribing and publishing, multi-language support with PLC4J for Java and PLC4Go for Go and PLC4Py for python and C#, code generation from protocol definitions using language-specific templates, XML-based cross-language unit tests, OPC UA as the Esperanto of industrial protocols versus PLC4X speaking native device protocols, OPC UA overhead causing PLC strain and network congestion, comparison of OPC UA to CORBA and grpc, CORBA IIOP protocol on devices, bidirectional communication for reading sensor data and writing control flags, subscription-based event-driven data collection to reduce PLC polling load, founding ToddySoft to provide commercially supported open source industrial products, the gap between open source libraries and industrial consumption, ToddySoft Connect as bubble-wrapped PLC4X drivers for platforms like Inductive Automation Ignition, eliminating edge gateway boxes on shop floors, native protocol communication reducing network load on 100 Mbit industrial networks, unified namespace concept as JMS for industrial automation, Apache IoTDB as time series database with push queries and callback features, Apache TsFile storage format for writing time series data directly on PLCs, shifting from polling to pushing in industrial data collection, ToddySoft File as C libraries compiled for PLCs, ToddySoft DB as embedded stripped-down IoTDB for edge devices, ToddySoft Edge as the combined platform resembling an application server for industrial automation, Industry 4.0 definition and evolution from manual labor through steam power through PLC automation to connected production, compressed air as a service business model, early failure detection in multi-step production lines, OSGi runtime driver loading, Eclipse Tycho build system difficulties, Kafka Connect PLC connectors, SPS fair in Nuremberg as one of the largest industrial automation fairs, signal theory and Nyquist sampling rate in PLC polling Christofer Dutz on twitter: @christofer-dutz

In the latest episode of our Marketing Professionals series, Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Microsystems, joins Mike to explore what it really takes to build and market a category-defining innovation. From starting her career as an engineer to leading marketing at a fast-scaling deep tech company, Jackie shares why technical credibility, clarity, and customer-focused storytelling are essential, especially when your audience is made up of engineers and your product challenges decades of established thinking. You'll hear how Menlo Micro is redefining switch technology with its “Ideal Switch” platform, and why success in this space isn't about hype but education, proof, and trust. The conversation also dives into the differences between large corporations and startup environments, highlighting the importance of focus and fast decision-making in driving rapid growth. Jackie shares insights on marketing to engineers, balancing brand building with commercial results, and how the role of sales is evolving in modern B2B.   About Menlo Microsystems Menlo Micro sets a new standard for switches with the Ideal Switch, a chip-scale platform that overcomes performance, efficiency, and scalability bottlenecks of electromechanical relays (EMRs) and semiconductor-based switches.  It's the first disruptive switching technology in over 30 years and the only platform scalable across both power and frequency domains. The Ideal Switch enables smaller, lighter, faster, more reliable, and energy-efficient systems. From AI and quantum compute to aerospace, defense and power electronics, the Ideal Switch eliminates bottlenecks and reduces the total cost of ownership across today's most demanding applications. Menlo Micro unlocks new possibilities. For more information, visit www.menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.     About Jackie Rutter Jackie Rutter is a seasoned marketing and business leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth across global technology markets. As Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro, she leads the company's worldwide marketing and communications strategy, delivering measurable impact including doubling revenue in the past year and expanding Menlo Micro's presence in critical applications including GPU/CPU & HPC T&M, Quantum Compute, AI Data Centers and Industrial Automation. Previously at Analog Devices, Jackie was instrumental in scaling the business from $3.5 billion to over $12 billion in revenue, leading high-profile acquisitions, global marketing programs, and demand-generation initiatives that strengthened ADI's position in energy, mobility, and industrial markets. Jackie has a proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing scalable marketing strategies, and driving market share growth. She is an active advocate for women in engineering and technology, contributing to IEEE and the GSA Women Leadership Initiative, and regularly shares her leadership insights at industry events.   Time Stamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to Jackie Rutter and Her Career Journey 00:04:00 - Understanding Menlo Microsystems and Its Technology 00:06:50 - Marketing Challenges in Redefining a New Category 00:09:10 - Building Credibility in Marketing to Engineers 00:10:40 - Learning from Early Marketing Missteps 00:12:10 - Balancing Brand Building with Lead Generation 00:15:40 - Creating Effective Thought Leadership Content 00:18:30 - The Role of Sales in Modern B2B Marketing 00:24:30 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information   Quotes "Even the most powerful innovations, the most powerful technologies fail if people don't understand why it matters. What's the impact to the end application? What's the impact to the end user?" Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro. “You need clarity, you need focus, you need passion, you need very, very fast decision-making. So that environment is what's enabled us to double revenue in under a year, which is something that's pretty impressive." Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro. "What MEMS switches is a totally disruptive platform. So it eliminates trade-offs in engineering, mainly on size, on weight, on power consumption and the amount of power density that it drives." Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro. "Category creation means education first, right? You can't start selling something that people don't even know they've got a problem with. So it's about education." Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro. "Engineers want clarity, they want data, they want transparency, honesty.” Jackie Rutter, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Menlo Micro.   Follow Jackie: Jackie Rutter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-rutter/ Menlo Micro website: www.menlomicro.com Menlo Micro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/menlo-micro   Follow Mike: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing B2B Tech and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier's other podcast - The Marketing Automation Moment: https://podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/the-marketing-automation-moment-podcast/id1659211547

 The plan is to move into factory fastening by combining Makita's battery and motor technologies with Panasonic's fastening and IoT tech.Power tool maker Makita announced Tuesday that it plans to acquire the power tool business of fellow Japanese manufacturer Panasonic.Panasonic created a new division, known as Electric Works Company, to house its power tool business prior to the sale. Under the agreement, Panasonic will transfer all shares of the power tool business to Electric Works, then transfer those shares to Makita Corporation. Pending regulatory approval, Makita will acquire all product development, manufacturing and sales of Panasonic's power tool products business, including factory and construction fastening equipment and factory‑related IoT solutions. The segment includes some 31,000 employees. Transaction details were not disclosed. #Makita #Panasonic #Acquisition #PowerTools #Manufacturing #IndustrialAutomation #IoT #SmartFactory #Industry40 #BusinessNews #TechNews #Automation #Construction #Engineering #FactoryTech #Tools #Innovation #SupplyChain #GlobalBusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #IndustrialTech #ManufacturingNews #DigitalTransformation #Robotics #FutureOfWork

Carl Gould, CTO and co-founder of Inductive Automation, joins hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes for an in-person conversation recorded in Australia ahead of the Ignition Everywhere event in Brisbane.Carl traces Ignition's journey from FactorySQL in 2003 to the 8.3 release, which introduces file-based configuration, Git and GitOps compatibility, Perspective offline mode, and a new architecture for managing distributed OT systems at scale. He breaks down the three design principles that have guided the platform from day one (cost, convenience, and capability), shares his evolving take on AI in industrial automation, and explains why he calls the IT/OT divide "a fictional line."In this episode, we discuss:The 8.3 release: file-based config, GitOps, deployment modes, and Perspective offlineScaling from thousands of tags to millions with distributed, decoupled architecturesWhy AI in industrial automation is a means to an end, not a product in itselfThe community and culture behind Ignition's worldwide growth---------------------------This episode is proudly made possible by PLCnext TechnologyPLCnext Technology is the ecosystem for industrial automation consisting of open hardware, modular engineering software, a global community, and a digital software marketplace.Learn more at:⁠⁠⁠https://www.plcnext-community.net/news/synergy-edge-cloud/---------------------------FlowFuse at Hannover Messe 2026Discover how FlowFuse empowers you to build, deploy, and scale industrial automation -- your way. Visit FlowFuse at Hall 014, Stand K26 during Hannover Messe (April 20-24, 2026) and experience live demonstrations of FlowFuse connecting the entire industrial stack -- from PLCs on the shop floor to MES, ERP, and cloud services -- enabling real-time industrial connectivity, data integration, and AI-powered operations.Let's transform industrial data together -- live, integrated, and in real time.Claim your free pass and learn more: https://flowfuse.com/events/hannover-messe-2026/---------------------------Carl Gould is the CTO and co-founder of Inductive Automation. He has been building and guiding the Ignition platform since 2003. Under his leadership, Ignition has grown from a SQL connectivity tool into a comprehensive platform used across industries worldwide for SCADA, HMI, MES, and IIoT applications.Connect with Carl Gould on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-gouldLearn more about Inductive Automation: https://inductiveautomation.comConnect with Phil on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/philseboa/⁠Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/edfuentes/

Industrial real estate is being reshaped by a new set of operational and technological demands. As supply chains evolve and occupiers adopt automation, factors such as proximity, power availability and labor dynamics are becoming central to both facility design and investment strategy.In the second episode of Inside Industrial, CBRE's John Morris discusses how these dynamics are influencing the sector and what they mean for the future of industrial assets.Morris serves as president of Americas Industrial & Logistics at CBRE, overseeing one of the industry's largest platforms, with more than 800 professionals advising occupiers and investors across supply chain strategy, labor analytics, transaction services and project management.“It's about proximity to the end user in really every regard,” Morris said, pointing to the growing importance of inventory location as delivery expectations continue to accelerate.He also highlights how labor constraints are driving automation, how power availability is emerging as a key factor in site selection, and why newer, automation-ready buildings are gaining a competitive edge over older stock.Take a listen as Commercial Property Executive's Diana Firtea explores these themes with Morris in the latest episode of Inside Industrial.

Sofidel is one of the largest manufacturers of paper products in the world, but it's primarily known in Europe, specifically in Italy, where the company is based. However, the toilet tissue and paper towel producer is making major moves in the U.S., where market leaders like Kimberly-Clark, Procter & Gamble, and Georgia-Pacific dominate.Last October, Sofidel announced plans for a major U.S. expansion to meet growing demand, particularly in the south. The company knew it was going to expand capacity at one of its 14 production sites in the U.S.— it just didn't know which one.#Sofidel #Manufacturing #PaperIndustry #TissueProduction #ToiletPaper #PaperTowels #IndustrialAutomation #SmartFactory #Industry40 #Automation #SupplyChain #CPG #ConsumerGoods #MadeInUSA #USManufacturing #FactoryExpansion #EconomicDevelopment #Logistics #Warehousing #Innovation #TechInManufacturing #Valmet #E80Group #PrivateLabel #BusinessGrowth

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with David Lachmish, co-founder of Ika, to explore the cutting-edge world of decentralized cryptography and its real-world applications. They cover the foundational problem of zero-trust custody and interoperability in crypto, breaking down why most people end up relying on centralized custodians despite crypto's original promise of removing third-party trust, and how Ika's novel 2PC-MPC cryptographic protocol addresses this with decentralized wallets (d-wallets) that require both the user and the Ika network to generate a signature. The conversation also touches on AI agents and the critical need for access control guardrails when agents handle real financial transactions, the philosophical parallels between crypto's growing pains and the early internet, decentralized governance and its potential to reshape how societies make decisions, and a surprising look at how decentralized certificate authorities could dramatically improve everyday internet security. David also gives a first public mention of an upcoming privacy-focused project called Encrypt.Links mentioned:- Ika website: https://ika.xyz- Ika on X: https://x.com/iкаdotxyz- David Lachmish on X: https://x.com/d3h3d_- Encrypt (upcoming project): https://encrypt.xyzTimestamps00:00 - David Lachmish introduces Ika and DWallet Labs, explaining their cybersecurity and cryptography background led them to solve zero trust custody and interoperability.05:00 - The d wallet concept is revealed as a decentralized signing mechanism controlled jointly by user and network, requiring new cryptography breakthroughs.10:00 - Crypto's philosophical parallels to early Internet are drawn, framing scams and misuse as inevitable growing pains of transformative infrastructure.15:00 - Wallet abstraction and agent constraints are explored, comparing future seamless crypto interaction to modern WiFi versus early modem connections.20:00 - Public key cryptography's binary ownership problem is explained, leading into MPC secret shares and Fireblocks' centralized access control tradeoffs.25:00 - 2PC MPC protocol is introduced as Ika's breakthrough, enabling decentralized policy enforcement without trusting any single entity.30:00 - Decentralized governance via token staking and code as law is discussed, contrasting corporate representative governance with crypto's direct decision-making.35:00 - Futarchy prediction markets and decision trees are connected to knowledge graphs, tracing humanity's accelerating governance transition.40:00 - Automation's historical parallels are examined, arguing AI's displacement of lawyers and developers mirrors every prior technological revolution.45:00 - Bitcoin and Ethereum's uncertain futures are assessed alongside Ika's positioning in custody and interoperability infrastructure.50:00 - Zero trust interoperability is explained, revealing how bridges create dangerous honeypots that Ika eliminates through native cryptographic control.55:00 - MetaMask's limitations for agents are detailed, contrasting stored private keys against Ika's policy-enforced guardrails for agentic transactions.60:00 - HumanTech's Wallet as a Protocol is presented as a practical way to give agents spending policies while maintaining user cryptographic control.65:00 - Decentralized certificate authorities emerge as Ika's broader cybersecurity vision, eliminating single points of failure across the entire Internet.Key Insights1. Zero Trust Custody and Interoperability: David and his cofounders at DWallet Labs identified that most cryptocurrency is held by centralized custodians, which contradicts crypto's core purpose of removing third-party trust. They set out to create "zero trust custody and zero trust interoperability" — systems where users maintain cryptographic control without sacrificing usability or relying on any single entity.2. The D-Wallet Primitive: Ika is built around a new cryptographic concept called a "d-wallet" — a decentralized wallet controlled jointly by the user and a decentralized network. A signature cannot be generated without the user's participation, meaning even if all network operators are compromised, they cannot act unilaterally. This required inventing new cryptography called 2PC-MPC.3. Access Control as the Missing Layer: Traditional crypto wallets operate on binary ownership — you either have full control or none. The d-wallet model introduces programmable access control policies enforced by a decentralized network, enabling features like spending limits and whitelisted addresses without trusting a centralized company like Fireblocks.4. Bridges Are Crypto's Biggest Security Vulnerability: Interoperability across blockchains typically requires trusting a bridge, which creates a honeypot for hackers. Ika eliminates this by allowing users to natively control assets on multiple chains simultaneously, maintaining cryptographic guarantees without a trusted intermediary.5. AI Agents Need Cryptographic Guardrails: Giving AI agents control over crypto wallets like MetaMask is dangerous due to hallucination and prompt injection risks. Ika enables agents to operate within strict, code-enforced policies — they can transact autonomously but cannot exceed boundaries set by the user, combining automation with genuine security.6. Decentralized Governance as a Structural Advantage: Ika operates as a permissionless network where two-thirds of token-staking operators control the protocol's direction. Even the founding team cannot unilaterally change the network, making governance transparent and resistant to capture — a meaningful contrast to closed, corporate-controlled systems.7. Decentralized Certificate Authorities as a Future Application: Beyond crypto, David envisions d-wallets solving broader cybersecurity problems. Today's internet relies on a handful of certificate authorities whose compromise would break global web security. A decentralized certificate authority built on Ika's infrastructure would require attacking hundreds of operators simultaneously, representing a fundamental upgrade to how trust is managed across the internet.

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Carl Gould, co-founder and CTO of Inductive Automation.Growing up in California's Bay Area during the rise of the modern internet, Carl developed an early fascination with computers that eventually led him to study computer science at UC Davis. What began as a summer project connecting industrial machine data to SQL databases soon evolved into a full software platform used by engineers around the world to build applications that monitor and control factories, water systems, and other industrial operations.Carl shares the story behind Inductive Automation's earliest days, including how mentorship from industry veteran Steve Heckman helped shape their understanding of the market and how their first independent customer—a project at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company—validated the idea that their solution solved a widespread industry gap. Along the way, Carl reflects on building a company from the ground up, the value of staying close to users, and why solving a real problem matters far more than chasing technology trends. More than two decades later, he remains energized by seeing what engineers create with Ignition and by staying connected to the people whose work the software powers every day.Explore how Carl Gould helped modernize industrial software by focusing on real problems engineers face in this episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Inductive Automationhttp://www.inductiveautomation.comCarl Gould's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-gould/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

(00:00) Introduction to Matt Bell and Mouser Electronics (03:14) Understanding Mouser's Operations and Scale (06:12) The Role of Automation in Order Fulfillment (09:15) Philosophy on Automation and Workforce Integration (12:12) Growth and Expansion of Mouser's Operations (15:15) Identifying Automation Opportunities (18:09) Balancing Existing Technologies with New Innovations (20:58) Strategic Investment in Automation (22:04) Emerging Technologies in Logistics (22:46) Navigating Technology Choices (23:18) Flexibility in Automation (24:54) In-House Development vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions (26:41) Collaboration Across Teams (28:37) The Importance of Team Dynamics (30:21) Lessons Learned Over Two Decades (31:55) Advice for New Professionals (33:48) Listening for Improvement (36:37) The Scale of Operations (38:23) Final Thoughts and Advice This episode was brought to you by Mouser, our go-to source for electronics parts for any hobby or prototype. Click HERE to check out the many resources shared by Mouser across a range of topics from AI to Healthcare.  Want to hear more from Matt? Give him a follow on LinkedIn Become a founding reader of our newsletter: http://read.thenextbyte.com/ As always, you can find these and other interesting & impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.

Join host Ed and Phil as they explore how PLCnext Technology is redefining what industrial controllers can do, and why openness in automation is both a massive opportunity and a serious responsibility. Martin Boers, Technical Specialist at PLCnext Technology with Phoenix Contact, joins to discuss the origins of the PLCnext ecosystem, what IT/OT convergence really looks like on the plant floor, and how partnerships with companies like Festo and Yaskawa are shaping the future of automation platforms.Key topics in this episode:- The four pillars of PLCnext Technology: Control, Engineer, Store, and Community- IT/OT convergence: LDAP, firewalls, certificates, and the EU Cyber Resilience Act- Docker containers and the PLCnext Store app ecosystem- PLCnext Technology partnerships and the all-electric society----------------------------------This episode is proudly made possible by PLCnext TechnologyPLCnext Technology is the ecosystem for industrial automation consisting of open hardware, modular engineering software, a global community, and a digital software marketplace.Learn more at:⁠https://www.plcnext-community.net/news/synergy-edge-cloud/----------------------------------Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mboers/Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philseboa/Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edfuentes/Learn more about PLCnext Technology: https://www.plcnext-community.net/

The following article of the Mining industry is: “Automation With Purpose: Resilience in Critical Environments” by Jose Simon, VPGM Industrial Automation & Process Automation LATAM, Honeywell (AA2512)

This week Shawn Tierney meets up with Karim Kozman of Schneider Electric to discuss What’s Next for Industrial Automation in this episode of #TheAutomationPodcast. For any links related to this episode, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: Listen to The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: The Automation Podcast, Episode 261 Show Notes: Special thanks goes out to Karim Kozman of Schneider Electric for coming on the show, and to Schneider Electric for sponsoring this episode. Until next time, Peace ✌️ If you enjoyed this content, please give it a Like, and consider Sharing a link to it as that is the best way for us to grow our audience, which in turn allows us to produce more content

Industrial automation meets modern software as FlowFuse CEO ZJ van de Weg joins Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes to unpack how open-source tools like Node-RED are connecting teams across IT and OT, breaking down barriers with visual, low-code programming. Hear firsthand insights about scaling automation systems, the challenges and rewards of open source in manufacturing, and clever approaches to secure data management and fleet updates.From home automation passion projects to strategic deployment in factories, this episode teases out the evolution of workflow integration, the importance of context, and practical ways organizations are pursuing smarter operations, plus a preview of what to expect at the ProveIt! Conference.-----About ZJ:ZJ is the CEO of FlowFuse. As an engineer-turned-CEO with a career built on open-source software, his mission is to empower engineers to build better, more efficient software solutions.Connect with ZJ: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zegerjan/⁠-----About FlowFuse:FlowFuse is the Industrial Application Platform that connects any machine, moves data across any protocol, models it in any data platform, and operates industrial applications at scale—accelerated by an LLM-powered copilot that uses Model Context Protocol (MCP) to connect AI directly to your live industrial data.Learn More:https://flowfuse.com/https://flowfuse.com/platform/why-flowfuseLearn about FlowFuse at ProveIT Conference:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wvbhw9MHzsFollow FlowFuse on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FlowFuseIncListen to our episode with FlowFuse's Nick O'Leary:https://youtu.be/mNCiiAHHFGU-----Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/Connect with Ed on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/-----About Industry Sage Media:Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

https://www.ien.com/video/video/22959340/volkswagen-chief-puts-plans-for-us-audi-factory-on-iceIn spring of 2025, after a flurry of tariffs were announced, foreign automakers were in crisis mode. Among them was Volkswagen, a German company with a substantial US footprint for some brands, such as VW, but a non-existent one for others, like Audi.Specifically, Audi vehicles have thus far been produced at plants in both Germany and Mexico. Due to the April tariffs proposed on foreign-made vehicles, VW suggested at the time that perhaps an Audi production base on US soil was in the cards. It was never certain whether this US-made Audi would mean a new factory or simply adding production capabilities at an existing plant: this could be VW's Tennessee manufacturing compound or a new factory currently being built in South Carolina to manufacture the Scout line. A June report even suggested that Audi was considering building a greenfield site in the south with a price tag north of $4 billion, though the company didn't confirm these details, choosing to say, instead, that it was continuing to evaluate its options.But right now, none of these options are looking good. VW CEO Oliver Blume recently told German media outlet Handelsblatt that plans for a potential US factory for Audi are not progressing.Blume said the prospect is too expensive based on the added cost burden Volkswagen has taken on with tariffs – a shift that has cost the automaker a reported $2.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2025. Talks between VW and local officials were also said to have been unsuccessful – meaning no additional financial incentives for a potential factory project or expansion had been established.Said Blume, “Given an unchanged tariff burden, large additional investment cannot be funded,” adding: “Reduction of costs in the short term and reliable business conditions in the long term are what we need.”Blume believes VW can still grow its U.S. business, but as evidence of its changing expectations, the company walked back a previously stated goal of capturing 10% market share in the United States, and will instead pursue more gradual progress.#Volkswagen, #Audi, #AutoIndustry, #AutomotiveNews, #ManufacturingNews, #Tariffs, #USTradePolicy, #ForeignAutomakers, #USManufacturing, #AutoManufacturing, #ElectricVehicles, #GlobalSupplyChain, #FactoryExpansion, #GreenfieldProject, #EconomicImpact, #AutomotiveMarket, #OEMs, #IndustryTrends

Gathr Outdoors announced plans to permanently close its Pride Manufacturing production and support facilities in Maine, according to a release sent to IEN by attorney Peter Bennett. A WARN Notice showed the shutdown at the factory, which makes Lincoln Logs, cigar tips and golf tees, will eliminate 115 jobs.The release stated that the closure results from a “significant shift in customer demand” that rendered the facility “economically unsustainable.” The Portland Press Herald reported that Pride paid roughly $200,000 in annual taxes, primarily driven by property and equipment, according to Burnham Select Board member Rick Basford.The New York Post cited the facility's owner, Centre Partners Management, which said the impending closure stems from a cigar maker moving its sourcing for cigar tips. The firm stated that the lost contract left the site “financially unviable.” 

This week Shawn Tierney meets up with Dante Vaccaro of Schneider Electric to discuss Digital Transformations and Trends in Industrial Automation in this episode of #TheAutomationPodcast. For any links related to this episode, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. Watch The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: Listen to The Automation Podcast from The Automation Blog: The Automation Podcast, Episode 258 Show Notes: Special thanks goes out to Dante Vaccaro of Schneider Electric for coming on the show, and to Schneider Electric for sponsoring this episode. Until next time, Peace ✌️ If you enjoyed this content, please give it a Like, and consider Sharing a link to it as that is the best way for us to grow our audience, which in turn allows us to produce more content

Make a Logo on Fiverr CES 2026's West Hall makes a bold statement about where the automotive world is headed. Yes, there are cars here—but the real story is how robots, autonomy, and industrial automation are quietly redefining the future of travel. Walking the floor, it feels less like a traditional auto show and more like a preview of a world where vehicles, machines, and infrastructure think and move together. Waymo: The Autonomous Backbone Waymo's presence anchors the West Hall with a clear message: fully autonomous mobility is no longer a concept—it's infrastructure. The latest generation driverless vehicles, including all-electric models already operating in cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix, show how far the tech has come since early hiccups. With advanced LiDAR and sensor stacks wrapped into production-ready designs, Waymo is positioning autonomy not as a novelty, but as a dependable, everyday transportation layer for cities, airports, and logistics. IDA Italia: Turning Any Car Into a Robot One of the most practical innovations comes from Italy, where IDA demonstrates a retrofit autonomous driving system mounted to a Fiat 500e. The idea is simple and powerful: instead of buying a new car, you can upgrade the one you already own. A roof-mounted LiDAR system and supporting hardware turn a conventional vehicle into a semi-autonomous platform, still allowing the driver to take over at any time. It's a glimpse of how autonomy could scale globally—by upgrading existing fleets instead of replacing them. Smart Optical Sensors: Robots That Move the World Industrial automation takes center stage with Smart Optical Sensors' robotic platform. Designed for environments like airports and warehouses, these robots can move luggage or packages directly to people instead of forcing people to hunt for their items. With cameras and intelligent sensors on board, this is the kind of behind-the-scenes robotics that could quietly change how logistics, retail, and travel hubs operate—less waiting, less walking, more efficiency. Sambo Motors: Flying Taxis Get a Robotic Checkup Sambo Motors' multi-propeller drone aircraft looks like it flew straight out of science fiction, but the real star is the robotic inspection system that scans the aircraft before flight. These robots check the exterior, structure, and systems to ensure everything is ready and safe. It's a perfect example of automation enabling the next generation of transportation—robots maintaining the machines that will move people through the air. Kubota: Farming Goes Fully Autonomous Autonomy in the West Hall isn't just about cities. Kubota's versatile robotic platform shows how agriculture is being transformed by connected, cloud-coordinated machines. This multi-purpose robot can handle tasks from tilling to harvesting, communicate with other machines in the field, and adapt to different work sites. It's industrial robotics meeting food production, and it highlights how the innovation at CES 2026 extends far beyond cars. V-Bot Superdog: A Robot With a Mission Among the crowd-pleasers is the V-Bot Superdog, an intelligent robotic companion designed for real-world environments. Beyond the novelty, it has serious applications: search, rescue, and assistance in outdoor scenarios. With long battery life, advanced perception, and the ability to seek help if someone is injured, this is robotics stepping into roles traditionally filled by trained animals and humans. Qualcomm Dragonwing: AI at the Edge Even something as simple as a bird feeder becomes a showcase for on-device AI in Qualcomm's Dragonwing. With built-in cameras, solar power, and real-time bird recognition, it demonstrates how the same technologies driving cars and robots are also filtering into consumer devices. It's a reminder that the West Hall's innovations are part of a much bigger ecosystem of connected, intelligent machines. Oshkosh: Reinventing Emergency Response Oshkosh brings one of the most imposing vehicles on the floor: a next-generation, sensor-laden fire and rescue truck. With automated doors, advanced cameras, and rugged all-terrain design, this is a vehicle built for speed, safety, and coordination in the most extreme conditions. It shows how autonomy and robotics aren't just about convenience—they're about saving lives. Leo Flight: The Jet Bike Dream If there's a symbol of the futuristic spirit of CES 2026, it might be the Leo Flight jet bike. A compact, electric, jet-propelled personal aircraft that doesn't require a pilot's license, it promises short hops across lakes or terrain at speeds up to 60 mph. With limited flight time, it's not practical for everyone—but it perfectly captures the experimental edge of the future of travel. Alpinestars Tech-Air: Safety Gets Smarter Not all innovation is about movement—some of it is about protection. Alpinestars' Tech-Air airbag system for riders deploys instantly during a crash, adding a smart, invisible layer of safety for motorcyclists and extreme sports enthusiasts. It's another example of sensors and AI quietly working in the background to reduce risk. Less Cars, More Robots The West Hall at CES 2026 feels like a turning point. Traditional automotive hardware is still here, but it's increasingly surrounded—and sometimes overshadowed—by robots, automation, and intelligent systems. The real story isn't just about what we'll drive, but about the machines that will drive, manage, inspect, protect, and even fly us. This is the West Hall's message: the future of travel isn't just about cars anymore—it's about an entire robotic ecosystem moving the world. Check it out at Check out the Geekazine Merch, including "I AM AI " T-Shirt.  Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to Geekazine: RSS Feed - YouTubeTwitter - Facebook Tip Me via Paypal.me Send a Tip via Venmo RSS Bandwidth by Cachefly Get a 14 Day Trial Be a Patreon: Part of the Sconnie Geek Nation! Reviews: Geekazine gets products in to review. Opinions are of Geekazine.com. Sponsored content will be labeled as such. Read all policies on the Geekazine review page.  Reviews: Geekazine is also an affiliate of Amazon Last Updated on January 22, 2026 11:00 am by Jeffrey PowersThe post CES 2026 West Hall – Auto and Industrial Automation. Less Cars, More Robots? appeared first on Geekazine.

Semitrailer and truck body manufacturer Wabash National Corporation announced plans to idle two facilities in Little Falls, Minnesota, and Goshen, Indiana. The company expects the actions to result in approximately 270 layoffs.A Wabash SEC filing mentioned 56 job cuts in Minnesota and 214 in Indiana. WARN Notices revealed that impacted positions will include maintenance and production coordinators, machine operators, assemblers and welders — with the latter two accounting for 83 of the affected employees in Indiana. The Minnesota WARN Notice did not disclose the number of workers by role.

U.S. Steel faces a lawsuit from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after the company allegedly took unlawful action against a pregnant worker who suffered a miscarriage after months of work assignments inconsistent with her doctor's restrictions. The complaint claims that U.S. Steel violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act by failing to provide the employee with “reasonable accommodations.” The commission noted that the individual began working for U.S. Steel in 2012 and, since about 2018, had worked as a mobile equipment operator at the company's Minntac mine near Mountain Iron, Minnesota. The suit added that she typically operated a cleanup loader and served as a “fill-in” team lead leading up to her pregnancy around August 2023.The worker informed her immediate coworkers about her pregnancy around August and, later, her shift manager in October. She provided a doctor's note that said she could not operate heavy machinery, tracked vehicles or production trucks for the rest of the pregnancy. U.S. Steel allegedly responded by placing her on short-term sickness and accident leave for about a month without consulting her, while work within her restrictions reportedly remained available. 

On Christmas morning in 2023, the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was on its way from Vietnam to California, navigating through heavy weather in the North Pacific Ocean while carrying massive lithium-ion batteries, when a fire broke out in the cargo hold. The crew put out the fire, but then, three days later, as the ship sought refuge at the nearest port in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, another fire started in a second cargo hold. The crew was able to fight the fire, and it was put out the next day. No one was injured, but the incidents aboard the 410-foot-long Genius Star XI caused some $3.8 million in property damage. According to a recent NTSB report, the probable cause of the two fires was improperly secured lashing belts.

Read our Macrovey deal analysis (closed) on KingscrowdRobotics hype is everywhere—but who actually makes robots work on real warehouse floors? In this episode, Chris sits down with Macrovey Director of Business Development Matt Labinski to unpack how Macrovey designs fully autonomous, material-handling systems that act like a warehouse “Robotics OS.” We start with what Macrovey is and isn't (00:03)—the company doesn't manufacture robots, it integrates best-in-class OEMs through proprietary orchestration software. Matt explains the model (00:32): up-front design + install and recurring software/maintenance—plus a Robots-as-a-Service option that lowers CapEx. We dive into who buys (06:28): e-commerce, 3PLs, pharma, defense (U.S. Air Force) and even smaller 10k–100k sq ft facilities. Category context (07:31): warehouse robotics penetration is still surprisingly low; Macrovey targets the SMB/mid-market others ignore. We cover why OEMs and warehouses need an integrator (09:09), the sales cycle and deal sizes (12:22)—from $50k pilots to $3M+ programs—and how modular, mobile systems (25:03) move with demand. Finally, we hit the AI layer (27:31): machine learning that optimizes slotting, picking, and vision-based QA. If you want exposure to warehouse autonomy without betting on a single robot, Macrovey's middle-layer, recurring-revenue approach may be the de-risked way to play it.

Earlier this week, Ford scrapped the fully-electric F-150 Lightning and pivoted away from aggressive EV plans after losing $13 billion on the category since 2023.As consumer demand wanes and the company plans to take another $19.5 billion hit in Q4, Ford is shifting gears toward extended-range gas-powered vehicles and hybrids.The ripple effects throughout the supply chain will be far-reaching, including its $6.5 billion deal with LG Energy Solutions to make some 500,000 batteries per year. According to recent regulatory filings, that deal has been scrapped.

Boris Sofman is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bedrock Robotics, a company turning existing construction equipment into fully autonomous fleets through same-day hardware upfits. With over $80 million in funding from Eclipse, 8VC, NVIDIA Ventures, and former Waymo CEO John Krafcik, Bedrock is tackling a major bottleneck in the global economy: a massive construction labor shortage just as demand for data centers, clean energy projects, housing, and manufacturing is skyrocketing. In this episode, Boris shares how his experience building autonomous vehicles at Waymo inspired him to apply similar AI and machine learning approaches to heavy equipment. He explains why full autonomy matters in construction, what it unlocks for efficiency and safety, and how Bedrock plans to accelerate infrastructure and industrial development through robotic automation.Episode recorded on Sept 30, 2025 (Published on Nov 13, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [02:45] Boris's background in robotics and autonomous vehicles[04:50] Learnings from Waymo applied to construction[10:09] Boris's predictions for autonomous vehicles in the future[18:44] Why he left Waymo to start Bedrock Robotics[22:59] Choosing construction as the first market for autonomy[25:26] How Bedrock upfits machines without permanent modifications[26:25] Why excavators are the first target use case[28:20] Training AI to navigate changing job site environments[30:54] Skipping teleoperation and going straight to autonomy[35:52] Bedrock's GTM focus on heavy industrial sectors[40:46] How to work with traditional industries effectively[43:55] How autonomy solves labor shortages and safety challenges Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

How industrial marketers can use product marketing to drive real sales momentum. What does great product marketing look like inside a manufacturing organization? And how can small teams adopt enterprise-level tactics to drive results? In this episode, Gorilla 76's Peyton Warren and Allen Fennewald sit down with Kelly Cicconi Battaglini — a 13-year product marketing leader at Phoenix Contact — to break it down. You'll learn how to: - Influence sales, even when it feels out of reach - Align marketing and sales through incentives and collaboration - Energize your distributors and channel partners - Craft value propositions that stick - Launch (or relaunch) products that actually move the needle - Manage internal approvals and stakeholders without getting stuck - Adapt big-team strategies for small-team success Whether you're launching a product, supporting sales or managing distributor relationships, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply right away. RESOURCES

As manufacturers and processors globally navigate through an era marked by rapid technological advancements, trade and geopolitical uncertainties, and evolving consumer demands, the need for flexible, interoperable, and software-centric automation systems has never been more critical. Open software-defined automation is not just an incremental improvement; it's a strategic imperative that enables industries to enhance their competitiveness, operational resilience, efficiency, and sustainability. In this podcast, Craig Resnick, Vice President, from the ARC Advisory Group. and Hany Fouda, Senior Vice President, Process Automation, Industrial Automation Business, at Schneider Electric, will provide their insights on the transformative impact of open software-defined systems, explore the challenges faced by industry leaders, the role of Schneider Electric in driving this transformation, the benefits of adopting open software-defined automation, and real-life applications and future directions that affect industrial automation users globally. Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?Do you have an intriguing or thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast? Please contact Our Producer Tom Cabot at: Tcabot@Arcweb.comView all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Stephen Beck, Senior Chemical Engineer at Huffman Engineering, to explore his journey from building control panels at age 10 to shaping automation systems across utilities, life sciences, and manufacturing. Stephen shares insights from his early experiences at a nuclear power plant, his transition into systems integration, and how Huffman Engineering's “making ideas work” philosophy continues to drive quality and customer trust. Along the way, he unpacks challenges like balancing modernization with cost constraints, navigating project politics, and managing the growing impact of AI and cybersecurity on the automation industry. Whether you're an engineer, integrator, or industry leader, this conversation offers thoughtful takeaways on resilience, ethics, and innovation in industrial automation.  

Fabrice Meunier is the Vice-President of Industrial End Users and Software and Julia Hull is the Vice-President of Industrial Business and Strategic Accounts for Schneider Electric.

There are many applications in the industrial automation realm that benefit from state machines. Therefore, it was surprising to hear from an industrial programming specialist who says he does not like state machines and was adamant about their not working. In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor in chief Mike Bacidore discusses state machines.

Manufacturers know that automation is table stakes in 2025, and yet it's still a bit of an afterthought for some. You'd think something that can make or break a facility would be everyone's number one priority. And as you'll hear in this episode, overlooking automation can sometimes have disastrous consequences. In this episode, we sit down with Cassy Gardner and Chris Schleich from E Tech Group over virtual Pellegrinos to unpack a real-world case study. They were called in to revive a mothballed solar facility where the owners had accidentally destroyed critical automation infrastructure during demolition. Cut wiring, severed connections, damaged systems... all the stuff they didn't realize was essential until it was gone. The two walk us through everything from why Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies matter (even when you're racing against the clock) to how “humble confidence” became their project philosophy. You'll hear about oversized electrical panels, “pit bull” project managers, and why sometimes the best sales strategy is just showing up when you say you will. In this episode, find out: Why automation often becomes an afterthought in capital projects, and the surprising impact that has How automation may be a small slice of the spend, but determines how the plant runs The most common pitfall manufacturers face when it comes to automation planning What a FEED study is, and why it's essential in fast-paced projects How "humble confidence" and "tenacious politeness" became guiding principles for E Tech What happens when demolition destroys critical wiring and IO connections and how a hazardous monitoring partner failed mid-project Lessons any manufacturer can apply whether that's running a project with 45 people or just five Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Typically, in a large capital project, the automation budget is around 10%. But it's a really critical 10% that you need to invest to have the manufacturing work the way you want to work.” – Cassy Gardner “Automation relative to mechanical, electrical process, etc. has an outsized impact.”– Chris Schleich “Always start earlier than you think you need to start. If you can engage a partner who is an expert in automation, you will set yourself up for a foundation of success.” – Cassy Gardner Links & mentions: E Tech Group, one of the largest engineering and systems integration companies in the US, providing automation, control and information systems Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter is joined by Marcos Carlotto, Director of Software-Defined Automation at Schneider Electric, for a deep dive into how open systems, artificial intelligence, and workforce transformation are reshaping the industrial automation landscape. From Schneider's bold stance against proprietary platforms to real-world examples of scalable innovation—like retrofitting 60 pump stations in just 6 months—Marcos reveals how flexibility, speed, and partner ecosystems are key to future-proofing automation. If you're curious about what's next for automation—or how to thrive in it—this episode delivers strategic insight with global perspective. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

Podcast: ICS Cyber Talks PodcastEpisode: Shlomo Eshed Founder & CEO @Romtrex about Industrial Automation OT cyber & Secure Remote AccessPub date: 2025-08-28Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationאני יכול להגיד בביטחון שמרבית אנשי הסייבר שעוסקים במערכות תפעוליות מגיעים ממערכות המידע ולמדו את תחום הבקרה, ללא הבנה של תחום הבקרה לעומק ההגנות יהיו מתוך התפיסה של מערכות מידע טעות מוכרת של הרבה מנהלי מערכות מידע ומנהלי אבטחת מידע בסביבות תפעוליות. משב רוח מרענן הם אנשי בקרה שנכנסו גם לתחום הסייבר, במסגרת המסע שלי למציאת פתרונות גישה מאובטחת מרחוק למערכות תפעוליות מצאתי פתרון נפלא אבל יותר חשוב מצאתי מומחה בקרה שטבל את ידיו בקלחת הרותחת של סייבר כדי לתת פתרון ללקוחותיו כבר משלב התכנון ועד סיום הביצוע. נחשון פינקו מארח את שלמה אשד מייסד ומנכ"ל רומטרקס בשיחה על סייבר בעולמות התפעולים מנקודת מבט של מומחה בקרה והצורך בפתרונות הגנה ייעודיים. Most cyber professionals who deal with operational systems come from information systems and studied the control field. Without an in-depth understanding of the control field, defenses will be based on the perception of information systems —a common mistake among IT managers and information security managers in operational environments. A refreshing breath of fresh air are control professionals who have also entered the cyber field. As part of my journey to find secure remote access solutions for operational systems, I found an excellent solution. Still, more importantly, I found a control expert who has dipped his hands into the boiling cauldron of cyber to provide a solution to his clients from the planning stage to the end of execution. Nachshon Pincu hosts Shlomo Eshed, founder and CEO of Romtrex, in a conversation about cyber in the world of operations from the perspective of a control expert and the need for dedicated protection solutions. And more ועודThe podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Nachshon Pincu, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

In part two of our safety series on the Digitalization Tech Talks podcast, Jonas Norinder and Don Mack welcome Chase Davis from EOSYS to explore how digital safety systems are transforming machine operations. Building on last month's episode with Al Prosowski from Dow on process safety, this conversation dives into implementation strategies, risk assessments, and the role of technologies like fail-safe PLCs and Profisafe.Learn how digital safety reduces downtime, simplifies upgrades, and supports flexible manufacturing while keeping safety at the core. Whether you're modernizing legacy equipment or starting fresh, this episode offers practical insights for safer, smarter operations.

Check out the TIES Sales Showdown at www.tx.ag/TIESVisit The Sales Lab at https://thesaleslab.org and check out all our guests' recommended readings at https://thesaleslab.org/reading-listTo listen to The Sales Lab Podcast on your favorite apps, visit https://thesaleslab.simplecast.com/ and select your preferred method of listening.Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saleslabpodcastConnect with us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesaleslabSubscribe to The Sales Lab channel on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp703YWbD3-KO73NXUTBI-Q 

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter welcomes Bud Weightman—President of Qualified Specialists International (QSI) and a seasoned expert with over 35 years in quality management, auditing, and standards consulting. Bud takes us inside his journey from launching QSI in 1989 to auditing high-stakes offshore drilling operations around the globe. He explains the importance of risk-based auditing, why cookie-cutter systems fall short, and how custom, standards-driven solutions help companies improve performance, safety, and compliance. You'll also learn about the value of CSIA certification, the connection between intuition and successful audits, and what sets Bud's approach apart in an industry built on trust, evidence, and continuous improvement. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

Control's Keith Larson caught up with Rahul Negi, director of digital and autonomous operations for Honeywell Process Solutions, to discuss AI's rapidly evolving capabilities: from assisting human-decision makers to manifesting aspects of true autonomy.

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Paul Adams, Senior Director of Partner Ecosystems at GE Vernova, to explore how his nearly three-decade journey with GE has shaped a deep understanding of software, systems, and integrator partnerships. From building global relationships to embracing cloud transformation and tackling cybersecurity challenges, Paul shares real-world insights into what it takes to scale, support, and modernize industrial automation today. Tune in to hear his thoughts on workforce evolution, strategic acquisitions, and the power of curiosity and connection in career growth. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Lu Zhang⁠, Founder and Managing Partner at Fusion Fund. They discuss AI innovation, revenue acceleration in early-stage companies, and how repeat founders are capitalizing on today's unique market dynamics. This interview is part of the Milken Global Conference coverage by Mission Matters. Big thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Milken Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for inviting us to cover the conference. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Lu Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner at Fusion Fund. They discuss AI innovation, revenue acceleration in early-stage companies, and how repeat founders are capitalizing on today's unique market dynamics. This interview is part of the Milken Global Conference coverage by Mission Matters. Big thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Milken Institute⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for inviting us to cover the conference. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From China to Southeast Asia: Strategic Manufacturing ShiftsWelcome to another insightful episode of the Asia Business Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with David Alexander, the CEO of Baysource Global. With an extensive footprint in contract manufacturing and consultation across Asia, David brings forward remarkable insights into the evolving landscape of global supply chains, focusing heavily on Asia's dynamic market.Introducing David AlexanderConnect with DavidVisit Baysource GlobalDavid Alexander is at the helm of Baysource Global, a company that specializes in managing contract manufacturing projects across several Asian hubs, including China, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. With a proven track record in due diligence, supplier selection, and organizational integrity, David and his team offer unmatched consulting services in manufacturing and quality assurance.The Changing Landscape of Global ManufacturingReflecting on his initial experiences dating back to 2005, David shares transformative moments that reshaped his understanding of manufacturing processes in Asia. From witnessing delicate manual craftsmanship in China's factories to the integration of sophisticated robotics, the contrast sheds light on technological evolution and adaptation to labor shortages today.The China Plus One StrategyThe push towards diversification has seen many companies adopt a China plus one strategy to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single nation. David discusses the shift and the potential of countries like Vietnam and Cambodia as emerging manufacturing hubs, emphasizing the need for patience and strategic financial analysis given the varied readiness of these countries.Unveiling Manufacturing IngenuityDavid illuminates the ingenuity observed in factories across Asia, from innovative shipping strategies to the birth of new products leveraging existing manufacturing capabilities. His anecdotes highlight the entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability deeply embedded within the Asian manufacturing context.Challenges in Supplier SelectionIdentifying the right supplier is often fraught with challenges, compounded by cultural and operational differences. David outlines several red flags and conditions that might elude the untrained eye but can significantly impact production quality and supply continuity.Cultural Nuances in BusinessNavigating cultural nuances remains integral to establishing strong business relationships in Asia. David unpacks how countries like China, Vietnam, and India vary in their business approach and communication, offering invaluable tips for companies looking to make inroads into these markets.The Impact of Tariffs and the Future LandscapeTariff uncertainties have cast long shadows over international trade. Although the future remains uncertain, David discusses potential scenarios and the roles emerging markets like Cambodia might play in the future as cost-effective manufacturing destinations.In ConclusionDavid Alexander's insights underscore the importance of strategic planning, cultural understanding, and innovative thinking in navigating Asia's manufacturing landscape. Whether it's through diversification strategies or tapping into new markets, his viewpoints offer a roadmap for companies seeking to optimize their manufacturing operations.For more insights and consultancy services, David Alexander is reachable through LinkedIn or Baysource Global's website, where listeners can delve deeper into the strategies discussed in this episode. Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:14 Current Supply Chain Challenges00:48 Overview of Bay Source Global01:59 Evolution of Manufacturing in Asia06:36 Innovative Solutions in Manufacturing09:48 China Plus One Strategy12:00 Evaluating Suppliers and Red Flags17:22 Cultural Differences in Business Practices25:57 Impact of Tariffs and Future Predictions30:44 Conclusion and Contact Information  ProducerJacob ThomasFollow UsLinkedInApple Podcasts

How will AI change Industrial automation?  Ashlesha Anil Chaudhari  and Alex Kaderi from Masked Owl Technologies join us this week to  discuss how their team is building practical solutions to support engineers and rethink the use of AI and new technologies on the factory floor.Hear firsthand insights into what manufacturers are actually adopting, where they're finding real value, and why some initiatives stall out.Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonzales/ Connect with Ali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-gilpin-ali-g-process-controls-engineering/Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneydfernandez/Connect with Ashlesha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlesha-anil-chaudhari-7853169a/Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kaderi-18338bb8/Learn more about Masked Owl Technologies: https://www.maskedowltechnologies.com/Support the show__________________________________________________________________Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions. Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!Get in touch with us at automationladies.io!P.S. - Help our podcast grow with a 5-star podcast review if you love us!

We're seeing a huge leap in potential when it comes to what AI can accomplish in industrial settings. Not only can it catch errors, it can provide intelligent insights to prevent them in the first place, reduce waste, save costs, and improve processes. Recorded live from Automate 2025, we sat down with Alvin Clark, Senior AI Engineer at NVIDIA, to discuss AI agents in manufacturing and how they're reshaping industrial inspections. We hear about all the different use cases of AI agents, including error detection and understanding the root cause of errors, saving costs, and even supplying training data to patch the gaps in “tribal knowledge” of manufacturing processes. You'll hear real examples of how AI agents have saved costs and reduced errors drastically when monitoring SOPs and how they can provide multimodal maintenance assistance. Alvin also takes us through how NVIDIA's Metropolis works at helping developers create visual AI agents and why the next few years will see visual AI inspections take off in manufacturing. In this episode, find out: Alvin shares his background in the AI space and why he saw potential in AI earlier than most Why 2012 was the real AI boom and how we saw a shift from the algorithm being king to data being king Alvin's explanation for what an AI agent does in four stages How AI agents are evolving beyond capturing data to providing intelligence in industrial settings How vision inspection can perform not only real time error detection but also real time failure analysis Use cases for AI agents and examples of how Alvin has seen them most successful How AI agents could also address the skills gap and replace the multimodal “tribal knowledge” we'll lose when people start retiring Alvin breaks down how Metropolis works to help developers build visual AI agents How simulation, training and data transform what AI agents can accomplish Alvin's perspective on where manufacturers are in their industrial AI journeys The role of systems integrators in leading the AI revolution What the next phase of AI agents will look like Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “Metropolis is a combination of models and tools that are used to build what we call vision analytics. So anytime you're looking at video images and you want to extract information from that, these are the tools that can help you do that.” - Alvin Clark “It's not really the ability to catch the error, it's the ability to, as quickly as possible understand the genesis that caused the error.” - Alvin Clark  ”If I had to kind of describe an AI agent, it is a collection of one or more models that can perceive, reason, and potentially plan and then execute.” - Alvin Clark Links & mentions: NVIDIA Metropolis, automating physical spaces and infrastructure with interactive visual AI agents and services AlexNet, a convolutional neural network architecture developed for image classification tasks, like identifying a cat Make sure to visit

In this special crossover episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter shares a conversation from Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, featuring outgoing CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. As he prepares to step down after 10 transformative years, Jose looks back on the challenges and triumphs that shaped the Control System Integrators Association—from navigating the pandemic and launching remote certifications to championing emerging leaders and expanding globally. Listeners will gain insights into how CSIA evolved to meet the needs of a new generation of system integrators and why the upcoming Learning Hub could redefine professional development in automation. If you're interested in leadership transitions, association strategy, or the future of industrial integration, this episode delivers thoughtful reflections and a hopeful look ahead. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

Our guest in this episode is Giovanni Campanella, the Industrial Automation and Robotics General Manager at Texas Instruments (TI). In this conversation, co-host Mike Oitzman speaks with Campanella about TI's extensive portfolio in industrial automation and robotics, highlighting key product lines and the company's collaboration with various robotics companies. Giovanni shares insights into the challenges of designing humanoid robots, the evolving demands in robotics, and the importance of safety in design. They also explore the expansion of robotics into new sectors such as healthcare and agriculture, and how TI engages with engineers to provide tailored solutions. The conversation concludes with a look at future trends in robotics and the skills needed for systems engineers in this rapidly changing field. ### Our sponsor this week is SDPSI. Let's dive into the critical role of precision, quality, and alignment in robotics design and assembly. At SDP/SI, our engineering experts go beyond the standard manufacturing process by reviewing your designs before production, offering cost-effective, space-saving solutions that streamline your entire assembly process. Discover how we help robotics companies achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how SDP/SI can elevate your robotics applications. Discover the difference! Visit https://sdp-si.com/ to learn more.

Explore how AI and edge computing are transforming industrial innovation with Tim van der Horst, Director of Europe at OnLogic. In this episode, Tim unpacks how OnLogic is redefining B2B hardware by delivering consumer-grade experiences in industrial environments. He shares how the team is scaling efficiently, controlling costs, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible when AI and edge technologies converge. Tune in for expert insights from the cutting edge of tech and innovation.

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Brian Doyle, CEO of Holden Advisors, to explore how B2B companies—especially in manufacturing and industrial sectors—can unlock growth through value-based pricing. Brian shares insights on navigating market uncertainty, communicating across generational teams, and tackling challenges like tariffs and inflation with pricing strategies that stick. Key Takeaways: Why value-based pricing outperforms cost-plus models How to assess your company's pricing power Common pricing pitfalls during market disruptions The importance of segmenting customers by price sensitivity Tips for sales teams to defend pricing and reduce unnecessary discounting Tune in to learn how pricing can become your company's most powerful growth lever. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)