Overview

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring top industry leaders and automation experts as they delve into the latest strategies and best practices for implementing automation on the shop floor. This session is tailored for both those just starting their automation journey to seasoned experts looking to refine their processes. Sharing from their personal experience, panelists will focus on practical strategies for shop floor automation and attendees will gain actionable tips to confidently elevate automation projects. Attendees will learn ways to identify both tasks ripe for automation as well as high-impact automation opportunities and discover new ways to make informed decisions about automation investments. Using real world examples, panelists will also review key technologies that have made automation viable for all operations including high-mix, and how to balance human and technology interactions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from some of the top experts and transform your approach to automation.

About the Presenters

moderator

Will Healy , III

Teradyne

Biography

Will Healy III is enthusiastic about manufacturing, technology and workforce development. A Purdue University mechanical engineer who loves to share his passion for automation, Will is a global leader at Universal Robots and with the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) in Cincinnati. He speaks from personal experience about people-centric technology investments, managing culture change in organizations, bridging the manufacturing skills gap and creating value through automation. With more than 20 years of experience in a variety of industries including automotive, packaging, food & beverage, metal fabrication, welding and more; Will is widely published, is a regular podcast guest, is an in-demand panelist and presents internationally at a variety of industry conferences.

speakers

Steven T King

UNC-Chapel Hill

Biography

Steven King is the Reese Felts, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Emerging Technologies at UNC-Chapel Hill, jointly appointed to the Hussman School of Journalism and Media and Kenan-Flagler Business School. He blends computer science, design, and storytelling to
explore emerging technologies like AR/VR, AI, and interactive media. As Chief Innovations Officer of UNC Blue Sky Innovations, he leads efforts to apply these tools in corporate problem-solving and the future of higher education. A former Innovations Editor and Video Director at The Washington Post, Steven holds a master’s in computer science and consults globally with Fortune 500 firms and government agencies. He lives in Durham, N.C., with his wife and has three sons.
David Pietrocola

Cohesive Robotics

Biography

Entrepreneur, consultant and technology leader; Education: University of Pennsylvania David has led teams and developed cutting-edge products for some of the most demanding and mission-critical environments in industry and government. He grew up in a family metalworking business and has a deep understanding for the demands on high-mix manufacturing operations.
Kate Brown

Wipfli LLP

Biography

Kate Brown is a business intelligence and analytics leader with over 10 years of experience helping manufacturers gain more timely insight into operational performance and surfacing information that team members need to make informed decisions across the organization.