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Manufacturing Tech Update: Industrial GenAI and HMI/MES Collaborations, Automated Storage Success and IoT ROI

Get Automation World’s insights on four key news items showcasing automation hardware and software successes: a game-changing industrial AI partnership led by Siemens, 177% throughput gains at Balluff using AutoStore’s automated storage tech, a combination of Körber’s MES and Pepperl+Fuchs’ HMI tech for on-site and remote global pharma production oversight and compliance, and compelling survey data from Verizon showing IoT investments driven by measurable returns within months.

Does the Cable Connecting Your VFD and Motor Really Matter?

In this episode, we connect with Steve Wetzel, a member of IEEE and principal applications engineer with Southwire Company, one of North America's largest wire and cable manufacturers and the sponsor of this podcast, to learn more about how the cable connecting a VFD to a motor might be costing you thousands of dollars in premature motor failures, unexpected downtime and interference with other equipment.

AI in Manufacturing: What’s Working, What Isn’t and Why

In this podcast episode, we've assembled insights from three articles recently published on automationworld.com that paint a picture of where AI is succeeding, where it's struggling and, most importantly, what manufacturers can actually do about it. Featured in this podcast are insights from industrial AI experts at Altimetrik, Beckhoff, Emerson and Wago.

Are Smart Sensors Changing Manufacturing?

Learn how smart sensors enable predictive maintenance, AI-powered manufacturing, and revolutionary ADAR technology that's changing industrial automation and robot safety economics with insights from Endress+Hauser, Rockwell Automation, specialty chemicals company Premix Group, and Sonair.

Why MES Software Has Become Central to Smart Factory Operations

In this episode we explain how IT/OT convergence, the need for digital thread traceability and agentic AI have extended MES software beyond its production tracking roots and are putting it at the core of industry's digital transformation. Insights from Luigi de Bernardini, CEO of system integrator Autoware, and Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO of Critical Manufacturing, explain why and how this is happening and what manufacturers should be doing in response.

Will Tariffs Force a Revision of Automation Plans and Sourcing Strategies?

In this episode we'll look at the impact of the recently imposed U.S. tariffs on industrial automation technologies, with insights from Endress+Hauser USA, Fluke Reliability, Weidmuller USA, Actemium Avanceon and Opto 22. We'll also provide recommendations on steps automation buyers can be taking now to secure stable pricing and supply.

Robot News Update

The summer of 2025 has shaped up to be very eventful for the robotics industry, with A3 reporting significant growth for both robots and cobots, key moves by well-known robotics experts, a new humanoid robot from major motion plastics company and a new collaboration between two industrial heavyweights.

How Are Manufacturers Addressing the Workforce Shortage with Technology?

Tim Gaus from Deloitte Consulting joins us again — this time to discuss how automation technologies, particularly those aided by AI are helping manufacturers address the industrial workforce shortage that could lead to nearly 2 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, while production and operations management roles are currently going unfilled at nearly 50%.

How to Use Digitization and Automation for More Efficient Panel Building

In this episode we connect with Sanu Warrier, product director for software at nVent, to get insights on Industry 4.0's ROI for panel builders, how design to manufacturing (DTM) software differs from traditional CAD, how DTM software helps ease the friction between engineering and manufacturing, and the cost-saving specifics that DTM software provides to panel builders.

How Does AI Software Impact Robotics in Manufacturing?

In this episode, we connect with Kristi Martindale, chief commercial officer at Palladyne AI, to explore the use of low-code software and associated closed-loop systems to process data at the edge for AI-enabled robotics, how AI-powered robotics software adapts to new parts or processes, and what kinds of manufacturing applications stand to benefit most from this technology.