“The hardest part of robotics isn't actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a real customer problem.” Melonee Wise’s quote from this episode is a good summary of what we talk about in this episode – practical, real-world applications of the technology we see hyped.

Robotics, AMRs, humanoid robots, automation, AI – all of these things are hot topics in manufacturing. But the truth is that these solutions may not always result in the most exciting or sexiest applications. But when they’re eliminating boring, laborious tasks, it’s a huge opportunity across the industry.

For part two of our Automate 2025 special episode, we hear from five incredible people, all from different areas of manufacturing, automation and robotics.

We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.

We kick things off with Melonee Wise from Agility Robotics who you may have heard on the show before. She talks about the practical applications of using humanoid robots and where the industry is headed, while also talking through the biggest concern of adopting this new tech – safety.

Glen Guernsey from JR Automation talks about the biggest changes in warehouse automation today – including the ability to handle random SKU palletization. We chat with Zoie Rittling of OnLogic and Michael Maxey from ZEDEDA, about how right sizing AI at the edge is about eliminating boring work. And finally, Robert Ponsonby from Arduino talks about the interoperability and open-source solutions that drive innovation. All are slightly different takes on automation’s new capabilities but offer truly great insights for anyone working in manufacturing thinking about the future. 

In this episode, find out:

• Melonee talks through Agility Robotics’ humanoid demo and the practical applications of this tech
• Why Agility Robotics focused on bulk material handling at the beginning and takes a tiered approach to complexity  
• Why robots performing individual tasks isn’t what’s important – it’s how this connects to other systems and solves overall problems
• Where the humanoid market is likely headed compared to AMRs
• What the new safety standard means for humanoid implementation and how we could realistically see cooperatively safe humanoids working alongside humans
• Glen talks about the biggest changes we’re seeing in warehouse automation, including the ability to handle random SKU palletization
• Why the labor shortage will need to be supplemented with automation
• Practical applications of AGVs and AMRs in warehouse operations
• What the warehouse of the future will look like
• Zoie and Michael describe edge architecture and how it applies to managing applications
• How the industry can right-size AI at the edge and how this will look different from using cloud applications
• Why you need to prioritize integration when looking for the best AI partners
• Robert defines interoperability and Arduino’s approach to open-source software
• How interoperability in open source allows for innovation, empowering teams, and rapid deployment

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Tweetable Quotes:

• "The most innovative thing that's out there has to do with random SKU palletization... up until recently with the advances in AI and advances in vision systems, this was not something that was easily done." – Glen Guernsey
• "We've seen on average for rollouts on projects, a 70% reduction in timeline. Instead of a six-month project, all of a sudden, you guys are done in a month and a half.” Robert Ponsonby
• "The hard part is not actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a customer problem." Melonee Wise 

Links & mentions:

• Arduino, a leader in open-source hardware and software
• Agility Robotics, a leading manufacturer of humanoid robots and automation solutions
• JR Automation, intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions
• OnLogic, industrial computers engineered for IoT edge
• Automate, the biggest automation trade show, this year held in Detroit, Michigan 

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.