The Tech Friends recover from their long Memorial Day weekend, share what they did, and rejoice that the band is finally back together. Elissa reports that, of all companies, Chuck E. Cheese has a growing involvement in the STEM field before she introduces guest, Chris Luecke. He passes on his insights into the workforce, career fulfillment in engineering, and what technologies manufacturers are getting value from, as well as his takeaways from interviewing AI agents.

"Steve and Ben bring back a classic Tech Trends podcast banter topic: home automation and how to avoid doing yard work. Ramia introduces Travis, the MC of Hexagon live, while Steve introduces Jim Mayer, manufacturing influencer and Steve's sim racing bitter rival. Jim covers the rapid changes sweeping through industry and the top four technologies manufacturers are adopting, including the invaluable new tool that is AI."

Episode 136 of Tech Trends, Ramia Lloyd and Benjamin Moses welcome Nikki Gonzales (Automation Ladies, Wintec HMI) and Travis Egan (AMT) for a fast-paced chat on AI, digital twins, and leadership in modern manufacturing. Plus, a sneak peek at what's ahead at Hexagon Live Global 2025.

Episode 134: Steve and Ben share their observations, insights, and takeaways from ProMat2025. Stephen provides a testbed update and a realization that robot programming is easy… until you have to program the robot to physically interact with another thing. Ben shines a light on the disconnect between executives and AI versus regular staff and AI. Steve closes with good news: US manufacturing output accelerated in February.

Episode 133: Elissa dives straight in with 3D printing 4D materials. The team voices their loathing of daylight savings. Steve wonders how it’s 2025 and hot dogs are still not the appropriate length with respect to the buns. Ben shares his excitement for machine/robot programming becoming literally more hands-on. Steve closes with actual AI in gaming.

Episode 132: The Tech Friends open with older movies they’d like to see remade with some of the same actors and producers. Steve then goes on a long tangent waxing poetic about cars while desperately trying to relate it back to manufacturing technology… and failing. Elissa reports on the implementation of AI in 911 dispatch. Ben closes with somehow employing additive manufacturing for subtractive toolpath optimization.

Episode 131: Ben and Steve report back on their trip to SHOT Show 2025. Ben hard transitions to asking about Steve’s first experience with Pilates. Elissa announces that the AMT Tech Trends podcast has been placed as the #14 podcast in the manufacturing industry. Steve takes a stab at the difference between generative versus agentic AI. Elissa says the Army is getting into barracks 3D printing. Benjamin closes with more humanoid robots. Like a lot.

Episode 130: Steve kicks things off, blabbing about headphones and the latest audiophile nonsense to come out of CES, then goes on about some testbed developments. Ben talks about OpenAI’s humanoid robotics triggering Stephen sparking a discussion about the overhype of humanoids and how we should really be looking at exoskeletons. Elissa closes us out with a call for accountability.

Episode 129: Steve shares some updates with the testbed’s vision system. The Tech Friends discuss how to handle the snow and their 2025 goals. Elissa reports Italy’s efforts in 3D printing using marble waste. Stephen is sad about Crucible going out of business. Benjamin is excited about Nvidia’s latest evolutionary silicon.

Episode 128: The Tech Friends discuss their favorite holiday movies and shows. Elissa is hopeful for the future of space travel… once heat shields are squared away. Benjamin reports on video generation powered by AI LLMs. Stephen raises concerns over excessive energy consumption by AI.