The worlds of robotics and automation have been picking up speed for some time now. But the pandemic has only fast-tracked the need for the next generation of talent to wield these tools.

Organizations such as Illuminate STEM are leading the way for young blood to gain knowledge and fly the flag for robotics for decades to come.

Terrence Southern, Founder, CEO & Executive Director at Illuminate STEM, joins this episode to explain how he taught budding robotics workers, how he started his company, and more.

Plus, Terrence outlines his predictions for the future of robotics and automation. He explains that, however excited younger generations are about robotics, the eagerness to get involved in the industry still has a long way to go.

In this episode, find out:

• How Terrence got started in robotics
• How he teaches students and helped a student who now works for one of world’s largest companies
• How Illuminate STEM first got started
• Why Terrence aims to make robotics a more viable career choice
• How the pandemic sped up our reliance on automation
• What Terrence thinks about the future of ‘cobots’
• Why, despite excitement around robotics, people don’t want to work in the industry
• The negative associations people have with robotics
• Terrence’s predictions for the future of robotics

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Tweetable Quotes:

• “I see ‘cobots’ becoming more accessible and more widely used.”
• “There’s so much to look forward to in the robotics industry.”
• “I hate to say it, but the pandemic was the perfect storm to open the floodgates for automation.”

Links & mentions:

• Northland Roller Rink, Detroit’s largest, oldest, world-renowned skating rink

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.