Welcome to the PEI Connects Podcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.

In today’s episode we ask the question: Is AI the missing piece in revolutionising connector automation?

Picture this: a vast warehouse humming with activity, a symphony of machines working seamlessly to fulfil online grocery orders. A few years ago, as part of my role as a STEM PR consultant, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Ocado's customer fulfilment centre.

The UK-based online-only supermarket was one of the first to develop this kind of automation in response to the growing demand for online shopping. Back then many online supermarkets used conveyors to transport items to human pickers who would take what they needed to fulfil their order, placing the crate back on the conveyor to be replenished. This was a reliable but slow process where items would travel for many hours along conveyors.

In contrast, the new automation consisted of a sophisticated array of thousands of autonomous guided vehicles moving at high speed along a tall aluminium grid structure, picking and processing around 3.5m items, or some 65,000 customer orders a week. The system relied on an algorithm to drive the intelligence behind the robots’ movements. The scale of automation was mind-boggling — a hive of robots, a dance of technology, orchestrated with precision. A sneak peek into a future where efficiency meets elegance.

Today, these algorithms have evolved into fully fledged AI systems that can operate across the business, from fleet management, supply chain planning, warehouse management, virtual assistance, freight and more. In fact, according to MarketResearchGuru.com – the global AI in supply chain and logistics market was valued at over $5bn in 2022 and is expected to reach $15bn by 2028. Despite these lofty valuations, it remains to be seen just how much of this investment is speculation, and how much is actually delivering value.

To find out how AI is changing the connector industry I spoke to Lee Slater, European Operations Manager at PEI-Genesis, about the company’s journey with automation to date, and how it is using AI as a tool in its assembly operations.

PEI-Genesis is a global leader in the design and assembly of custom engineered connectors and cable solutions for harsh environments. One of the company’s key differentiators is that it doesn’t only hold stock of finished connectors, it holds most of its inventory as component parts, which are then made to order. Thanks to high levels of automation in its assembly lines, the company is able to offer a minimum order quantity of just 1 product, and lead times of 48 hours on select product lines.

I asked Lee whether AI in automation is a gimmick. Stream the full episode to listen to the discussion.

So, what are the key takeaways from today's episode?

The first is that AI is proving to be more than just a buzzword. In our discussion, Lee emphasised the role of AI in PEI’s operations. It's not about replacing humans but working in harmony, optimising warehouse processes, and ensuring the most efficient routes for assembly. The marriage of human expertise with AI intelligence is shaping the future of connector manufacturing.

Second, AI is not just streamlining processes; it's enabling more customisation in the connector industry, balancing human skill with being able to deliver custom solutions at scale. For companies like PEI-Genesis whose high levels of automation have allowed it to offer a minimum order quantity of just one product with short lead times, AI may, in time, improve that offer further.

That's it for today's episode. If you're curious about the intricate process of engineering connectors, don't miss our next episode. Hit subscribe so you don’t miss a single insight. Thanks for tuning in to the PEI Connects Podcast, see you soon!

Welcome to the PEI Connects Podcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.

In today’s episode we ask the question: What’s next for the EV and e-mobility market?

It won’t come as a surprise to learn that the transportation sector is the world’s second largest producer of carbon emissions, second only to coal-fired electricity generation. According to the International Energy Agency the transport sector accounted for nearly 8 Gt of CO2 in 2022. To tackle this, over the last few years we’ve seen a global push towards the increased adoption of EVs. So much so, that it’s probably fair to say that when we think of battery powered vehicles, we nearly always think of EV cars. This makes sense. According to analysis from Statista.com, the vast majority of transportation-related emissions comes from road vehicles, such as passenger cars and freight trucks. Although EV cars and trucks remain front and centre, this push towards electrification over the last few years has expanded into more than just cars.

The E-mobility market is growing rapidly and includes everything from e-scooters and e-bikes all the way to electric buses, boats and planes. While these developments are encouraging, they also pose many engineering challenges. As we pack more and more electrical components into these vehicles, the burden on cable harnesses and connectors also grows.

These components must increasingly withstand higher power, higher currents and harsh environments, including issues such as ingress, temperature and pressure fluctuations, cooling capacity, shock, vibration and more. At the same time, we expect the vehicles to use lighter and stronger materials, deliver longer ranges, charge quickly and still meet high safety levels.

As the market expands to include more diverse, often more powerful vehicles, safety will become an even bigger concern.

To understand what’s next for the EV market, I recently interviewed Hans Wegendal, Regional Sales Manager Scandinavia at connector manufacturer PEI-Genesis.

PEI-Genesis is a global leader in the design and assembly of custom engineered connectors and cable solutions for harsh environments. One of the company’s key differentiators is that it doesn’t only hold stock of finished connectors, it holds most of its inventory as component parts, which are then made to order. Thanks to high levels of automation in its assembly lines, the company is able to offer a minimum order quantity of just 1 product, and lead times of 48 hours on select product lines.

I asked Hans, can you describe what makes the broader e-mobility market so exciting? Stream to the full episode to listen to the discussion.

So, what are the key takeaways from today’s episode?

The e-mobility market is very diverse and growing quickly. The sheer variation in types and applications of the vehicles makes this a highly complex market that requires a deep understanding of connector solutions to suit all needs.

These connectors and cable solutions will have to cater for everything from slow and fast chargers; for vehicles designed to be used on land, air and sea; for last-mile deliveries or long-distance freight; for agricultural machines, from a personal e-scooter, all the way to an e-plane.

The role of design engineering will take centre stage in delivering these solutions, advising on everything from technical innovation and regulatory compliance to material use, safety, and complete product lifecycle. With its in-house design engineering team and relationships with suppliers across industry, companies like PEI-Genesis are well positioned to lead the market.

That’s it for today’s episode. If you enjoyed listening, then please rate the podcast on your favourite platform and be sure to leave a review. In the next episode, we’ll be delving into the world of AI automation in warehousing. See you soon!

Welcome to the PEI Connects

Podcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.

In today’s episode we ask the question: what does an affordable EV mean for the connector market?

VW recently beat Tesla to the punch by announcing the ID.2all a true EV for the masses, with a starting price of £22,000. While this news might signal a watershed moment in the transition to EVs, it also has implications for manufacturers, as they ramp up component production to meet demand.

Looking at the bigger picture, according to MIT Technology Review, “In just the past two years, the number of EVs sold annually in [China] grew from 1.3 million to a whopping 6.8 million, making 2022 the eighth consecutive year in which China was the world’s largest market for EVs. For comparison, the US only sold about 800,000 EVs in 2022.”

However, there is an important caveat to make here, which is that although China is the biggest market by volume, the US is actually higher for EVs sold per capita, which means that the US is arguably making more progress in transitioning to EVs. Nonetheless, the challenge of scaling manufacturing and the assembly of connectors is still a major issue on the horizon that will need to be addressed.

One of the key components both in the vehicle and in the charging station is the EV connector.

I recently visited the European Manufacturing Facility of connector manufacturer PEI-Genesis in Southampton in the UK and spoke to Jonathan Parry, the company’s senior vice president and MD Europe, to find out what an affordable EV might mean for the connector market.

With nearly 8 years of service to PEI, Jonathan has established himself as a prominent figure in the electronic manufacturing industry. PEI-Genesis is a global leader in the design and assembly of custom engineered connectors and cable solutions for harsh environments. One of the company’s key differentiators is that it doesn’t only hold stock of finished connectors, it holds most of its inventory as component parts, which are then made to order. Thanks to high levels of automation in its assembly lines, the company is able to offer a minimum order quantity of just 1 product, and lead times of 48 hours on select product lines.

I asked Jonathan, what does an affordable EV mean for the connector market. Tune in to the podcast to hear the interview with Jonathan.

So, what are the key takeaway’s from today’s episode? Well, the main one for me is that the EV market is more diverse than the headlines might lead us to believe. It’s evident from PEI’s experience that the EV market is made up of more than just cars, and includes a broader group of e-mobility solutions such as e-boats, e-scooters, e-aircraft and more.

This is where many of the company’s customers rely on its expertise to help them navigate their connector journey for the years to come – including the development, design, prototyping and mass production stages of their journey.

It’s also clear that charging infrastructure and the fragmentation of connector types still poses a challenge. Although the technology is slowly converging towards a single preferred connector type, it will still need to integrate safer connectors that can deliver charging at higher power, and that’s where innovation in connector design will play a key role.

That’s it for today’s episode. If you enjoyed listening, then please rate the podcast on your favourite platform and be sure to leave a review. In the next episode, we’ll be delving into the world of connector engineering and what goes into these often-hidden industrial components.

Welcome to the PEI Connects Podcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.