F009: Empowering The Workforce with Automation

Most automation investments underperform — not because the technology failed, but because the human system around it was never set up to succeed. This session breaks down a practitioner's framework for designing human-robot teams that actually deliver at every stage of the automation journey.

We'll draw on real deployment data to show why throughput gains have less to do with system performance and more to do with how operators and workflows are built around the robot. Operator ownership alone can drive 2x throughput. We'll also cover how Physical-AI enables high-mix environments to adapt to variation without reprogramming — unlocking applications that couldn't be automated before.

Plant managers and operations leaders will walk away with a concrete roadmap: how to select the right first application, manage organizational change, and track the metrics that tell you whether your human-robot team is performing as designed.

The future of American manufacturing belongs to the "10x Operator", a superstar who steps away from repetitive tasks to command a fleet of intelligent, adaptable robots and software tools. Learn how to retool your shop to become more competitive while cultivating your own 10x operators. We explore how to:

• Automate the Repetitive: Deploy robots to eliminate labor-intensive bottlenecks, freeing your team to win higher-value contracts by developing unmatched capabilities.

• Seamlessly Grow: Scale to match demand with intuitive platforms that make directing a new robot as natural as training a teammate.

• Master High-Mix Production: Utilize modular, flexible robots that keep your shop agile and profitable in a shifting market.

• Amplify Operator Voices: Equip your team with AI tools that help them translate hands-on expertise into shop-wide solutions.

Operators' know-how is your company’s greatest asset. Discover how AI and robotics can instantly multiply their impact, allowing every operator to become a superstar.