In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
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Smarter Robots, Better Automation
Season 5 · Episode 3
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 20:44
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The third episode of season 5 is "Smarter Robots, Better Automation". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, and special guest Nathan Snider, Applications Engineer with ATS Life Sciences Systems.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
00:04 – Introduction
00:30 – Meet Nathan Snider: A look at his role as an ATS Applications Engineer and his experience with medical device assembly, life sciences, and automation projects.
01:07 – Why is assembly still one of the hardest things to automate?
01:52 – What can people do instinctively in assembly processes that robots still struggle to replicate?
02:31 – What types of assembly applications look simple but become surprisingly difficult to automate?
03:13 – Where does the complexity in assembly automation usually come from: the robot, the process, the product, or the surrounding system?
03:50 – What can manufacturers automate today that would have been difficult or impossible ten years ago?
04:20 – Is the robot still the most innovative part of an automation system?
05:23 – Has the focus shifted from repeatability to adaptability in modern automation?
06:20 – Is it better to engineer variability out of a process or teach robots to adapt?
06:49 – What was the biggest innovation behind collaborative robotics?
07:38 – Did collaborative robots change automation more through usability and deployment than through human-robot collaboration?
08:40 – When do collaborative robots make sense, and when are traditional robotic systems a better fit?
09:14 – Where does the engineering effort really go when commissioning an automation system?
09:58 – Why are customer requirements, communication, and alignment so critical to project success?
10:33 – How much of an automation system’s cost is actually tied to robotics and tooling?
11:09 – What are some of the biggest integration challenges automation teams face today?
11:41 – Why aren’t automation systems easier to build despite advances in technology?
12:35 – How can automation companies improve the way automation is deployed?
13:05 – How do standard platforms, reusable assets, and proven technologies help teams deliver automation faster?
13:54 – What parts of an automation system are the best candidates for standardization?
14:52 – Can you standardize the way automation teams solve applications and engineering challenges?
15:14 – Why isn’t platform adoption more common across...
From Controls Engineer to Product Leader
Season 5 · Episode 2
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 27:32
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The second episode of season 5 is another Careers in Focus highlight "From Controls Engineer to Product Leader ". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, and special guest Javan Taylor, Staff Specialist - Technical Sales Support for SuperTrak CONVEYANCE.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
00:04 - Introduction
00:53 - Joining ATS in 1995
ATS Spotlight: SuperTrak 30th Anniversary
Season 5 · Episode 1
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 15:35
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The first episode of season 5 is "ATS Spotlight: SuperTrak 30th Anniversary ". Join our season 5 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses the SuperTrak anniversary, a story to inspire the next generation of innovators.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
00:04 – Introduction
00:32 – The importance of conveyance
Working with Partners
Season 4 · Episode 10
Thursday, March 5, 2026 • Duration 26:23
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The tenth episode of season 4 is "Working with Partners". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses the SuperTrak CONVEYANCE™ and Siemens partnership with special guest, Christian Gehrhardt, Head of Business Development - Robotics and Flexible Conveyance Solutions (FCS) for Production Machines at Siemens.
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Leading Through Transformation
Season 4 · Episode 9
Thursday, February 5, 2026 • Duration 31:18
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The nineth episode of season 4 is "Leading Through Transformation – An Executive Perspective on AI, Automation, and Purposeful Change". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, as she discusses with special guests, Steve Emery and Miroslav Kafedzhiev.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Careers in Focus
Season 4 · Episode 8
Thursday, January 8, 2026 • Duration 32:37
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The eighth episode of season 4 is "Careers in Focus". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses Manufacturing AUTOMATION’s Lifetime Achievement Award with special guest, Steve Wardell. Read the article here: https://www.automationmag.com/a-vision-for-automation/
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
Upskilling for an Automated Future
Season 4 · Episode 7
Thursday, December 4, 2025 • Duration 31:38
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The seventh episode of season 4 is "Upskilling for an Automated Future – Preparing People, Not Replacing Them". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, as she discusses with special guests, Simon Roberts and Kamila Schmitt. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
The Business of Automation
Season 4 · Episode 6
Thursday, November 6, 2025 • Duration 28:39
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The sixth episode of season 4 is "The Business of Automation: Building Trust, Value, and Growth". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses with special guest, Eugen Goidenko. Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The fifth episode of season 4 is "The Role of IoT and Data in Automation: Enabling Smarter and More Connected Systems". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Ben Hope, as he discusses with special guest, Spandan Kale.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
00:04 – Introduction
AI and Accountability
Season 4 · Episode 4
Thursday, September 4, 2025 • Duration 30:56
Welcome to Enabling Automation! The fourth episode of season 4 is "AI and Accountability – Navigating Legal Risk and Governance in AI and Automated Systems". Join our season 4 host for this episode, Sarita Dankner, as she discusses with special guests, Gord Raman and Christopher Green.
Listen to all episodes on the following platforms:
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
Timestamps
00:04 – Introduction
01:02 – What is the difference between governance and accountability in the context of an AI system?
09:18 - Solving the challenges of a new technology
11:56 - When SuperTrak almost seemed impossible
13:03 - The moment SuperTrak proved it could work
14:11 - From software development to product management
16:18 - The difference between engineering and product thinking
17:26 - What separates a successful project from a successful product
18:30 - Commercialization and learning to listen to customers
18:52 - Moving into technical sales
20:00 - Why listening matters more than technical expertise
21:13 - How automation has changed over 30 years
21:33 - How experience becomes perspective
22:42 - Mistakes the industry continues to repeat
23:15 - When to push an idea—and when to let it go
23:55 - How risk changes throughout your career 24:40 - What younger engineers tend to underestimate
25:02 - What experienced engineers can learn from younger engineers
25:31 - One company, many careers
26:28 - Advice for the next generation of engineers
26:49 - Closing reflections
#enablingautomation #automation #podcast
01:31 – Lesson #1 01:48 – The start of SuperTrak
02:52 – SuperTrak team members highlight
05:13 – Cycle timing and shuttle performance
06:16 – The first version of TrakMaster
06:48 – First systems launched
07:29 – Static brush
08:11 – Lesson #2
08:17 – Lesson #3
08:25 – Gen 2
09:03 – Gen 3
13:38 – Lesson #4
14:19 – Thank you & Closing
#enablingautomation #automation #podcast
Timestamps
00:04 – Introduction
01:30 – Why are partnerships becoming more important in manufacturing today compared to the past?
03:04 – Do you think these kinds of partnerships help machine builders reduce risk when adopting new technologies?
03:50 – Do you think these partnerships will allow companies to stay focused on what they do best while still delivering complete machine solutions?
05:29 – From Siemens’ perspective, what made SuperTrak a strong fit for deeper integration into Simens automation environment?
06:13 – When we look at machine builders and when we talk about integration and real integration, what does that mean in practical terms from their perspective? Is it engineering, commissioning, long-term support? What is it and how does this partnership help?
09:05 – From the machine builder’s point of view, what kinds of everyday challenges does this kind of integration help remove?
09:57 – How does a company know when partnering makes more sense than trying to build something internally?
11:01 – What kind of misalignment causes partnerships to struggle or fail?
12:49 – How important is it that both partners are hearing the same feedback from machine builders and end users?
13:46 – What must happen behind the scenes for partnerships to work, day to day?
16:25 – How does this help with joint problem solving and helping the customers?
16:43 – How do partnerships help companies reach machine builders and markets they might not reach on their own?
18:13 – Is there an influence on how machine builders are picking the kinds of technologies that they’re going to use it in kind of long-term thinking?
19:32 – Does this help innovation happen more easily?
01:14 – Do you agree or disagree that achieving an AI transformation that is successful is more about strategic leadership than just implementing new technologies?
02:30 – What does the focus need to be to keep everyone in tune with the right goals and outcomes?
03:14 – Is it more about leadership than just the technology?
04:16 – What do you think leaders need to do to make change feel more purposeful rather than disruptive?
05:06 – What did you have to learn or unlearn as a leader when AI entered the picture?
06:40 – Were there any hard truths you had to acknowledge?
07:23 – Has your leadership style evolving to enable AI transformations?
09:08 – Any wrong turns along the way that taught you more about leading through uncertainty?
10:13 – How do you manage the tension between moving through an AI transformation quickly while still considering good governance and responsibility?
13:33 – When trust in AI is fragile, what does leadership need to do differ...
00:04 – Introduction
00:52 – What went through your mind when you first learned you were receiving a lifetime achievement award?
01:22 – Do you feel “a vision for automation” captures your journey?
03:15 – What were the critical turning points that changed the direction of your career? 05:20 – Where is automation heading?
07:45 – Where are there gaps between was is possible and what is implemented?
10:23 – What did the article get right about your philosophy? Is there anything to add or clarify?
12:44 – How has the role of data changes in manufacturing?
14:51 – Where do you see the value in AI? Where is it overhyped?
17:45 – What’s the smartest first step for companies looking to start their modernization journey?
19:47 – What have you learned about change mindset?
21:25 – How can companies bridge the tension between OT and IT?
24:37 – What advice do you have for young engineers and leaders entering the field today?
26:02 – What developments in automation over the next 5 to 10 years excite you the most?
29:08 – Is there a technology or idea that’s underrated right now?
22:04 – How to address fears about job displacement or skill obsolescence
In this monthly podcast series, join industry leaders from across ATS as they share and discuss the latest industry trends, new innovations, and more! ATS is an industry-leading automation solutions provider to many of the world's most successful companies.
