CONFERENCE SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Sina Afrooze

CEO & Co-Founder
Apera AI

Sina is a technical entrepreneur in artificial intelligence, machine learning and systems engineering, with more than 20 years of experience. He was a founding engineer at Avigilon, an innovator in the surveillance market acquired by Motorola for U.S.$1.2 billion. He was then a major contributor to the SageMaker Reinforcement Learning service used to train AI for robotic simulation at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He holds 10 patents in the fields of AI, digital imaging, image processing, and media streaming. Sina holds a Bachelor of Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University.

Session(s):

Deploying AI to Retrofit Manual and Vision-Guided Robotic Processes in the Automotive Industry | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Gretchen Alper

Business Director
AT - Automation Technology, Inc.

Gretchen Alper is the Business Director for the new North American subsidiary of AT-Automation Technology. With two decades of experience in metrology and vision applications, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her primary responsibilities include promoting AT's innovative products within the North American market and providing support to local customers.

Gretchen is dedicated to collaborating with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enhance their measurement accuracy and throughput. This underscores her commitment to advancing technology and helping businesses achieve greater efficiency and precision in their operations. Her extensive background in metrology and vision applications positions her well to lead AT-Automation Technology's efforts in North America and contribute to the success of the company's customers in the region.

Session(s):

Revolutionizing Industrial Metrology: How Advanced 3D Laser Sensors Are Changing the Game | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

James Anderson

Digital Business Consultant - Vision and Quality Control
SICK

Jim has been working in the automation industry for over 20 years with the last 15 concentrating on machine vision.  He has worked in many different phases of the application cycle.  In the earlier years he worked as an application specialist helping companies use 3d technology to solve some of their more difficult applications.   He then moved into the product manager role and helped bring many imaging based products to the market in both the machine vision and the industrial code reading sections of the business.  Over the last handful of years he has worked on the end-to-end project delivery that many customers are looking for in the imaging segment of automation especially in the area of vision guided robotics, with applications ranging from bin picking to navigation.  Jim has also been an active member of the A3 and has presented information about 3D vision at shows and conferences including the CVP program.  He has also served as a member of the Automate trade show committee since it transitioned from the Robot and Vision show years ago.  Jim also brings a unique perspective to the board as he and the SICK organization are members of all three of original groups of the A3, AIA,RIA and the MCMA.

Session(s):

3D Vision System Development | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Kence Anderson

CEO & Co-Founder
Composabl, Inc.

Kence Anderson teaches Autonomous AI design and consults enterprises on how to build their autonomous systems organizations and practices. He was previously director of Autonomous AI Adoption at Microsoft. Kence has pioneered uses for Autonomous AI in industry and designed over 150 autonomous decision-making AI systems for large enterprises.

Session(s):

Introduction to Industrial AI for Automation | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM
Designing Autonomous AI Agents (Laptop recommended for attendees) | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Juan Luis Aparicio Ojea

CEO
Reshape Automation

Juan is a robotics and automation enthusiast on a mission to scale and democratize access to robotics technology in manufacturing and beyond. During his career he has brought together the worlds of Industrial Automation, Robotics, and AI with his work featured in the New York Times, MIT Tech Review, Wired, Forbes, TheRobotReport, and other media outlets. Juan is the founder and CEO of Reshape Automation, a company that is directly targeting the labor shortage in manufacturing with an innovative approach to design, deploy and support industrial automation and robotics cells. Before that, he was the VP of product at Rapid Robotics, a Robotics as a Service startup where Rapid Machine Operators (RMOs) could be hired by subscription. Prior to Rapid, Juan was the VP of Product at Ready Robotics, where he launched Forge/OS 5, an award-winning industrial platform for robots and automation. Before that, Juan was the Head of Advanced Manufacturing Automation for Siemens, where he led a top team of researchers and engineers in Berkeley, California, working elbow-to-elbow with renowned academic partners. Juan is a Technical Advisor for the Advanced Robotic in Manufacturing (ARM), a member of A3’s AI Tech Strategy Board, and a Skydeck advisor. In 2019, he was awarded the MIT Tech Review Innovator under 35 Europe in the Pioneer category. In 2020, he was awarded Siemens Inventor of the year and the prestigious Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award.

Session(s):

The Generative AI in Automation: Automating the Tasks That You Least Expect! | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

David Bader

VP of Business Development
Eurotech

Dave Bader is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in robotics and automation. As a Vice President of Business Development at Eurotech, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a distinguished career history that spans across leading organizations in the industry. Dave has been instrumental in several automation revolutions, including the evangelism of Artificial Intelligence at the Edge, Industrial IoT, and Autonomous Mobile Robotics for industrial and warehouse applications.

In addition to his numerous leadership roles, Dave has made a significant impact by actively helping customers understand and address ever-evolving cybersecurity risks. With his unique ability to convey highly technical solutions, he bridges the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support and guidance in navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity. Dave is excited to lend his considerable expertise to inform next-generation technologies and solutions.

Session(s):

Designing for Tomorrow’s Cybersecurity Challenges | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Dan Bagley

Founder & Principal
StrategicInk - BBML

Dan Bagley is the Founder & Principal for Strategic Ink. His body of work includes development and application of super-hard materials, hydraulics, automation, cutting tools and engineered software. He has 8 patents, and several pending with clients in advanced metal cutting, friction materials, and operator assistance technology. He is also the founder of B&B Management Labs, LLC and former chairman of Cepstral Voice Technologies, and the inventor the Athena digital assistant. Dan is a veteran US Navy Nuclear Power instructor, serving aboard fast attack submarines and nuclear prototype facilities. He has held Vice President of Sales and/or Marketing Positions with General Signal Pump Group, Bosch Fluid Power, and Sophus Berendsen USA. He was CEO of Unimerco USA, Chief Marketing Officer for Kennametal, and a Director in the Deloitte Consulting Manufacturing practice, based in Chicago. Dan is active in the National Fluid Power Association, AMT, Helicopter Assn Int'l, NBAA and Water Environmental Federation, among others. He has worked globally for many years, in more than 75 countries.

Session(s):

Digital Fluid Power – Advances & Controls in Hydraulics & Pneumatics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Suprateek Banerjee

Head of Standardization, Robotics and Automation
VDMA e.V.

Dr. Suprateek Banerjee is the Head of OPC UA and I 4.0 at VDMA’s Robotics and Automation (R+A) Sector Group. He is responsible for the development of OPC UA Companion Specifications for the Robotics and Automation industry sector which include OPC UA for Robotics, Machine Vision and Industrial Joining Technologies among others. He represents VDMA R+A in various Industry 4.0 harmonization activities, both within the VDMA and at the OPC Foundation level, developing standards and best practices for seamless interoperability between machines from different sectors of the automation industry. Prior to joining the VDMA, Dr. Banerjee completed his Masters in Embedded Systems from the University of Stuttgart in Germany and thereafter has been a Marie Curie Fellow and has completed his PhD in the field of Industry 4.0 at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.

Session(s):

Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Arye Barnehama

CEO
Elementary

Arye Barnehama, a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree from 2020’s manufacturing and industry list, is the CEO of Elementary, which is developing a new generation of quality vision inspection that uses visual AI and machine learning to automate the inspection of products for defects or other problems in manufacturing.

Session(s):

Advances in AI-Powered Machine Vision Inspection | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Dan Barrera

Sales Product Manager
Bosch Rexroth

Dan is a passionate and experienced industrial leader in automation solutions, Internet of Things (IoT), digital twin, AI, communication and their application in industrial manufacturing. He has extensive experience in product management, project management, industrial automation solutions, marketing, business development, digital business transformation and strong management/leadership skills.

Session(s):

Digital Fluid Power – Advances & Controls in Hydraulics & Pneumatics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Billy Beane

Former Executive Vice President of the Oakland Athletics

Billy Beane, now senior adviser to Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher, has molded the team into one of baseball’s most consistent winners since taking over as General Manager following the 1997 season. Eventually rising to the role of Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Beane shattered traditional MLB beliefs that high payrolls equated wins by implementing a data-driven methodology that led the Oakland A’s, with one of the lowest payrolls, to 7 AL Western Division titles and 10 playoff appearances. That strategic methodology has come to be known as the “Moneyball” philosophy, named for the best-selling book and Oscar-nominated film chronicling Beane’s journey from General Manager to hero to celebrated management genius. Beane is a four-time Major League Baseball "Executive of the Year" award winner and was named by Forbes as one of the "100 Greatest Living Business Minds."

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Session(s):

Moneyball: Lessons for Life and Business from Baseball’s Best General Manager | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Ronnie Belcher

Product Training Engineer
Yaskawa America

With a degree in Electrical Engineering from ITT Technical Institute, Ronnie Belcher has been with Yaskawa America since 2012. Ronnie started out in the Drives Technical Support Engineer Group at Yaskawqa America. After 5 years he transitioned to the Motion Group Division as a technical support engineer and now works in the Motion Product Training Division as a Trainer. He has worked closely with the other trainers and product engineering groups to update current classes and create new eLearning videos. In his free time, Ronnie enjoys the outdoors on his electric longboard and boating.

Session(s):

Digital Servo Amplifier Basics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Matt Berch

Sr. Account Manager
Gudel Inc.

This presentation will be offered by Sr. Account Manager – Midwest, Matt Berch. Matt has Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University. He has worked for Gudel since 2013 and previously worked for Stanley Engineered Fastening in weld systems. He has a tremendous amount of experience in the robotics industry and is an expert in linear motion solutions including robot trackmotion, multi-axis gantries and custom design equipment.

Session(s):

Expanding Your Reach - Extending the Work Envelope for 6-axis Robots | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Robert Bollinger

Owner
Dynamic Horizons Automation Solutions LLC

Bob has over 35 years of experience in the creative application of robotics, collaborative robotics, mobile robotics, and automation technology to solve challenging problems and create business opportunity. Prior to founding Dynamic Horizons, Bob was a Technical Director for Applied Robotics Innovation at Procter & Gamble. There he identified new and innovative robotic technologies to leverage throughout the company. He was also responsible for setting technical direction and deploying global standard approaches for robotics within P&G. Bob is also an active member of several safety standards committees, including industrial robot standards RIA R15.06 the industrial mobile robot standard RIA R15.08.

Session(s):

Getting Started with Mobile Robotics | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM
Introduction to Mobile Robot Risk Assessment | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Bill Boucher

Partner
WIPFLI

Bill Boucher currently serves as Wipfli’s Manufacturing, Retail and Distribution Leader. In that role, he oversees a team of over 100 partners nationally who provide audit, tax and consulting services to businesses and individuals. Bill’s role is primarily focused on organic and M&A growth, increasing Wipfli’s awareness and value to clients and prospects.

With over 25 years of consulting experience, Bill’s expertise lies in working with business leaders to assess, improve, and scale business performance for his clients while aligning digital solutions to support growth and efficiency.

Session(s):

Manufacturer’s Back Office Intelligent Automation Creates Labor Efficiencies | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Collin Bristow

Territory Manager
LMI Technologies

Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Collin Bristow is the Territory Manager for Central and Eastern Canada for LMI Technologies. Collin has more than 10 years of experience providing hardware and software measurement solutions to a wide range of industries. Collin’s specialties include 2D and 3D vision solutions, image processing software and AI and Deep Learning.

Session(s):

The Fusion of 3D Vision and AI in Inspecting Robotic Welds: A Paradigm Shift in Quality Control | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Robert Brodecki

Application Portfolio Manager
KUKA Robotics Corp

With more than 6 years' experience in the industry, from small to large automation companies, I have experience with automation applications in industries ranging from food & beverage to metals & machining and many in between.  I've primarily held sales or business development and product management roles, with KUKA and Mitsubishi Electric Automation.  I particularly enjoy working with new technologies and partners to help manufacturers improve their processes and production.

Session(s):

Ecosystems - Unlocking Solutions via Partnerships | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 10:00 AM

David Bruce

Engineering Manager
FANUC America

Dave Bruce joined FANUC America Corporation (FAC) in 1997 and is currently an engineering manager in the General Industry & Automotive Segment for a group of engineers that support FANUC Robot integrators and end users with the application of FANUC’s fully integrated intelligent products. These intelligent products make it very easy for FANUC Robots to use machine vision (iRVision) and/or 6-Axis force control as part of any intelligent robotic system. He has a Master’s in Computer Science from Oakland University (Auburn Hills, MI) and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario).

Session(s):

Advanced Vision Guided Robotics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Lacey Brugier

Key Account Sales Manager
Agilox

Lacey is a key account sales manager and business development representative for Agilox North America with a background in chemical engineering. She has been with Agilox 1.5 years and covers accounts mostly within the southeast states.

Session(s):

Robots Unleashed: Why AMRs Are on the Rise and How AI Will Further Disrupt Production Logistics | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Greg Buell

Staff Engineer - General Industry and Automotive Segment
FANUC America Corporation

Greg Buell has over 20 years of experience in the automation industry. His specialties include automating machine tending applications, collaborative robotics operation and safety specifications, robot path teaching and vision, high speed picking/packing application, software and control logic architecture, troubleshooting, as well as training development and execution.

Since 2021, Greg has been responsible for supporting and bringing FANUC's Quick & Simple Startup of Robotization (QSSR) product to the US market. QSSR enables automation of machine tending by integrating FANUC robots and FANUC CNCs with a quick and single ethernet connection paired with simple software configuration. In order to stay viable in the US manufacturing market given the worker shortages being seen across the country, companies need to automate their machinery.

Session(s):

Bridging the Gap: The Link Between Automation and Machine Tools | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 11:00 AM

Utku Buyuksahin

President & CTO
Sensobright Industries LLC

Prof. Dr. Utku Buyuksahin, who holds over 180 internationally granted patents, is the founder & CTO of Sensobright, a tactile sensing technology company which has engineered the world’s tiniest tactile sensors (over 300 receptors per 1 square centimeter). 

Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin’s innovations at Sensobright (over 140 international granted patents about tactile sensing technologies) provide robots with a sense of touch more powerful than human touch sensing abilities and can greatly enhance robotic manipulation/gripping, safety/surrounding sensing, and multidimensional touch data gathering. Applications include Automotive, MedTech, Robotics, Industrial Automation, and Consumer Electronics. 

As a decorated engineer he owns a B.S. M.Sc. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and B.S. in business administration. His expertise is in but is not limited to robotics, sensors, image processing, motion control, and neuromodulation. 

Prof. Dr. Buyuksahin's dedication to making a positive impact on society and his unwavering commitment to advancing technology have earned him respect both professionally and personally. In 2019, he was selected as one of the top 25 scientists across the globe by Falling Walls Foundation, which has the President of Nobel Foundation among its board members. Recently he was selected to the lists of “Most Influential Leaders to Follow in 2023”, “World’s Most Technophile Leaders to Watch in 2023”, “The 10 Smartest Personalities in the Robotics Industry, 2023” and has been honored as the cover face of many prestigious technology and business magazines. 

He also actively engages in music to stimulate his mind and fuel his imagination. He is both a music enthusiast and a skilled musician. He plays over 10 instruments and has been composing/playing/recording/arranging advertisement music for television channels for many years.

Session(s):

Emerging Tactile Sensing Technology Solving the Challenges in Robot & Cobot Safety | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Jeff Cardenas

Co-founder and CEO
Apptronik

Jeff Cardenas is co-founder and CEO of Apptronik and specializes in new product development and go-to-market strategy. Cardenas received his Master of Science in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin. He previously worked in the Global Commercialization Group at the IC2 Institute at UT Austin, working with innovators from around the globe to take innovations out of the research lab and into the market. Cardenas holds an undergraduate Business degree from UT and worked in the technology practice of Deloitte Consulting. He previously founded several startups and a nonprofit. Cardenas has a passion for entrepreneurship and using technology to solve social issues and improve the world.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robots: The Next Wave of Versatile Automation | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Rebecca Charboneau

Optical Engineer
Edmund Optics

Rebecca Charboneau joined Edmund Optics in 2021 and is part of the Engineering Leadership Program. Currently, she works with the Imaging Business Unit and is focused on developing a strategy for Edmund Optics’ microscopy portfolio. Rebecca holds an MS and BS in Biomedical Engineering from Rowan University.

Session(s):

Discovering the Key Factors in Microscope Objective Performance | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Romik Chatterjee

VP Business Development
Graftek Imaging

Romik Chatterjee has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Electrical Engineering. He has been involved in the development of new scientific imaging methods and technologies for over two decades. His research started with the visualization of density fluctuations that occur in magnetically confined fusion plasmas with an infrared laser based imaging system. He has experience developing imaging systems using microwaves, visible and infrared light, and x-rays. As the Vice President of Business Development at Graftek Imaging for the last 13 years, he has led a team of engineers in development of custom machine vision systems for Fortune 50 companies that have been deployed worldwide. Graftek has specialized in color measurements, metrology and automated inspection systems for semiconductor, electronic manufacturing and food industries.

Session(s):

Advanced Color Machine Vision & Applications | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:00 PM

Roger Christian

Divisional Leader, New Business Development
Yaskawa America Inc., Motoman Robotics Div.

Roger Christian started his robotics career at Bendix Robotics in 1982 as a Mechanical Engineer and has spent the past 34 years working for Yaskawa America Inc., Motoman Robotics Div. https://www.motoman.com. His current role as Divisional Leader of New Business Development is to recommend focused strategic investment, product development and/or new market penetration to insure mid to long term growth by studying broad market needs and trends and then developing commercial strategies for the Company.

Roger currently serves on the Technology Advisory Committee for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute http://arminstitute.org/, is an active member of the ROS Industrial Consortium https://rosindustrial.org/ and leads his division’s participation in Yaskawa’s venture capital fund.

Session(s):

Strategies for Making Advanced Robotic Manufacturing Technology Accessible to System Integrators and End Users | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Gina Chung

Vice President, Corporate Development
Locus Robotics

As Vice President of Corporate Development, Gina is responsible for shaping Locus’ end-to-end automation strategy and driving growth through strategic partnerships and initiatives. She leverages over a decade of global experience in the logistics sector, applying her unique blend of innovation, business, and operations skills to advance Locus’s vision. Prior to this role, Gina was Vice President of Innovation at DHL where she launched their most advanced Innovation Center located in Chicago. In this capacity, she worked closely with DHL’s top 100 customers and startups to evaluate and implement a broad range of automation technologies in post, parcel, forwarding, and 3PL operations. Her leadership also extended to DHL’s global research endeavors, where she directed the industry-acclaimed Logistics Trend Radar series. Hailing from New Zealand, Gina is a staunch advocate of using technology to improve the world around us.

Session(s):

AI in the Warehouse: What You Really Need to Know | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Jacob Cipriano

Business Development
Manufacturing Automation Systems LLC

With 19 years experience in robotic automation for manufactures ranging from the complexities of the aerospace industry, to the harsh environments of foundry, Jake has experienced many of industries needs to "level-up" American manufacturing with intelligent automation.

As business development and product manager for Manufacturing Automation Systems, Jake is focused on advancing manufacturing through intelligent manufacturing software QCPlus Core. Jake believes that the key to enabling higher-level automation is with advanced 3D vision systems and software capable of closing feedback loop of measurements and defect inspection with adaptive robotic path planning.

Session(s):

Strategies for Making Advanced Robotic Manufacturing Technology Accessible to System Integrators and End Users | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Josh Cloer

Director of Sales
Mujin

Speaker biography coming soon. 

Session(s):

Simplifying Robotics: True No-Code Programming | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Robb Colbrunn

Director, BioRobotics Lab, Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic

Robb received a B.S.M.E. in 1996 from Grove City College, a M.S.M.E. in 2000 from Case Western Reserve University, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 2013 from Cleveland State University. Along the way he worked in both academia and industry developing test systems for the automotive industry, creating control systems for unique robotic actuators, performing system integration of International Space Station experiments for NASA, and designing & manufacturing novel medical devices. He was recruited by the Cleveland Clinic in 2005 to launch the BioRobotics Core. His area of research interest lies where medicine and robotics intersect; both currently and in the future. Much of the research he has done is in the realm of orthopaedic biomechanics using robotic testing methodologies, but is not limited to a single joint or anatomical region. This technology is now being applied in manufacturing settings as well. This broad perspective has given him a unique view and cross-disciplinary knowledge in the field. Robotics are becoming more and more common in today’s world and the potential applications are limitless. He is motivated by having the ability to harness those technologies and apply them in ways to ultimately help patients and workers.

Session(s):

Robotic Force Control: Applications from Medicine to Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Del Costy

President and Managing Director
Siemens Digital Industries

Del Costy serves as Managing Director, Americas for Siemens Digital Industries Software and President of Digital Industries (software and automation) in the U.S. In this role, Del is responsible for leading all of Digital Industries U.S. Go-To-Market in addition to serving as the head of the Americas Zone Sales & Customer Success for Digital Industries Software.

Del’s unique experience brings together the power of Siemens automation and software businesses, delivering solutions for agility, efficiency and new business value to companies across the U.S. and the Americas. This includes championing Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and its integrated software and application tools tailored to meet customers’ specific needs as they pursue digital transformation.

Before his current role, Del was the U.S. Country Manager, responsible for operations in Siemens Digital Industries Software’s largest revenue country. He has also held leadership positions in several vertical businesses focused on automotive, transportation & heavy equipment solutions.    

Prior to joining Siemens, Del spent a decade in the automotive supplier community supporting vehicle programs in both product development and manufacturing. In addition to his management experience, he has served as a Technical Sales Engineer for Abex Friction Products, now a division of Federal Mogul, and provided manufacturing consulting focused on the application of software tools to drive manufacturing plant optimization.  

Del holds a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University and received his Bachelor of Science in applied engineering sciences from Michigan State University. He also serves on the board for SAE ITC.

Del and his wife, Suha, reside in Northville, Michigan, with their son Dominic.  

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Session(s):

Expect More From Your Automation: Transforming U.S. Manufacturing | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Brian Coyne

VP of Engineering
Harmonic Drive LLC

Brian Coyne is the VP of Engineering at Harmonic Drive LLC. Thanks to his knowledge and expertise in mechatronics, Harmonic Drive LLC developed and launched a line of actuators with integrated servo drives. He attended Tufts University where he developed his appreciation and understanding for custom machine design and processes.

Session(s):

Development of A Low Profile, Power Dense Actuator to Meet the Demands of Current Robot Designs | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Adam Crandall

Chief Revenue Officer
Addtronics

Adam Crandall has a successful track record building high-performing teams and leading new commercial initiatives. In his role at Addtronics, he will continue to build and lead sales, marketing, and applications teams, while also driving revenue growth. Previously, Mr. Crandall served in various senior leadership positions at VWR International (now Avantor), Refraction Technologies Corporation, Micro Instrument Corporation, and Dynamic Design Solutions. He has also led all areas of new business development, including monitoring market trends, acquiring new customers, and implementing robust sales and marketing strategies. As a former member of the World Leaders Group and current member of Vistage Worldwide, Mr. Crandall is dedicated to refining his craft in order to further empower his team and find new ways to give back to others around him. With 6 years in the automation space and more within manufacturing, Mr. Crandall has a vast knowledge and extreme passion for innovation in the manufacturing industry.

Session(s):

An Introduction to Automation: Working with Systems Integrators | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Ken Crawford

Senior Director of Automation Sales Network
Weidmuller

With 25+ years of experience working in the automation industry, Kenneth Crawford has quickly become a leader in the field of Industrial Automation Intelligence. Ken graduated with a BSEE from Old Dominion University and an MBA from The University of Richmond. Ken led many IoT and Automation teams at General Electric before becoming the Dir. of Automation at Weidmuller USA, where he currently leads the Automation business. He is charged with growing the automation business through IIoT offerings and services, as well as assessing and meeting customer needs across a variety of industries for solutions leading to smarter manufacturing aal the way to AI-enabled solutions. An experienced and accomplished Engineer, Ken has over 150 design wins, 7+ patents, and multiple awards.

Session(s):

How to Simplify Your Industrial IoT Through an Open Ecosystem | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Justin Crump

Application Engineer, Large Accounts
Universal Robots

Justin Crump is a 14-year veteran of turnkey automation, having worked for a robot manufacturer, system integrator and vacuum end-effector producers. For the past 5 years with Universal Robots, Justin held various roles including application engineer and currently a Senior Application Engineer, Large Accounts. In his roles, he supports distributors, integrators and end-users find success with cobot deployments. He is based in North Carolina and supports the East Region.

Session(s):

Cobots in Machine Tending: How You Can Succeed with Deployment | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Drew Cunningham

Business Development Manager
AutoStore

Drew Cunningham has advised clients at every organizational level across the full gamut of industries. He brings a decade of experience specifying and deploying technology into manufacturing facilities and warehouses. After graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Texas, he began his career designing pipelines and O&G facilities before finding his calling in industrial automation.

He currently leads AutoStore’s Industrial Division in North America, its largest vertical worldwide. AutoStore systems are installed at over 1,200 sites globally. Drew’s primary aim is to be a resource for leaders who want to explore automation to maximize space and labor utilization.

Session(s):

Unlock Your Facility’s Potential with Robotic Storage | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Beatrice Danese

Product Manager
Opto Engineering

Beatrice Danese is a product manager at Opto Engineering® Headquarters.

She graduated in linguistic mediation with a major in marketing, public relations and advertising in 2019 and in international communication for enterprises and organizations in 2021, while already interning at Opto Engineering.

Since 2022, she has started giving speeches at international events in the field of machine vision.

Session(s):

Special Lenses for Top and Side Inspection with Just One Camera: Advantages vs. Multi-camera Systems and Latest Innovations | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Eric Danziger

CEO & Co-Founder
Invisible AI

Eric Danziger is the CEO and Co-Founder of Invisible AI. After serving in the US Army for nearly a decade, Eric studied computer vision at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. He then moved to Silicon Valley and worked at several startups before joining the self-driving race at Luminar Technologies. As the Director of Software Engineering, he led a team of over 30 engineers working on some of the hardest problems in autonomous driving. In 2018, he founded Invisible AI to bring state-of-the-art technology from self-driving to industrial applications, blending his military experience and technical knowledge to help companies streamline operations.

Session(s):

Demystifying AI: Tangible Solutions for Today's Manufacturing Challenges | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Georgy Das

Director of Systems & Training
Midwest Optical Systems

Georgy Das is the Technical Training Manager at Midwest Optical Systems. He has delivered countless presentations and training sessions all over the globe. He loves to figure out simple solutions to complex problems and is always tracking the latest trends in both machine vision and the technology landscape as a whole.

Session(s):

Protect and Enhance Your Imaging System with Optical Filters | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

James Davidson

Chief Architect
MiR

Dr. James Davidson is the Chief Architect at Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), where he oversees the development of the company's next-generation products. With a focus on the intersection of robotics and artificial intelligence, his career has spanned over 20 years. Dr. Davidson's expertise in this field began with his doctoral work at the University of Illinois, where he specialized in reinforcement learning applied to robotics. He went on to co-found two successful startups, serving as CEO of Talos Robotics and CTO of Third Wave, as well as holding research leadership positions at Google Brain Robotics and the MITRE Corporation. Throughout his career, Dr. Davidson has contributed to a broad range of AI topics and research publications. He has experience working with terrestrial and space robots, having worked on satellites at Sandia National Laboratories early in his career. However, he has yet to work with underwater robots, which he plans to remedy by building a submersible robot with his two kids.

Session(s):

Cutting Through the Hype: An Overview on How to Evaluate AI Solutions for Industrial Applications | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Evaldo de Oliveira

VP of Business Development
FairCom

Evaldo has more than 20 years of IT experience in both the sales and technology. He's worked with enterprise software, hardware infrastructure, cloud and edge data management, databases, and digital transformation.

Session(s):

Edge Computing and Manufacturing: Use Cases and Practical Examples of Industrial IoT | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 11:00 AM

David Dechow

Industrial Factory Solutions Architect
Motion AI

David L. Dechow is an engineer, programmer, and technologist specializing in the integration of machine vision, robotics, and other automation technologies. Mr. Dechow is Industrial Factory Solutions Architect for MOTION AI located at their North Carolina office and has had a long career in the automation industry.

Mr. Dechow is a recipient of the A3 Automated Imaging Achievement Award, is a member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) Imaging Technology Strategy Board and is contributing editor for Vision Systems Design magazine.

As a key educator within the machine vision industry, Mr. Dechow has participated in the training of hundreds of engineers as an instructor with the A3 Certified Vision Professional program. He also is well known for his frequent informative technical articles, papers, webinars, and conference sessions and classes covering a wide range of technical topics involving machine vision and enabling technologies in industrial automation.

Session(s):

The Fundamentals of Machine Vision | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM
Automation Solutions and Machine Vision – Keys to Reducing Risk and Ensuring Success | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM
Vision System Design | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:30 AM
Advanced Vision System Integration | Friday, May 10, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Dale Deering

Senior Director, Business Development
Teledyne

Dale Deering is the Senior Director for Business Development at Teledyne Imaging, responsible for oversight of product and business development for all machine vision camera products. Dale has worked in the field of machine vision for over 25 years in both development and business leadership roles, and has extensive experience with line-scan use for many high speed and novel imaging applications. His in-depth knowledge of application requirements and key performance factors combined with technical innovation have produced a succession of imaging products with industry leading performance and strong global demand.

In this course you learn about Line-scan imaging, and how using a scanning technique can be beneficial for efficient image capture of moving objects. While line-scan imaging enables some of the simplest applications, it also facilitates the highest resolution, highest performance applications on the planet (or off planet) due to its ability to rapidly capture image data and stream it for sequential processing. Topics cover components for line-scan image acquisition, when to use line-scan, factors that impact image capture, how to achieve optimum results, and trends in the industry. When you complete this course, you will be able to recognize candidate applications for line-scan imaging and understand how to develop and implement line-scan solutions.

Session(s):

Designing Linescan Vision Systems | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Michael DeGrace

UR+ Ecosystem Manager
Universal Robots

Michael DeGrace graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering and is an experienced sales engineer with proficiency in manufacturing, components, and collaborative robots. Michael started at Universal Robots as a Channel Development Manager in 2018 and is now a Universal Robots Plus Ecosystem Manager.

Session(s):

Emerging Trends in Collaborative Automation | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Paul DeWys

Sales Engineer
Forerunner 3D Printing

I am a sales guy trapped in the body of an engineer who ended up in marketing, hence, my role as a Sales Engineer! I love to work with companies and customers to help educate them about what is possible when you combine 3D laser scanning to capture a part, mechanical engineering expertise to modify it as needed, and a wide variety of additive manufacturing equipment to help either prototype it or in some cases produce end use parts.

Session(s):

Design For Additive Manufacturing: By A Machine Designer For Machine Builders | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Jacob Dison

Technical Specialist II
Mayo Clinic

Jacob Dison is the technical lead for autonomous mobile robots and related technologies at Mayo Clinic, where he leverages his diverse background in IT and OT to oversee the technical design and implementation of robotic solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Jacob also plays a key role in the establishment of enterprise governance, architecture, and review processes for robotic solutions.

Jacob joined Mayo Clinic in 2011 and has held a variety of roles related to product support, software development, systems architecture, and currently serves as an architecture board chair. Throughout his career Jacob has gained broad insight into healthcare technology, enterprise governance, information security, and regulatory compliance.

Before joining Mayo Clinic, Jacob spent 12 years as a plant maintenance manager, where he managed and maintained a wide range of operational technologies and infrastructure. He gained valuable experience in automation, optimization, and reliability engineering, which he applies to his current role. Jacob holds a Master’s of Computer Science from the University of Minnesota.

Session(s):

Autonomous Mobile Robots in Healthcare | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Hope Dollarhide

Project Engineer
FANUC America

Hope Dollarhide is a Project Engineer with FANUC America Corporation positioned in the Automotive Component and General Industrial Paint Group. Her background includes a B.S. in Robotics Engineering from Lawrence Technological University and 4 years of experience in the Finishing and Coating industry. Those 4 years have included marketing/sales technical support as well as robot integrator liaison. She has field experience installing large scale robotic systems into Paint Shops from large class 8 trucks plants to single robots in small job shops.

Session(s):

Learn How the Latest Cobot Technologies can Optimize Any Production Process | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Boris Duché

Product Manager
IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH

Boris Duché holds a position of Product Manager at IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH. He is an experimented sales oriented engineer with deep knowledge in camera technologies including 3D sensors.

Session(s):

Which 3D Imaging Technique Is Right for You? | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Heiko Eisele

President
MVTec USA

Heiko Eisele is the President of MVTec's subsidiary in the USA and responsible for sales, technical support, managing the North American network of distributors and integration partners as well as general business development.  Heiko joined MVTec in 2003 as an Application Engineer. He provided technical support to MVTec's worldwide distribution network, conducted product trainings for customers and distributors and implemented solutions for customers based on MVTec's HALCON software.  Bevor joining MVTec Heiko was a PhD student at Robert Bosch GmbH. There he developed software algorithms and applications for the automated analysis of X-Ray CT images. Heiko received his PhD from the University of Heidelberg in 2002.  Heiko has more than 20 years of experience in the machine vision industry.

Session(s):

Image Processing Fundamentals | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Martin H. Ettenberg

CEO/President
Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc.

Dr. Ettenberg is currently the CEO, board member, and founder of Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc., a company dedicated to commercialization of NIR/SWIR detection technologies. They have been in business for 10 years and have several award-winning products. He had been developing InGaAs detectors for over 25 years starting at Sensors Unlimited Inc./Goodrich Corporation. He led the development of the first night-vision-capable InGaAs camera, which was later commercialized as the SU320MX. In addition to fabricating larger focal plane arrays and more sensitive cameras he was instrumental in developing smaller cameras for robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles. His DARPA worked lead to his nomination in 2005 for the DARPA Significant Achievement Award. Dr. Martin H. Ettenberg graduated with a Masters and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Virginia Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering. He also received his BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University.

Session(s):

The Importance of Signal to Noise in SWIR Imaging: Why Is My SWIR Image Black? | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM
Non-Visible Imaging: Infrared Technology and Applications | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:30 AM

Paul Evans

Executive Director R&D
Southwest Research Institute

Paul Evans is the Executive Director of R&D for the Technology, Operations, Programs and Strategy (TOPS) Team within the Intelligent Systems business area at Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®). In his current role, Mr. Evans connects customers with expertise. His focus is on crosscutting applied research-based solutions for government and industry and providing customer connections to SwRI capabilities and resources. Focus areas include robotics, artificial intelligence, intelligent transportation systems, and high reliability systems. He supported the formation of the ROS-Industrial open-source program, an extension of the Robot Operating System (ROS), that focused on enabling advanced applications for industrial robotics. Paul is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, serves on the Executive Council for the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, and is a member of the Stakeholder Executive Committee for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute.

Session(s):

Strategies for Making Advanced Robotic Manufacturing Technology Accessible to System Integrators and End Users | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Neil Farrow

Machine Vision Applications Engineer
Datasensing

Neil Farrow has over 8 years of machine vision experience. Previously he was involved in the design, startup and improvement of control systems for many years. Roles include consulting, systems integration, and process improvement. He is a Certified Vision Professional and licensed professional engineer. The most important and fun aspect of his current role as Applications Engineer at Datasensing, a division of Datalogic, is training of Machine Vision fundamentals.

Session(s):

Beginning Lighting for Machine Vision | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Carole Franklin

Director of Standards Development, Robotics
Association for Advancing Automation

Carole Franklin is the Director of Standards Development, Robotics, for the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). She leads A3’s standards development activities in developing the ANSI and ISO Robot Safety Standards. Before joining RIA, Carole spent over four years with management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where she led projects on business process improvement, internal communications, and executive communications. Prior to Booz Allen, Carole worked for Ford Motor Company for ten years in the market research department, where she led consumer research projects and tracking studies. Carole holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan.

Session(s):

Robotics Standards Update | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Philip Freidin

Applications Engineer
IDS Imaging Development Systems

Philip Freidin is an Applications Engineer at IDS Imaging Development Systems Inc. He currently supports customers that are developing machine vision solutions with IDS 2D, Ensenso 3D, and NXT embedded cameras. Throughout his 5 years at the company, Philip has helped integrate IDS cameras into applications such as bin picking, palletizing/depalletizing, logistics automation, quality assurance, and sports engineering. He holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Session(s):

The Fundamentals of Camera & Image Sensor Technology | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:00 PM

Michelle Frumkin

Senior Global Robotics Portfolio Manager
3M Company

Michelle Frumkin is a Senior Global Robotics Portfolio Manager for 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division. She is responsible for Marketing, New Business Models, Partnerships, and utilizing her consumer marketing background to share and help simplify the message that Robotic Abrasive Processing is Possible!

Michelle’s background includes 12 years at 3M split between industrial & consumer businesses including internal corporate strategy, new product innovation, marketing for Post-it® Notes, and her current role focused on Robotics & Automation for 3M Abrasive solutions. Prior to 3M, Michelle had her own photography business and worked in marketing and PR. She has an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a BS in Marketing from University of Arizona’s Eller School of Management.

Session(s):

No One Does It Alone: What It Takes to Make a Partnership Work in Robotic Abrasive Processing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Jeff Fryman

Principal Consultant
Association for Advancing Automation

Jeff Fryman is a retired United States Air Force officer. His 21-year career included eleven years’ experience as a Program Manager overseeing technical training programs.

For a second career, Jeff joined the Robotic Industries Association as their Director of Standards Development until his retirement in 2013. His 17-years at the RIA saw him responsible for the development of both the 1999 and 2012 editions of the ANSI/RIA R15.06 American National Standard for Industrial Robot Safety. He was also responsible for organizing the annual National Robot Safety Conference and numerous smaller safety events. In his roll at RIA, Jeff developed curricula for robot safety training, and taught hundreds of classes featuring the R15.06 methodology for conducting Risk Assessment. He also assisted in consulting on Risk Assessment and Robot Safety, and continues in his training roll with the association.

Internationally, Jeff was the Convener for ISO TC184/SC2 WG3, the committee responsible for developing the ISO 10218-1 and -2 International Standards for Industrial Robot Safety. Domestically, Jeff was the Vice-chair for the ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 committee; the standard for Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods. He has also been involved in other standards development efforts including the Canadian Standards Association committees for Robot Safety and Hazardous Energy Control; the Underwriters’ Laboratories Standards Technical Panel for UL1740 (robot safety); AMT and B11 Inc. ANSI Accredited Standards Committee for Safety of Machines – B11; and an advisor to the American Welding Society’s D16 committee for robotic welding.

Outside interests include all aspects of railroad operations. His model railroading activities include standards development and participation in regional and national events. And finally, Jeff never denies “going around in circles”; particularly when he is doing volunteer work for a railway museum where he is a qualified antique trolley operator.

Jeff resides in Saline, Michigan; outside of Ann Arbor.

Session(s):

Introduction to Robot Risk Assessment | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

David Galati

Chief Scientist
TITAN Robotics Inc

Dr. David G. Galati is a co-founder and the Chief Scientist at TITAN Robotics Inc. Over the past two decades, he has applied optimization techniques in high dimensional space to the practical commercialization of advanced robotics. He focuses on developing robotic systems that act intuitively to gain end users' trust. Dr. Galati’s work includes UAV's, UGV's, and Mobile Manipulators across a wide variety of applications in numerous domains. He specializes in Coverage Problems, Trajectory Generation, and Multi-robot Collaboration. After earning his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Electrical Engineering in 2004, he spent the next twelve years at Carnegie Mellon’s the National Robotics Engineering before moving on to TITAN Robotics. Dr. Galati is a US Patent holder and has built numerous award-winning systems.

Session(s):

From Funding to Impact: How ARM Institute Projects Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Sudhanshu Gaur

Vice President of R&D, Hitachi America and Chief Architect
Hitachi Astemo Americas

Sudhanshu, the Vice President of Hitachi America, leads the industrial Edge computing R&D program, fostering innovative solutions across various industry sectors. In tandem, he shapes the Industry 4.0 vision for digital transformation, covering the IT x OT technology stack across group companies like Astemo and Hitachi Rail. His work integrates emerging technologies such as 5G and Generative AI into manufacturing operations, enhancing efficiency and agility. His industry impact was recognized when he was named among the top 25 leaders by the SME in 2020.

Session(s):

Enabling Smart Factories with 5G-Driven Computer Vision – A Case Study | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Colm Gavin

Portfolio Development Manager
Siemens

Colm Gavin is Portfolio Development Manager for Siemens Digital Industries Software. With over 22 years at Siemens, he applies his experience in discrete manufacturing to help companies take advantage of new innovations with Industry 4.0.

Session(s):

Simulation and Virtual Commissioning for Discrete Production Systems | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Simone Gianotti

Application Engineer Manager
Elmo Motion Control Inc.

Simone Gianotti is an Application Engineer Manager at Elmo Motion Control. Before joining Elmo, he held numerous positions at Schneider Electric over an eleven-year period, mostly dealing with motion and safety. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Politecnico di Milano and received certification as a Functional Safety Specialist from TUV Nord Akademie in 2011.

Session(s):

Functional Safety | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Adam Gluck

Founder & CEO
Copia Automation

Adam Gluck was an early hire on Uber's driver engineering team and later was the founding engineer on Uber's engineering strategy team. At Uber, Adam worked on multiple rewrites of Uber's driver app, the processes to ship the driver app to millions of drivers each month, and helped redesign Uber's overall microservice architecture. He founded Copia to bring the same best practices that top-tier engineering organizations use to the fundamental technology that runs our economy.

Adam was recently recognized in Forbes 30 under 30 2022 in the category of Manufacturing and Industry.

Session(s):

Modern Backup Strategies to Minimize Risk and Maximize Efficiency | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Ed Goffin

Vice President, Product Marketing
Pleora Technologies

Ed joined Pleora in 2013 and is responsible for overseeing product and marketing strategies for our video connectivity portfolio and expansion into AI for manufacturing to ensure the company delivers the best solutions to our customers. Over his 25-year career, he has held media relations, marketing, and investor relations roles in the telecom and machine vision industries and has been widely featured as an event speaker and author on topics ranging from packet switching and network timing to real-time vision and AI solutions for automation and manufacturing.

Session(s):

Advances in AI-Powered Machine Vision Inspection | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Evan Gonnerman

Product Portfolio Manager
Concept Systems, Inc.

Evan Gonnerman is a robotics veteran devoted to pushing the boundaries of integrated technology in the advanced manufacturing space. With an academic background in mechanical engineering paired with 6+ years of industry experience in programming and commissioning high-speed, cutting-edge robotic solutions, Evan understands common pain points with full-solution robotics for manufacturers. During his career, Evan has acted at every level of solution development and deployment. 

As an applications engineer, he worked hand-in-hand with customers to bring their highly personalized robotic systems to life. 

As a lead mechanical and controls engineer, he designed high-speed, dynamic turnkey robotic work cells using Nachi, KUKA, FANUC, and custom servo-driven robots from the ground. 

In his current role as the Product Portfolio Manager at Concept Systems, Evan oversees a development team of software engineers, mechanical and electrical designers, and automation enthusiasts. With a suite of automation solutions ranging from off-the-shelf robotic paint systems to high-precision 6-degree of freedom advanced collision avoidance software, Evan’s product team is always pushing the bounds of the technological landscape is capable of.

Outside of work, Evan is married to his wife Hailey, is the father to his 2-year-old daughter Luna, and thrives in the Pacific Northwest camping, hiking, skiing, and generally adventuring.

Session(s):

Exploring Modularity in Robotics Work Cell Design | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Anatoli Gorchet

CTO
Neurala

Anatoli has over 20 years of experience developing massively parallel software for neural computation, he is a pioneer in applying general-purpose computing on graphics processing units to neural modeling. Anatoli has spoken at every major neural network conference as well as at GTC, DARPA, The National Institute for Aerospace and a keynote at the Embedded Systems Conference. He holds several patents, has authored over 30 publications on neural networks, and advises Fortune 500 companies on how to use AI to improve operational efficiencies. He has a PhD in Cognitive and Neural Systems, Boston University; an MS in Computer Science.

Session(s):

Living at the Edge: The Era of AI, Everywhere in the Production Floor | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Satyandra K. Gupta

Co-Founder & Chief Scientist
GrayMatter Robotics

Dr. Satyandra K. Gupta is a Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at GrayMatter Robotics. He also holds Smith International Professorship in the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California and serves as the founding director of the USC Viterbi Center for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as a program director for the National Robotics Initiative at the National Science Foundation from September 2012 to September 2014.  Dr. Gupta’s research interests are physics-informed artificial intelligence, computational foundations for decision-making, and human-centered robotics and automation. He has published more than four hundred technical articles in journals, conference proceedings, and edited books. He is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and the Solid Modeling Association (SMA). He serves as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute and a member of the National Materials and Manufacturing Board (NMMB).

Session(s):

Leveraging AI to Deliver Human-Centered Automation | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM
Enhanced Robotic Abrasive Methods Through Proper Abrasive Selection and AI Enabled Processing | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Michael Haas

Vice President
FerRobotics

Michael Haas has a sophisticated technical background in mechanical engineering completed with international sales skills. He is leading North American operations as VP of FerRobotics INC. With his extraordinary expertise, he is a regular speaker at events and supports the FerRobotics customer network in the automotive, aerospace, and general industries.

Since 2015 Michael is the FerRobotics US expert in sensitive automation. Prior to that, he worked as a leading sales expert and oversaw contract management and distributor development activities in the European, middle, and far east markets.

With offices in Phoenix and Chicago Michael has a strong commitment to the US, Canadian and Mexican markets. Michael serves currently as TAC member (Technical Advisory Committee) for the ARM institute and is a regular speaker at North American events from Key Notes to educational lectures.

During Michael's time, FerRobotics INC got rewarded “The 20 most promising Robotic solution providers” by the CIO review and in The 10 Most Innovative Automation solution providers 2017 and again 2021 by Insight success.

Session(s):

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Robots for Finishing or Material Removal | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Blake Hall

Systems Engineering Project Manager
SCHUNK

Blake has supported the automation industry for over five years as an applications engineer focused on concepting and specifying automation equipment. Today, Blake is a project manager in a systems engineering group pairing standard automation equipment with custom solutions to solve challenging automation applications with advanced end effectors.

Session(s):

Robotic End Effector Technologies Adapted for Special Applications | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Chris Harwood

Director of Supply Chain & Business Intelligence
SUN Hydraulics

Chris Harwood leads the vertical business transformation, integration and strategic sourcing at Sun Hydraulics. This builds upon 25 years of experience in leading design and innovation in the commercial vehicle OEM and Tier 1 supply value chain in hydro-electric systems as the industry transitions to energy efficiency, sensor technology, data enablement and automation. He has held roles of increasing responsibility at John Deere including expanding the Construction & Forestry division’s testing and manufacturing footprint in China, leading design and innovation of Construction & Forestry equipment integrating digital transformation to serve customers with enhanced technology features for operator assistance, automation and increased precision in performance. Chris is passionate about building high performing global teams that foster inclusion and is a recognized for his holistic experience across the value chain of hydro-electric vehicle systems. He is a registered professional engineer and holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Session(s):

Digital Fluid Power – Advances & Controls in Hydraulics & Pneumatics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Will Healy III

Global Industry Segment Leader, Welding
Universal Robots

Will Healy III is enthusiastic about manufacturing, technology and workforce development. A Purdue University mechanical engineer who loves to share his passion for automation, Will is a leader at Universal Robots and with the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) in Cincinnati. He speaks from personal experience about people-centric technology investments, managing culture change in organizations, bridging the manufacturing skills gap and creating value through automation. Will has more than 18 years of experience in a variety of industries including automotive, welding, and food & beverage.

Session(s):

Advances in Cobot Welding: Your New Welding Journey | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Eric Hershberger

Principal Application Engineer
Cognex

Eric Hershberger is a Principal Applications Engineer at Cognex with over 23 years of experience in machine vision integration and applications. He possesses expertise in programming robots, PLCs, and cameras. Eric is well-versed in various tips and tricks to streamline the resolution of challenging vision projects that often lack straightforward solutions. He dedicates significant effort to simplifying solutions for enhanced application support, and he thrives on tackling tough problems that challenge his analytical skills and critical thinking.

Session(s):

Machine Vision Made Simple | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM
Advances in AI-Powered Machine Vision Inspection | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Christopher Hoemeke

Global Account Manager
Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Over 30 years of automation experience in more than 30 countries. I am now focused on IIOT and private networks

Session(s):

Eliminating Drift and Hallucinations in Generative AI with RAG AI | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Mark Holcomb

Owner
Dynamic Systems Engineering

Mark Holcomb is currently the owner of Dynamic Systems Engineering, a consulting company focused on engineering and business development. He studied at the University of Buffalo (MS 1994) and began his professional career at CSA Engineering (now Moog) in Palo Alto, California. In 1997 Mark started his own consulting company, focusing his work at KLA, a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer. While at KLA, Mark conducted model testing and servo loop modeling, tuning, and testing. Joining Celera Motion in 2015, his early work focused on writing software for motor analysis and automated testing of motors and mechatronics products. In 2018 he became Applications Engineering manager, helping customers solve their motion control needs. In September of 2022, Mark joined Genesis Motion Solutions as Director of Product Management and Application Engineering where he supported a team of product managers and applications engineers, setting product roadmaps and helping customers and sales with pre and post sales technical support. In December of 2023, Mark returned to work as a motion control consultant, focusing his talents towards helping people solve precision motion challenges, both technically and commercially.

Session(s):

Applied Vibration Theory: A Guide to Vibration Troubleshooting and Measurement Techniques | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM
Introduction to Magnetism and Motor Basics | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:00 PM

Rajesh Iyengar

Co-Founder and CEO
Lincode Labs Inc.

Rajesh Iyengar boasts a track record of over two decades in the ever-evolving technology industry. With a strong background in AI, machine learning, and robotics solutions, he has been a driving force in the field. Rajesh has held pivotal positions as the Chief Technology Officer at Si3D Systems Pvt. Ltd. and PurpleData and has achieved two successful exits in Silicon Valley, showcasing both his entrepreneurial and technical prowess. Furthermore, he generously shares his expertise as an advisor to Rover Robotics and Lavorro while diligently overseeing the operations of Lincode as the Co-Founder and CEO. .

Session(s):

Advances in AI-Powered Machine Vision Inspection | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Frank Jakubec

Product Marketing Manager
Balluff Inc.

Frank Jakubec is a product marketing manager at Balluff Americas, where he leads the growth of the machine vision portfolio in the region. He has over 10 years of experience in B2B product and solution selling, with a focus on automation and machine vision technology. He holds a master's degree in business and commercial engineering from the Czech Technical University in Prague.

He collaborates closely with sales engineers to support their efforts and help drive business success. He oversees the release of new products, product introductions, and deal closures, as well as discounts and margins to ensure profitability. He has a proven track record of achieving double-digit growth for the machine vision market in the Americas. He is passionate about ensuring customer success and working on challenging and complex projects across various industries. He is an expert in customer relationship management, business relationship building, and presentations. He has also received multiple awards and certifications for his outstanding performance and skills.

Session(s):

Industrial Cameras: Beyond the Limits of Smart Cameras | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Michael Jensen

Product Manager - Industrial Machinery & Automation
UL Solutions

Michael is an industrial segment product lead in UL Solution’s Energy & Industrial Automation division. Michael focuses on advanced manufacturing for industrial market segments globally including robotics, additive manufacturing, machinery and control panels.

Michael is identifying business opportunities, creating and optimizing service offerings, and building capabilities within UL Solutions for industrial manufacturers and suppliers with advisory, digital, testing and compliance safety solutions. Industrial applications of focus include autonomous mobile robots, 3D printers, digital certification data, and advanced manufacturing innovation.

Prior to developing a focus on industrial product safety, Michael worked in product marketing for IoT and IIoT cybersecurity. Before joining UL Solutions, Michael worked as a marketing consultant for industry-leading 3D printing technology companies.

Session(s):

Leveraging UL Robotics Standards Testing to Meet Your Verification & Validation | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Wen Jiang

Boeing Designated Expert(BDE) in Factory Automation
Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Factory automation in Final Assembly and Delivery (FAD), Fabrication Hard Metals and Composite, Manufacturing Process.
 
Has extensive experience and knowledge of hardware, software, system integration in programmable logic controller (PLC), computer numerical control (CNC), Motion Servo Control, Robot, Enterprise-Control System Integration (ISA95), through control design with Siemens, Fanuc and Allen Bradley (AB), Ladder logic, Micro code, Assembly language, NC program, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), C++, and Visual Basic.

Session(s):

Digital Thread and Digital Twins Used to Control and Monitor Real-Time Manufacturing Process at Boeing | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Kevin Jones

VP of Sales
OnLogic

In leading the sales team at OnLogic, Kevin has had the privilege of working side-by-side with customers across a wide range of verticals who are looking to solve today's technology challenges. From Machine Vision and AI, to factory automation and SCADA deployments, the OnLogic team provides the hardware necessary for projects in nearly any environment. In combination with OnLogic's software and ecosystem partners, the team consults with customers across the world and bring the insight and experience necessary to tackle even the most ambitious programs.

Session(s):

Leveraging AI in Manufacturing and Logistics | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Matthew Jones

VP of US Sales and Operations
Micropsi Industries USA, Inc.

Matt Jones has been working in the automation world for the last 10 years, with his most recent 3 being at Micropsi Industries. Matt was the first US-based employee for Micropsi, which was founded in Berlin, Germany. Matt has helped build out the US team to 10+ people to help support the roll out of Micropsi's product, Mirai. Mirai is an AI system for controlling industrial robots. It enables automation where automation was previously not viable, making factories more productive, workspaces more ergonomic, and businesses more resilient.

Session(s):

AI/Machine Learning Applications in Robotics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Will Keller

Senior Manufacturing Engineer
General Motors

Will has spent almost 30 years working in manufacturing with a Focus on automation.

Will holds an MBA from NYIT, an MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Stanford and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Session(s):

Robotic Bin Picking Solutions in Automotive | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Holger Kenn

Director of Business Strategy, AI, Data and Emerging Technology
Microsoft Corp.

Dr. Holger Kenn is responsible for the technology strategy in the AI, Data and Emerging technology business development team at Microsoft, working with a cross-functional team building out the ecosystem of technology partners, standards bodies, and other innovation catalysts in the domains of AI and Data. He also represents Microsoft as the chairperson on the board of the OPC Foundation. Outside of Microsoft, Dr. Kenn has led international research teams in the domains of robotics, wearable computing and AI at several international research organizations. Dr. Kenn earned a Ph.D. degree from Vrije Universiteit Brussels in Belgium, designing operating systems for autonomous systems.

Session(s):

AI in the Machine - AI and OPC UA in Industrial Manufacturing and Robotics | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Steven King

Product Manager
Omron

Steven King has been in the automation field for 35 years, working both as a developer and as a solutions engineer in the fields of mobile robots, machine vision and code reading. For the past seven years he has put that technical and field training into practice as a product manager for Omron Microscan’s lineup of Smart Cameras, Code Readers and Machine Vision Lighting with the goal of creating innovative, capable and simple to use products.

Session(s):

Advanced Vision Lighting | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 12:30 PM

Steve Kinney

Director of Training
Smart Vision Lights

teve Kinney is a machine vision expert who joined Pulnix America and entered the machine vision industry in 1998. Going on to work for Basler, JAI, CCS, and now Smart Vision Lights, he has many years of machine vision imaging experience and has become an expert in industrial cameras and imagers. Since starting work in the lighting sector of Machine Vision in early 2015, he now combines camera expertise with machine vision lighting to bring an expanded knowledge base to the machine vision market.

Steve has additionally been an active A3 member and a current member of the A3 Board of Directors as Vice Chair of the Vision & Imaging Technology Strategy Board. He has been a past chairman of the AIA’s Camera Link Committee, beginning with its inception in 1999. As chair of one of the major standards committees, he has also been a participant the G3’s Future Standards Forum.

Steve has also been a major material contributor and instructor for the A3 Certified Vision Professional (CVP) program in both the Basic and Advanced CVP Camera + Image Sensor Technology courses. Steve currently is the Director of Training, Compliance and Technical Solutions for Smart Vision Lights in Muskegon, MI.

Session(s):

Advanced Camera & Image Sensor Technology | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:00 PM

Steffen Klawitter

Digital Enterprise Lead Architect
Siemens

Steffen Klawitter is a Digital Enterprise Lead Architect with Siemens Digital Industries providing well-balanced visionary & practical leadership for strategic digital transformations in highly competitive industries, cutting-edge markets, and fast-paced environments. He has a proven track record of leading cross-functional, international teams to create long-lasting business value for enterprises in areas like enterprise & solution architecture, digital twin & virtual commissioning, industrial internet of things, blockchain-based supply chain traceability and edge AI for manufacturing & logistics.

Session(s):

Transforming Manufacturing with AI: From Development and Deployment to Optimization | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Michael Kleiner

VP Edge AI Solutions
OnLogic

Dr. Michael Kleiner is the VP of Edge AI Solutions at OnLogic (www.onlogic.com). His mission is to bring OnLogic's history of providing innovative industrial computing hardware to the world of edge solutions and AI consulting, helping to best serve the company's growing list of customers who are deploying AI at the edge.

Michael joined OnLogic in 2015 to lead the company's Engineering and Product Management teams. Prior to joining Onlogic, Michael worked for over a decade in the DRAM industry, starting out as a circuit design Engineer and later building and leading development teams at locations in the US, Germany, and China. Michael loves technology and is passionate about growing teams and building businesses.

Session(s):

Leveraging AI in Manufacturing and Logistics | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Tom Knauer

Global Strategy Manager - Robotics & Automation
Balluff GmbH

Tom Knauer has more than 30 years’ experience in the industrial automation industry, with firms including GE Fanuc, Parker Hannifin, Omron STI and Balluff. He focuses on strategy, product management and business development for sensors, safety and networking. Recent activities include work on robotic, material handling, condition monitoring and general factory automation solutions and market development. Tom leads Balluff’s activities to evaluate and understand changes in robot and factory automation technologies and the marketplace, and helps direct Balluff’s strategy and technology development path based on this information.

Session(s):

Improve Uptime and Save Money – Getting Started with Condition Monitoring | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Keith Knight

Director of Business Development
Invio Automation

Keith H. Knight is currently the Director of Business Development at Invio Automation. Prior to his current role, he was a Business Development Manager at Novanta, and held positions as the Product Manager, and Engineering Manager for HaydonKerk Motion Solutions and has spent his entire career in the arena of motion control. Prior to his professional career Keith graduated with honors from Wentworth Institute of Technology of Boston MA with a BS in Electromechanical Engineering.

Session(s):

Mechanical Motion Control Components and Subsystems | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:00 AM
Understanding Inertia and Reflected Inertia | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:00 AM

Chris Knorr

Vice President, Business Development North America
Eclipse Automation, Part of Accenture

With over 30 years in various progressive rolls with some of the world leading companies in the automation industry, Chris leads the Business Development team and strategy for Eclipse Automation, part of Accenture, in North America. 

Over the years, Chris has assisted countless companies in the transportation, life science and consumer product industries in developing their automation strategy and optimizing their manufacturing operations through automation.

Through working with a broad range of clients bringing new products to market, Chris has gained extensive experience in what strategies lead to a successful manufacturing automation program launch and has a passion for sharing these best practices through thought leadership opportunities.

Session(s):

Automated Manufacturing Scale Up: Planning for Success | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Alex Koepsel

Sr Product Marketing Manager
Formic

Alex leads Product Marketing at Formic, a leading robotics company for manufacturers, co-packers, and logistics. Prior to product marketing in the robotics and semiconductor markets, Alex designed electronic defense systems for the U.S. Airforce and Navy as a Lockheed Martin engineer. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University and an MBA from Rollins College.

Session(s):

How to Calculate ROI of Automation When the Investment is Zero with Robots-as-a-Service | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Vish Kolur

Senior Director, Manufacturing Solutions
Ericsson

Vish Kolur is a Senior Director, Manufacturing Solutions, at Ericsson. In this role, Vish leads the development, co-creation and innovation of Industrial IoT solutions. He has 20+ years of experience in Information and Communication Technology industry; managing diverse IT, Telco and CIO functions including: cloud and IoT solutions, product management, business development and sales.

Session(s):

Enabling Smart Factories with 5G-Driven Computer Vision – A Case Study | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Thomas Kuckhoff

Product Manager – Controllers and Industrial PC’s
Omron Automation America

Thomas Kuckhoff is the product manager for NX and NJ controllers, NY industrial PCs, as well as the Sysmac Studio software for Omron Automation in the Americas, where he champions the power of Sysmac solutions. Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business from Clemson University. A licensed engineer in the State of South Carolina and author of thirteen patents, he has been named Greenville’s Best and Brightest as well as receiving Clemson’s Roaring 10 Alumni award.

Session(s):

All-In-One: Accelerating Robotic Success Through Holistic Factory Control | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Eric Kumar

Head of Customer Success
Corsha, Inc.

Eric Kumar is the Head of Customer Success at Corsha Inc. Eric is a technical professional with deep experience spanning in each phase of the customer lifecycle improving cross-functional and bottom line performance of a company. Eric joined Corsha to build a culture of customer excellence at the DC-based cybersecurity, focused on automating identity and access for machines. Corsha is an Identity Provider for Machines that allows the machines in an enterprise to securely connect, move data, and automate with confidence from anywhere to anywhere.

Eric has a proven track record of enabling customers to achieve success with complex solutions, increasing lifetime value with a focus in cyber security. Eric has been routinely recognized for above and beyond performance being able to communicate and deliver on a vision for internal and external stakeholders. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Session(s):

From Funding to Impact: How ARM Institute Projects Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Etienne Lacroix

CEO
Vention

Etienne is a business leader and entrepreneur with deep experience building and turning around engineering-intensive businesses. He’s the founder and CEO of Vention.

Before founding Vention in 2016, Etienne spent five years at McKinsey & Company as an Associate Partner with the Operations and Product Development Practices. In this role, he led enterprise-wide strategic, operational, and turnaround programs at global industrial and high-tech companies. Before joining McKinsey, he held various positions in product management, product development, and supply-chain operations at General Electric as part of the Technical Leadership Program.

Etienne holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the École de Technologie Supérieure.

Session(s):

The Rise of the Advanced Manufacturing Team and DIY Industrial Automation | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Daniel Lau

Professor
University of Kentucky

Daniel L. Lau (Senior Member, IEEE) received the B.Sc. degree (with highest distinction) in electrical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA, in 1995 and 1999, respectively. He is currently a Professor and the Director of graduate studies for electrical and computer engineering with the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. His research interests include image and signal processing, 3D imaging, and machine vision. His work has also been featured in trade magazines such as Imaging Insight, Prosilica Camera News, and Inspect Magazine.

Session(s):

Using AI for Semantic Segmentation in Uncontrolled Environments | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Chan Lee

CEO
Floatic

Chan Lee is CEO and co-founder of Floatic, a company that provides robotics solution for e-commerce warehouse automation. Chan graduated from KAIST with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he focused on gaining extensive knowledge and study on the robotic industry.  He also brings a wealth of practical experience in the field of robotics and business with his past experience in Kakao Ventures’ investment team, robot engineer for Delivery Hero’s Robot Business Unit and Naver Labs’ Robotics Team.  His deep passion for driving innovation and growth in the robotics and automation industry  has been recognized by multiple stakeholders including Forbes, listing Chan as one of the ‘30 Under 30’ in Korea.

Session(s):

Real-World Use Cases: Step into the South Korean E-Commerce Warehouse Industry and Discover How to Deliver A Successful Automation Experience to the Users | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Hongsuk Lee

CEO
Neurocle Inc.

Hongsuk Lee, CEO of Neurocle, is a dedicated professional with a solid background in business administration. He graduated from Seoul National University in 2015 and has since built a successful career in the field of Market Analysis, gaining valuable experience in the industrial sector.

In his current role as CEO of Neurocle, Hongsuk Lee is focused on the development of their flagship product, an auto deep learning vision software designed for universal accessibility. This software caters to a wide range of applications, including semiconductor, batteries, automotive, and food packaging industries.

Hongsuk Lee will be joining us to discuss Neurocle's deep learning vision inspection software and its versatile applications across multiple industries during the conference.

Session(s):

The Future of AI Vision Inspection: How to Maximize Inspection Accuracy Using Auto Deep Learning Vision Software | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Bernhard Lichtenauer

Head of Marketing and Product Management Automation Technology II
Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH

At HEIDENHAIN he is responsible for product management for inductive encoders. Through his continuously innovative mindset, he motivates teams within the company to think outside the box. His focus is on motor feedback applications in general automation and robotics.

Session(s):

Enabling A New Era of Motor Design | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Adam Livesay

Founder
Elevat, Inc

Adam is the Co-Founder at Elevat, an industrial IoT company focused on connecting the industrial world. Elevat specializes in working with OEMs to connect their machines and deliver the next generation of Service, Aftermarket Parts, Utilization, and Warranty. Elevat enables businesses that manufacture and use machines to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving global market. Elevat connects supply chains and entire partner ecosystems, enabling real-time data-driven decision-making across company boundaries. The Elevat solution aligns suppliers, OEMs, and distributors so that operators have exactly what they need when they need it. It is no longer sufficient to simply have the highest-quality or best-performing machine. Going forward, world-class companies must deliver the most intelligent machines.

Session(s):

Digital Fluid Power – Advances & Controls in Hydraulics & Pneumatics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Andrew Long

CEO
Cyth Systems

Andy Long founded Cyth Systems in 1999 after working for several years on test engineering projects large and small. His earliest experience was for the British Aerospace Military in roles of Flight Test, Information Services, and Marketing. He later developed test systems for aerospace, automotive, and biotech applications. Cyth Systems grew rapidly and began developing the procedures, skills, and experience to help customers around the world develop successful Machine Vision applications. Now, thanks to Cyth's AI-based Machine Vision software NeuralVision, clients for the first time ever have total control of their machine vision systems performance without being dependent on an external vision expert and without any prior programming experience.

Session(s):

Introduction to Machine Learning | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:30 AM

Mariana Lopez Martinolich

Application Engineer
Opto Engineering

Mariana Lopez Martinolich is the lead Application Engineer at Opto Engineering's USA branch and is part of the team that supports the American, Canadian, and Latin American markets. She received her B.Sc. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Houston in 2021 after having completed several research-focused internships in the fields of Nanotechnology, Neuroimaging, and Genetics at Rice University, University of Houston, and University of Texas Health Science Center.

Mariana began her career in Machine Vision in 2021 as an Application Engineer at Opto Engineering's Houston office, where she is responsible for leading technical discussions, performing feasibility studies, and presenting technical trainings on key Machine Vision concepts.

Session(s):

Special Lenses for Top and Side Inspection with Just One Camera: Advantages vs. Multi-camera Systems and Latest Innovations | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Daniel Loucks

Sr. Imaging and Measurement Systems Engineer
Corning Inc.

Dan Loucks is a Sr. Imaging and Measurement Engineer who works for Corning Incorporated, developing novel machine vision solutions. In this role, Dan partners with Corning’s businesses to build and sustain Corning’s manufacturing as a differential advantage by deploying measurement systems that support manufacturing process control and inspection of Corning products. Prior to his current role, Dan spent 13 years in the medical device manufacturing industry as a Sr. Manufacturing Engineer. Dan brings his passion, knowledge, and expertise of developing new products, manufacturing processes and custom vision systems from concept to implementation to Corning Incorporated.

Dan has developed machine vision solutions for multiple industries, including Medical Device, Automotive, Aerospace, Defense and Consumer Electronics. At Corning, Dan has developed production machine vision systems for multiple Corning businesses including, Corning Display Technologies, Corning Environmental Technologies, Corning Life Sciences, and Corning Optical Communications. He has also supported numerous internal Research and Development applications. Solutions that Dan has developed for Corning include vision guided CNC machining, polarization camera systems for process control, and inspection systems used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical vials intended for novel drugs and vaccines, to name a few.

Dan has a beautiful family, including his wife Alenna and their 4 children. Outside of work, Dan’s hobbies include quality family time and adventures, fly fishing, bee keeping and gardening. Dan also volunteers at his church where he coordinates and leads financial education classes as well as walking alongside of others through their own cancer journeys, to support in any way he can.

Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Session(s):

Metrology & 2D Calibration Techniques | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Robert Luchars

EVP
ECM PCB Stator Tech

Mr. Luchars is a tech entrepreneur with unique experience in motors, batteries, and renewable energy. Rob was introduced to ECM’s PCB Stator electric motor and CAD technology in November of 2019 and immediately jumped on board. Since then, he’s developed the Boston-based deep tech company’s sales and operational strategy, alongside ECM CEO Brian Casey.

Luchars started his career at ARK Invest in New York City as a research analyst specializing in industrial battery storage and photovoltaic cells in preparation for the launch of the ARKQ ETF. Through this research, he discovered the economics of solar in Australia were incredible. Rob packed his bags and spent three years traveling and working in the solar industry across Australia. There he facilitated a large variety of solar projects, from residential to large MW scale farms.

Session(s):

How Electric Motor Design Innovation Will Advance Automation | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Kat Maddi

Senior Manager, CPA
Wipfli

Kat Maddi, a Senior Manager in Wipfli’s Outsourced CFO and Controller service line, stands out for her consultative mindset and experience advising manufacturing, retail, and distribution clients. With a keen focus on optimizing accounting functions, Kat excels at identifying and evaluating best practices and process improvements. Her proactive approach empowers clients, offering tailored guidance to achieve strategic objectives and financial goals. Having worked as a CFO in different businesses, Kat has gained the ability to offer proactive guidance as she helps her clients achieve their immediate and future objectives.

Session(s):

Manufacturer’s Back Office Intelligent Automation Creates Labor Efficiencies | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Scott Marsic

Group Product Manager
Epson Robots

Scott Marsic has over two decades of experience successfully transforming diagnostic, technical, and business intelligence products into innovative, market-leading goods and services. As Group Product Manager at Epson America, Scott is responsible for developing strategic initiatives to help drive channel growth and end-user demand across the industrial robotics product category. Scott holds a BS from the University of California, Santa Cruz, an MS from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from San Francisco State University.

Session(s):

Automation 301: Improving Key Steps in Your Automation Process | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Ryan Marti

Product Manager – Industrial Cameras & Smart Cameras
Omron Automation America

Ryan Marti is a Product Manager at Omron Automation Americas. He brings 12+ years of experience in industrial cameras as well as expertise in machine vision. He is in charge of PC Based Vision solutions and the Smart Camera product line at Omron. Ryan has led multiple custom projects for large OEMs and end users, as well as specifying cameras for large products.

Session(s):

Inspect the Impossible, Seeing Beyond the Visual Spectrum | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 11:00 AM

Bob McCurrach

Director of Standards Development
Association For Advancing Automation

Bob McCurrach has over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing and product development sector, with a focus on global engineering management, strategic program and process management, primarily for the nuclear, defense and automotive industries. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University as well as an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology. Bob joined the Association For Advancing Automation (A3) in 2011 as their Director of Standards Development for Vision & Imaging. He has been a key leader in A3’s standards development and coordination of vision standard development globally. Standards play a key role in the Vision & Imaging industry by ensuring interoperability of components, increasing market size, and shortening the time it takes to get new products to market.

Session(s):

Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Alan Minney

Global Lead Strategic Partnerships, Enterprise & Emerging Business
Ericsson

Alan Minney leads 5G innovation and new business development through strategic partnerships for Ericsson’s Enterprise & Emerging Business organization. He has expertise in driving digital transformation, collaborative innovation, and co-development strategies that deliver business value. He works closely with partners, and customers to utilize dedicated 5G connectivity solutions that enable new customer experiences, build engagement, and improve business outcomes.

Session(s):

Enabling Smart Factories with 5G-Driven Computer Vision – A Case Study | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Tyler Naatz

Senior Application Engineer
3M

Tyler Naatz is a Robotics Application Engineer within 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division where he is responsible for working with robotics industry members to engineer optimum robotic abrasive processes to support manufacturers as they look to expand automation within their facilities. Tyler is heavily focused in metal fabrication applications. These applications include weld grinding and processing, satin finishing, stainless steel finishing, deburring, and much more. After obtaining his B.S. in Plastics Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Stout in 2015, he joined Flambeau Inc. where he worked as an Automation Engineer prior to joining 3M in 2018.

Session(s):

No One Does It Alone: What It Takes to Make a Partnership Work in Robotic Abrasive Processing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Michael Nagle

Machine Vision Specialist
Baumer

Mike Nagle is a Machine Vision Specialist at Baumer. He earned his mechanical engineering degree from the University of Dayton. He has a demonstrated history of working in industrial automation with a focus on providing customer solutions to make their production more efficient, safer, and profitable.

Session(s):

Simple Smart Cameras for AI and Industry 4.0 | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Farukh Naqvi

Manufacturing Business Partner
Boston Beer Company

Experienced expert with a distinguished career spanning over two decades, renowned for proficiency in manufacturing execution, automation, and supply chain planning. Adept at skillfully guiding cross-functional teams to oversee supply chain, smart manufacturing, and business transformation initiatives across a spectrum of diverse business sectors. Actively engaged in thought leadership through participation in ISA (International Society of Automation) and possessing specialized expertise in cross-system production models.

Session(s):

Event Driven IT/OT Convergence for Smart Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Luis Narvaez

Product Manager/Automation Specialist
Siemens

Luis is the regional product manager for controllers for Siemens USA. He brings over 10 years experience with automation technology in variety of industries ranging from theme park/entertainment to oil and gas and even machine tools/machining. Luis' pursuit for Smart Manufacturing makes him a subject matter expert in digitalization and industry 4.0 trends.

Session(s):

Delivering Superior OEE with Edge and Machine Connectivity | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Martin Naumann

CEO
drag and bot GmbH (part of KEBA group)

After studying mechatronics at Stuttgart University, Martin joined the department of Robot and Assistive Systems of Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart, Germany in 2005. In 2010 he started the group "Assembly Automation" at Fraunhofer IPA and became its group leader. From 2017 till today he is co-founder and CEO of drag and bot GmbH. Since 2022 drag and bot GmbH is part of KEBA group.

Session(s):

Why Ease-of-Use is Key for Flexible Robot Solutions…and How to Achieve It | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Gianpiero Negri

Senior Risk Manager - Robotics Safety
Amazon

Gianpiero Negri received the MSc degree summa cum laude in Computer Science – Electronic Engineering from Salerno University, a post MSc degree in Industrial Research, Mechatronics and Automation from CNR-ITIA (Italian National Research Council - Institute of Industrial Technologies and Automation, 2005). He also holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (dissertation title “A Game Theoretical Approach to Safe Decision-Making System Development for Autonomous Machines”).

He’s currently Principal Manager - WW Robotics Safety Engineering at Amazon Global Robotics (Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging Customer eXperience), leading the worldwide CX Robotics safety and compliance team and managing safety systems innovation, research, development, implementation and certification for mechatronics/robotics system, safe artificial intelligence systems, safe integration of technologies in automated research and testing Lab environment.

In 2004 he joined Italian National Research Council (CNR) as researcher in the field of Mechatronics. Since 2007 he has been technical leader and scientific responsible of several R&D programs in the field of advanced mechatronics, robotics and industrial automation.

Since 2017 he’s a member of ISO technical committees and working groups focused on development of autonomous machine safety and functional safety standards: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC42 – Artificial Intelligence, ISO TC 299/WG3 focused on industrial robotics safety/integrated robotic systems, etc. Since 2018 he’s an IEEE Computer Society – IEEE Software reviewer.

His current research interests include mechatronics, functional safety, automotive control systems, sensors, system engineering, robotics, electronic control system of advanced machines, scientific dissemination and artificial intelligence. He is author of several scientific and dissemination papers in the field of mechatronics, robotics and artificial intelligence, and he holds several patents in mechatronics and automotive related fields.

Session(s):

Machine Learning Applied to Robotics Product Development and Standardization | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Roberta Nelson Shea

Global Technical Compliance Officer
Universal Robots

Responsible for global UR product compliance, risk management, and reducing barriers to acceptance of UR robots for collaborative applications.  Over 45+ years’ experience in automation safety and standardization.

Honored as … 

• Recipient of the 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger “Nobel Prize of Robotics” award (safety).
• Recipient of the 2022 Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA USA.
• 1 of the “Twenty Women Making Their Mark in Robotics & Automation” by Smart Manufacturing (SME) in February 2021.
• 1 of the “100 Women in Safety in 100 years” by the American Society of Safety Professionals (known then as ASSE) in 2011. One of the 100 Women – Making a Difference in Safety
• Chair Emeritus of A3’s standardization activities, awarded in 2016. A3 was formerly known as RIA (Robotic Industries Association).
• Past member of the board of directors of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and of RIA (now known as A3).

National robot safety standardization activities:

• Since 1982, the only consistently active robot safety standards expert.
• Chair for 23 years of the US Robot Safety Committee (R15.06).  
• Active for 45 years in various American National machinery safety standards.
• Expert member of the NIOSH/ OSHA/ RIA Alliance.

ISO and US national standardization in automation and safety:

• Convenor: TC299 WG3 Industrial robotics (ISO 10218 & TS15066).
• Convenor: TC299 SG1 Study group on TC299 Robotics structure.
• Expert member: TC199 Safety of machinery, TC110/SC2/WG3 Safety of industrial trucks & various IEC working groups.
• Expert member in various US and Canadian standards committees: safety, robotics, plastics machinery and IEEE.
• Certified Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland).

BS Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a Masters degree in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management (ASEM) from the University of Alabama Birmingham. 

Before UR, lead Rockwell’s global safety component product management organization. Preceding Rockwell, held leadership positions at Symbotic, AMT and Pilz USA, with a career start at P&G.

Session(s):

Industrial Robot and Robot Application Safety: A Look At the New ISO 10218-1 and -2 | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Jason Okerman

Staff Product Manager
OTTO Motors

Jason Okerman holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Jason’s initial work in robotics dates back to 2010 when he worked as a Robotics Software Researcher on applied machine learning and vision processing to enhance how robots can function in human spaces. As Staff Product Manager at OTTO Motors by Rockwell Automation, Jason has managed the company’s comprehensive autonomous mobile robot software suite. He has led strategic initiatives to deepen investment in robot fleet productivity, security, and analytics. Prior to joining OTTO Motors, Jason managed hardware and software initiatives for industrial inspection, replacing life-threatening human work with human-robot teleop tools which collected 1000x more data while keeping human inspectors safe. He has over a decade of experience successfully and efficiently launching new products that serve industrial applications, including electrical power, hazard monitoring, inspection, and industrial automation. Jason has more than a dozen patents from his work on product innovation.

Session(s):

8 Key Considerations When Assessing Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Vendors | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Nick Orf

3M Abrasive Systems Division - Application Engineering Manager
3M

Nick Orf leads a Global Application Engineering team within 3M’s Abrasive Systems Division with a focus on new product development and robotic automation of abrasive processes. Nick has over 30 years of experience in the abrasive industry with nearly half supporting testing, training, and customer deployment of 3M’s abrasive portfolio through robotic and fixed automation methods development.

Nick and his team for work closely with robotics industry members to engineer optimum robotic abrasive processes to support manufacturers as they look to expand automation within their facilities. Nick is graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Chemical Engineering and currently located at 3M’s Customer Abrasive Methods Center in St. Paul, MN.

Session(s):

Enhanced Robotic Abrasive Methods Through Proper Abrasive Selection and AI Enabled Processing | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 4:15 PM

Rushiraj Patwardhan

Safety Engineer
Pilz Automation Safety L.P

Experienced safety engineer in machinery safety, risk assessments, safety validations, control system design, CE marking, delivery of safety trainings with demonstrated history of working in the industrial automation industry. Strong engineering professional with Master of Engineering - MEng focused on Electrical Power System & Certified Machinery Safety Expert (CMSE) as well as Certified Expert in Functional Safety (CEFS).

Session(s):

AGV Validation | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Jerry Perez

Executive Director - Global Accounts
FANUC America Corporation

Jerry Perez is an Executive Director - Global Accounts and Manager of the Business Develop Group at FANUC America Corporation, consulting global corporations in topics such as automation roadmap fulfillment, workforce development, and value stream transformations. Over the past 20 years, Jerry has been a leader in the expansion of robotics in multiple markets from defense and automotive to electronics and medical device manufacturing. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Engineering and resides in Royal Oak, MI with his wife and two kids.

Session(s):

Successful Automation Strategies: Fast, Wide Scale Implementation for Small or Global Organizations | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM
Strategies for Making Advanced Robotic Manufacturing Technology Accessible to System Integrators and End Users | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Florian Pestoni

CEO & Co-founder
InOrbit

Florian is an accomplished business leader and author, with hands-on experience bringing innovative products to market. As InOrbit’s CEO and co-founder, Florian leads strategy, fundraising and go-to-market activities. He is passionate about raising awareness around the new category of RobOps, sharing his compelling vision for the evolution of robotics and the future of work. He is also a co-founder of the Robot Operations Group, a community-led organization of experts in scaling robot deployments. Florian is an investor, advisor, board member, and mentor to young startup founders.

Session(s):

It Takes A Village: Fostering an Ecosystem to Solve the Biggest Challenges | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Søren Peters

CEO
HowToRobot

Søren Peters is the founder and CEO of the global automation marketplace HowToRobot.com and founder of Gain & Co, independent advisors on robots and automation.

A serial entrepreneur, Søren has previously founded, led, and successfully exited a series of companies in the IT industry. Søren was born and raised in Denmark where he founded Gain & Co and HowToRobot. Today, he is spearheading HowToRobot’s expansion in the United States and Europe, helping local manufacturers take on automation and find the right solutions and suppliers.

Session(s):

The Road to Mass Adoption of Robotics | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Gareth Powell

Product Director
Prophesee

An industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience in semiconductors, specializing in CMOS imaging after the acquisition of VLSI Vision (early pioneers in CMOS sensing technology) by ST Micro as applications engineer, then later as technical marketing/business manager. Gareth joined (Teledyne-)e2v, in 2006 as strategic marketing manager appointed with the task of building a CMOS imaging business from the ground up targeting professional/industrial markets.

Early 2022, Gareth joined Prophesee as Product Marketing Director to contribute to bringing to market their pioneering Event Based Sensing technology and products.

After graduating with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Swansea University in the mid-80s, Gareth relocated from UK to France to join ST Micro in Grenoble and has remained there ever since with his wife and three children. Gareth is also passionate about music and is a performing musician and recording studio owner in spare time.

Session(s):

Advances in AI-Powered Machine Vision Inspection | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Ashutosh Prasad

Founder & CEO
KoiReader Technologies, Inc.

Ash is the Founder & CEO of KoiReader Technologies and has broad-based background in Management, Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Consulting, with reputed organizations such as XPO Logistics, PwC, Ernst & Young, Blue Yonder, and Oracle Corporation. He comes with 20+ years of experience in Logistics and Supply Chain industry, and has been a guest or a keynote speaker at various supply chain conferences including at MIT.

Ash pioneered Applied AI in Logistics and Supply Chain and has filed over 20 patents as part of KoiReader Technologies.

Session(s):

Building an AI Operating Model | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Suresh Rama

Portfolio Development Executive
Siemens

Suresh C. Rama is a thought leader in Smart Manufacturing and a Portfolio Development Executive who leads the application of Siemens' Digital Manufacturing portfolio of solutions for automotive customers. He has over 30 years of Manufacturing and Industrial Automation experience with Automotive OEMs, Suppliers and Line Builders. He has been instrumental in transforming businesses through digitalization during his tenure in various leadership positions in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, R&D/Innovation and Industry 4.0. He currently uses his vast experience in helping guide various customers in their digitalization journey in Smart Manufacturing. Suresh has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. from The Broad School of Business in Michigan State University.

Session(s):

Simulation and Virtual Commissioning for Discrete Production Systems | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM
Delivering Superior OEE with Edge and Machine Connectivity | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Mukesh Ranjan

Vice President of Product
Dexterity

Mukesh Ranjan is Dexterity's Vice President of Product. He joined the company in 2023 to expand the company's product portfolio to include new applications for AI-powered warehouse solutions and enterprise software.

Mukesh is a seasoned product leader with over 15 years of experience in building native AI/ML SaaS products for B2B enterprises with responsible and explainable AI at the core. He previously acted as the SVP of Product at Noodle.ai (AI/ML Products and Platform for Supply Chain & Manufacturing) as held leadership and operating roles at Intel and Kearney.

Mukesh holds a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of Cincinnati as well as an MBA from U.C. Berkley's Haas School of Business.

Session(s):

The Future of Warehouse Robotics is Mobile and Multi-Use | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Rishi Ranjan

CEO
GridRaster

Avid technologist with 20+ years in designing complex XR Cloud platform network-based solutions. Provided technical leadership and expertise in wireless system design– mobile & infrastructure, keeping in view the next generation application requirements at Broadcom, Beceem and Qualcomm with 7 patents. Deep expertise in technology vision and translating it into successful product. Passionate about solving challenging problems by using deep expertise in wireless technologies, cloud computing, AR/VR/MR and connected devices. Currently focused on “Bringing immersive AR/VR for Everyone” by solving some of the key technology challenges and make it accessible to masses. Key Expertise in Product & Strategy, Fundraising, AR/VR, Wireless & Mobile technologies, Deep Learning, System Design and Architecture, Cloud Computing, H.264.

Session(s):

From Funding to Impact: How ARM Institute Projects Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Erin Rapacki

NVIDIA
Product Marketing Manager, Robotics

Erin Rapacki is a senior product marketing manager focused on industrial robotics and advanced simulation. Before joining NVIDIA, Erin worked for various industrial robotics companies and was responsible for product strategy, marketing, and business development. She holds an MS in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and a BS in industrial engineering from Northeastern University.

Session(s):

Accelerating AI for Industrial Robots with NVIDIA: From Simulation to Real-World Deployment | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Matthew Robinson

ROS-Industrial Consortium Americas Program Manager
Southwest Research Institute

Matt Robinson is the Program Manager for the ROS-Industrial Consortium – Americas, an industry-driven open source program bringing advanced manufacturing solutions for the industrial robotics community. Prior to his current role, Robinson was team leader for Caterpillar’s Manufacturing Technology Automation Research where he led development and deployment of automation tools to improve the performance and productivity of Caterpillar manufacturing facilities around the globe. Robinson also led manufacturing value stream design initiatives that led to the deployment of over 50 robotic/automated manufacturing systems around the world. Robinson holds a Master’s Degree from Ohio State University.

Session(s):

Developing High Mix Capability Through Open-Source Collaborative Initiatives | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Bob Rochelle

Account Manager
Güdel Inc.

Bob Rochelle earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Engineering from Virginia Tech and his Industrial Automation career spans over 30 years where he has held a variety of engineering, sales and management positions. He joined the Güdel team in 2016 as the Southeast Region’s Account Manager. Bob is a veteran speaker for industry groups, teaches engineering at the University and Community College level and is a freelance author for technical journals.   He is a regular contributor to educational committees for Industrial Automation Groups, has served on the RIA Board of Directors and is a past Standards Committee Chair for the 3A Sanitary Standards Institute. He enjoys sharing his experiences through speaking engagements like this one.

Session(s):

Getting Started with Industrial Robotics | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Jeremy Rockman

Product Marketing Manager
Mobile Industrial Robots

Jeremy Rockman is the head of product marketing for heavy payload autonomous mobile robots at MiR, and is focused on bringing the advantages of artificial intelligence to mobile robotics. He has over a decade of experience in bringing robotic products to market for semiconductor, warehousing, and industrial manufacturing. Jeremy has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and MBA in Technology Management from Boston University.

Session(s):

Cutting Through the Hype: An Overview on How to Evaluate AI Solutions for Industrial Applications | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Maren Roush

Manager of Standards Development, Robotics
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Maren Roush [MAH-ren ROWSH] has more than two decades of experience with testing, inspection and certification organizations and standards development organizations (SDOs). She joined the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) as Standards Manager in January of 2022 after almost 26 years with NSF International. At NSF, she’d spent the last 8 years as manager of NSF’s Biosafety Cabinet Certification and Personnel Accreditation Programs. Maren has bachelors and masters degrees in Environmental Science from Wesleyan University and Eastern Michigan University.

Session(s):

Robotics Standards Update | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Daniela Rus

Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
MIT

Prof. Rus served as a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and on the Defense Innovation Board. She is a senior visiting fellow at MITRE Corporation. She currently serves as a USA expert for Global Partnerships in AI, on the board of trustees of MBZUAI, and on the board of directors of Mass Robotics. She also served as Deputy Dean of Research in the Schwarzman College of Computing at MIT between 2019-2022.

Prof. Rus is a MacArthur Fellow, a fellow of ACM, IEEE, AAAI and AAAS, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the recipient of the Engelberger Award for robotics, the IEEE RAS Pioneer award, IEEE RAS Technical award, Mass TLC Innovation Catalyst Award, and the IJCAI John McCarthy Award. She earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University.

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Session(s):

One Robot for Any Task | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Thomas Ryden

Executive Director
MassRobotics

Thomas Ryden is the Executive Director of MassRobotics, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the robotics community and help grow the next generation of robotics and connected device companies. MassRobotics runs the world’s largest robotics and IoT focused co-working space.

Prior to joining MassRobotics, Mr. Ryden was the founder and CEO/COO of VGo Communications where he helped launch the VGo telepresence robot. Previously, Mr. Ryden was Director of Sales & Marketing for iRobot Corporation, overseeing the development of some of iRobot’s most successful products. Mr. Ryden serves on the Tufts University Computer Science Advisory Board, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Robotics Engineering Advisory Board, the Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering (MRE) Education Advisory Board, and the Robotics Technical Advisory Panel for ASME. He is also an advisor to a number of robotics start-ups. Mr. Ryden has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont and an MBA from Bentley University.

Session(s):

Mobile Robot Interoperability Standards | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Paul Ryznar

Founder & CEO
LightGuide

Engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur Paul Ryznar created LightGuide and is the founder, president, and CEO of Wixom, MI-based LightGuide, Inc. Prior to LightGuide’s invention in 2005, he held senior management roles including Vice President of Operations positions at Detroit Diesel, Bosch, and Energy Conversion Devices—more than 30 years of manufacturing experience. LightGuide is the leading projected augmented reality (AR) software platform that transforms manual assembly and manufacturing processes for companies worldwide. Today, LightGuide works with a variety of leading automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, agricultural equipment producers, and distribution companies, as well as in the healthcare field, to solve a growing variety of challenges. LightGuide, Inc. is headquartered in Wixom, Mich., with an EU office in the Czech Republic and an AP office in Suzhou, China. LightGuide is currently running in 36 countries worldwide.

Session(s):

Transform Your Workforce into a Competitive Advantage with Augmented Reality (AR) | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Stephen Se

Senior Engineering Manager, Depth Sensing
Teledyne FLIR - Machine Vision

Stephen Se is the Senior Engineering Manager at Teledyne FLIR Machine Vision with over 20 years of experience in computer vision, video/image processing, deep learning, 3D modeling, mobile robotics, airborne surveillance, etc. He completed a B.Eng. degree in Computing at Imperial College London and a Ph.D. degree in Computer Vision and Robotics at University of Oxford.  He then worked as a post-doctoral researcher at University of British Columbia on vision-based mobile robot localization. Subsequently, he led computer vision R&D projects for defense, mining, and terrestrial applications at MDA Corporation.  He is a senior member of IEEE and a professional engineer, with over 40 technical publications.

Session(s):

Stereo Imaging Use Cases and Challenges for Warehouse Robotic Applications | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Michael Sharpe

Executive Director - Materials Joining Sales
FANUC America Corporation

Mike Sharpe is the Executive Director of Sales for Materials Joining at FANUC America, responsible for sales and business development laser, arc, and adhesive bonding market.  A 36-year veteran of FANUC, Sharpe has served in a variety of positions within the company and holds patents in robotics-related applications.  Sharpe is a member of the American Welding Society, Laser Institute of America, sits on the steering committee for ALAW, and actively supports the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Session(s):

COBOTs Make Fiber Laser Welding Easy | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Nolan Shelton

Cobot Sales Specialist
ABB Inc.

After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton, Nolan joined ABB as part of the early talent program which ultimately led to his current position as Cobot Sales Specialist.

Having responsibility for collaborative robot sales in the US; he provides support, resources, and strategies to the organization relating to ABB's collaborative portfolio. He spends a great deal of time taking the pulse of the collaborative robot market, and can be found networking with peers at industry events, picking the brains of cobot application engineers, and visiting customers to gain a deeper understanding of the needs, drivers, and trends that are behind the rising demand for collaborative robots.

Session(s):

Collaborative Robotics: Finding Your Perfect Cobot Application | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

Stuart Singer

CEO
Schneider Optics, Inc.

Stuart Singer is a distinguished figure in the field of optical engineering and management, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Optics, Inc. With a remarkable career spanning over 45 years, Stuart brings a wealth of expertise in optical engineering, lens design, and technical sales across diverse industries.

 

Prior to his current role, Stuart held key positions at Schneider Optics, including Senior Vice President & CTO, where he spearheaded technological innovation and strategic direction for seven years. Before joining Schneider Optics, Stuart served as the Optical Engineering Manager at Loral Fairchild Systems (formerly Fairchild Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems) for 14 years, showcasing his adeptness in managing complex optical projects.

 

Stuart's contributions extend beyond corporate roles, as he also served as the Senior Technical Director of Ruda Cardinal, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in designing intricate optical systems. As a Senior Member of the Optical Engineering Society - SPIE, Stuart has actively contributed to the advancement of optical technology and shared his expertise through numerous technical papers and lectures.

 

Stuart's achievements in the field have been recognized with prestigious awards, including a National Emmy Award in 2012 for his pivotal role in developing an IRND Filter for Digital Motion Picture Cameras, highlighting his significant impact on the motion picture and television industries. His dedication to advancing optical engineering and his extensive experience make him a respected leader in the field.

Session(s):

Advanced Optics for Vision | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Nicholas Sischka

Director, Imaging
Edmund Optics

Nick Sischka is the Director of Imaging at Edmund Optics, specializing in optics for machine vision and robotics. In addition to teaching the basic optics course for the A3's Certified Vision Professional certification, he is the chair of the NextGen committee, which strives to get young people interested in factory automation. He has a bachelor's degree in Optical Sciences and Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Session(s):

Beginning Optics for Machine Vision | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Michael Skocik

Senior Programs Manager
ARM Institute

Michael Skocik is a Senior Programs Manager for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a DoD-funded national manufacturing innovation institute. Michael is responsible for managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio of ARM’s Technology Development projects and supporting the process by which they are selected. Through this work, Michael helps to fulfill ARM’s mission of increasing U.S. global competitiveness by accelerating innovative technologies and workforce programs that make robots more accessible to U.S. manufacturers.

Michael has over 20 years of manufacturing experience and has served in roles ranging in quality, product management, research & development, program management, and engineering. Recently, Michael has led the development of the ARM Institute’s Flexible Roadmap Process and served as lead designer and facilitator for workshops on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) as well as Multi-Robot Multi-Human Collaboration. Michael also manages the National AI Data Foundry project focused on the development of AI/ML tools, datasets and strategies to accelerate the adoption of robotics for manufacture applications.

Prior to joining ARM, Michael was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company in the roles of Marketing Development and Product Management where he managed aftermarket and engineered products for the Global Commercial Nuclear Sector.

Michael is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Chemical Engineering.

Session(s):

From Funding to Impact: How ARM Institute Projects Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Jason Smith

Principal Engineer - Commercial Robotics
UL Solutions

Jason is currently the Principal Engineer for Robots and Control Systems at UL Solutions, based in Northbrook, IL USA. Jason has been with UL Solutions for 18 years, during which time he also previously served as UL’s Principal Engineer for Functional Safety. Jason has worked extensively in the development of and staff training in service robot safety standards such as UL 3300 and ISO 13482, and functional safety standards such as UL 991, UL 1998, CSA C22.2 No. 0.8, IEC/UL 60730-1, and ISO 13849. Jason is a graduate of Northern Illinois University (BSEE) and has over 23 years of experience working with embedded systems and software.

Session(s):

Leveraging UL Robotics Standards Testing to Meet Your Verification & Validation | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Denise Stafford

Business Development Manager
KUKA Robotics

Denise is fascinated by the “human element” in robotics and believes listening to skilled workers is the key to success. Among her favorite quotes is one by Ernest Hemmingway, “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”   
In her role as Business Development Manager for KUKA Robotics, Ms. Stafford works with local sales and account management to provide customers in North America with innovative automation solutions using human-robot collaboration and mobile robotics. She offers valuable insight for both KUKA and their customers on a wide range of topics, such as Industry 4.0, mobility, and human-robot collaboration.

A KUKA employee since 2008, her role with the company has evolved over time to include a variety of key positions, including head of Service Robotics Research for KUKA Laboratories and as a Key Account Manager. Prior to KUKA, Ms. Stafford was the patent coordinator for AKsys GmbH, where she set up the company’s patent department, with a focus on ensuring company processes and formulas were legally compliant. She also served as a patent engineer for REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH.

Ms. Stafford obtained a Master of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Hagen after completing her graduate studies In Industrial Engineering at the Ulm University of Applied Sciences.  She enjoys exploring her new home, the City of Detroit, connecting with her neighbors, traveling and golfing with her husband.

Session(s):

Worker-Centric Mobile Robot Integration: Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Paul Stephens

Manufacturing Transformation Lead
Ford Motor Company

Paul Stephens is a next-generation manufacturing leader, bringing outside-the-box thinking and innovation to the automotive industry. Paul was appointed Manufacturing Transformation Lead for Ford Motor Company in April 2023, responsible for delivering best-in-world strategies to accelerate Ford's transition to a fully electric portfolio. With responsibilities ranging from advanced concept development through in-plant execution, Paul is fundamentally redefining vehicle assembly operations to generate long-term value for customers, employees, and shareholders.

Paul brings a fresh approach to a traditional industry, challenging the status quo and driving next-level growth in automation, process strategy, labor relations, investment optimization, and industry partnerships. Additionally, Paul has responsibilities and experience in cultivating relationships with global partners, leading negotiation delegations in the European and Asian markets.

Prior to his current assignment, he held positions in Industrial Engineering, Final Assembly, Vehicle Launch, and Technology Development.

Paul graduated from Kettering University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and has an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business.

Paul holds multiple US and global patents, and is a frequent speaker at international automotive and manufacturing conferences. Outside his professional schedule, Paul enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, bringing global perspective to his Michigan home.

Session(s):

Transforming EV Manufacturing with Advanced Automation | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Steve Strong

CEO
Concept Systems,Inc.

Steve Strong is the CEO of Concept Systems Inc., an automation systems integrator with more than 24 years of experience in the industry.  With Steve at the helm, Concept delivers turnkey automation solutions and services to manufacturers across the globe.  His team prides itself on its industry knowledge, deep technical expertise, a methodology that delivers with quality and speed, and a relentless commitment to delivering value to our partners.

Steve spent many years in the aerospace industry before joining Concept Systems in 2021.  His technical background is centered in manufacturing process development where he delivered solutions for production system PLM and MES software, developed automated robotic path planning systems, and managed NC programming system development for commercial airplane programs. Later he led enterprise strategy and deployment for NC and robotic programming for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.  His final role before joining Concept Systems was leading the organization responsible for the Digital Factory as part of Boeing Product Development future airplane programs.

Steve resides in the Seattle, WA area with his wife and three children.  He’s an active member of the local community, coaching flag football, golfing, and thinking deep thoughts on his tractor.  He and his family take every opportunity to advocate for Type 1 Diabetes research and outreach in support of his daughter Imogen who was diagnosed with T1D in 2020.

Session(s):

Exploring Modularity in Robotics Work Cell Design | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Lindsey Sullivan

Technical Marketing Manager
CCS America

Lindsey Sullivan has spent 8 years as an engineer evaluating machine vision applications in every industry. She started as a Sales Engineer at Keyence before moving to an Application Engineer at CCS America, Inc., a machine vision lighting company. In her current role as Technical Marketing Manager, she is sharing her expertise so that industrial automation companies can design high-accuracy systems without troubleshooting lighting challenges after machines are built.

Session(s):

Avoiding the Major Pitfalls of Machine Vision Lighting | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

German Suvorov

AI Solutions Architect - Business Development, AI Ecosystem
Siemens

German trained as an aerospace engineer and earned his Ph.D. in 2005, studying the overlap of data science and industrial automation. He's spent 20 years in roles ranging from engineering to business management, in fields like automotive manufacturing, supply chain management, and advanced materials. Over the past five years, he's been building AI solutions for industrial use, mainly with Siemens and NVIDIA ecosystems.

Currently at Siemens, German's focus is on developing new business opportunities by creating and integrating AI-based industrial automation solutions.

Session(s):

Transforming Manufacturing with AI: From Development and Deployment to Optimization | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Larry Sweet

Director, Engineering
ARM Institute

Larry Sweet is a widely recognized robotics and automation expert, working in both commercial organizations and academia. He brings experience in bringing emerging technologies into production by increasing their Technology Readiness Level, concurrent with improvements in factory floor processes and workforce skills. Previously he was the Director, Worldwide Robotics Deployment at Amazon Robotics, leading technology transition and system integration for all internally developed automation into Amazon’s global network. Larry also held senior manufacturing and technology roles at Symbotic, the Frito-Lay, United Technologies, ABB, Fanuc, and GE. Industry recognition includes 32 patents, the Edison and IR-100 Awards, and the Manufacturing Leadership Council Outstanding Achiever Award for Supply Chain Excellence. Larry received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from MIT, and a B.S from the University of California, Berkeley. He was a tenured faculty member at Princeton University.

Session(s):

Strategies for Making Advanced Robotic Manufacturing Technology Accessible to System Integrators and End Users | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Tucker Sweet

Automation Application Engineer
SCHUNK

Tucker has supported the automation industry for over 10 years with a focus in automation tool changing equipment and automated material removal. Tucker has extensive experience in concepting material removal automation, selecting tools and consumables, and validating the concept with application testing. Tucker is known for excellent automation support through gaining a deep understanding of customer requirements and developing a robust solution to bring confidence to the application.

Session(s):

Optimizing Automated Material Removal: Safe, Effective, Repeatable | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 11:15 AM

Robert Tait

Partner
Optical Metrology Solutions

Robert Tait started in industrial and scientific imaging before computer vision was a thing and was an early adopter on the machine vision technology curve.  Focusing on industrial / government research and development while developing applications and technology, he has maintained a fast and fun career over the last 45 years in the field..  His projects, spanning several countries, have taken him to the bottom of a training nuclear reactor, to the top of wind towers, with an excessive range of activities in-between. After most recently working 14 years at General Electric Global Research, he left to become a partner in Optical Metrology Solutions LLC, in 2018, and has been busy supporting a range of clients, as well as working on improved optical metrology solutions for industry.  One of his favorite jobs is to mentor beginning machine vision people and help them become proficient in the craft. 

Session(s):

Advanced Vision System Integration | Friday, May 10, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Frantisek Takac

Strategic Partners Manager
Photoneo s. r. o.

Frantisek Takac is a robotics, 3D vision, and automation enthusiast with 15 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for business development, sales, and marketing, he is currently taking care of strategic accounts and robotic partners of the company Photoneo. Frantisek is an ambassador of Photoneo's novel technology for 3D scanning in rapid motion - parallel structured light, which enables bringing innovative and reliable 3D vision technology solutions to the market, enabling powerful and fast machine learning and improving the performance and efficiency of various industries including robotics, warehouse and factory automation.

Session(s):

Parallel Structured Light - High Accuracy 3D Sensing for Automation in Motion | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 2:15 PM

Wendy Tan White

CEO of Intrinsic,
an Alphabet company

Wendy Tan White is the Chief Executive Officer of Intrinsic, which aims to unlock the creative and economic potential of industrial robotics for businesses, entrepreneurs and developers by making industrial robots easier to use and train. Intrinsic became an Alphabet “Other Bet” in July 2021.

Before becoming CEO at Intrinsic, Wendy was a Vice President at X, the moonshot factory, where she coached a variety of teams and leaders on how to chart their path to the moon, including sustainability projects Mineral and Tidal. Before joining X, she was a partner at BGF Ventures, a £2.5bn growth capital fund, and General Partner at Entrepreneur First, a global technology talent investor in AI, robotics and biotech. Early in her career, Wendy was CEO and co-founder of Moonfruit, the world’s first Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) website builder platform. She also helped launch Zopa.com, the first European peer-to-peer lending site, and Egg.com, the UK's first internet bank.

Wendy holds a bachelor of engineering in computer science from Imperial College, a masters in material futures design from Central Saint Martins, and an honorary doctorate from Salford University. In 2016, Queen Elizabeth II awarded Wendy an MBE for her services to technology and business.

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Session(s):

Realizing the Value of AI in Industrial Automation | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Daniel Theobald

Founder and Chief Innovation Officer
Vecna Robotics

Daniel Theobald is the Chief Innovation Officer and founder of Vecna Robotics, flexible, intelligent material handling automation company. Daniel has decades of experience leading research scientists and teams of engineers in developing cutting-edge technology. He has 67 issued patents and more than 30 patents pending. 

Daniel has been at the forefront of robotics for more than 20 years, working closely with DARPA, DOD, NASA, NIH, USDA, and many others to advance the use of robots and AI software to improve supply chain automation. In addition to founding Vecna Robotics, Daniel also co-founded MassRobotics, a non-profit dedicated to the global advancement of the robotics industry. Daniel is dedicated to the idea that technology can be used to empower people worldwide to live more fulfilling lives. 

Session(s):

Mobile Robot Interoperability Standards | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Marc Trusio

Business Development Director, Americas for Senseye Predictive Maintenance
Siemens

Marc Trusio is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in business development and sales across diverse industries. Currently serving as the Business Development Director, Americas for Senseye Predictive Maintenance at Siemens, Marc plays a pivotal role in driving growth and strategic initiatives in the region.

With a career spanning over two decades, Marc has held key positions including US Sales Director at Senseye, Strategic Account Manager at VIZIYA Corp, and Director of Strategic Accounts at Covente, Inc. His expertise extends to enterprise software sales, big data analytics, and strategic partnerships. Marc's career journey reflects his dedication to driving business growth and fostering valuable client relationships.

Session(s):

Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence: The Power of Predictive Maintenance Technology | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 3:15 PM

Jenny Tuertscher

Vice President Technical Safety
Fortress Safety

Jenny designed machinery for use globally for over 20 years, has been a TÜV Rheinland Functional Safety Engineer for 6 years, and has participated on ISO and ANSI machinery standards development committees for 6 years.  While working at Procter & Gamble, Jenny enhanced the training and qualification program internal to the company by creating and providing material on using the machinery safety standards, U.S. and global, to evaluate machine designs for proper risk reduction implementation.  She currently teaches B11 LMSSTM and answers questions related to machinery safety, LOTO, and AMEC for Fortress Safety customers.

Session(s):

Risk Reduction Is Not Always About Changing Your Control System | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM

Patrick Varley

Product Marketing Manager (Robot)
Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc

Patrick is an automation industry veteran with over 35 years of automation experience including systems integration, robot & vision system suppliers and distribution. In his role as Product Marketing Manager for Mechatronics / Robotics at Mitsubishi Electric Automation, he is driven by the challenge of solving customers’ needs through innovative and durable automation solutions.

Session(s):

How Their First Robot Purchase Enabled A 70-Year-Old Company with 11 Facilities on 3 Continents to Profitably Expand Their Domestic Manufacturing | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM

Massimiliano Versace

CEO and Co-Founder
Neurala

Dr. Massimiliano Versace is the CEO and co-founder of Neurala. With decades of experience and research in AI and deep learning techniques, Dr. Versace is now focused on making AI more applicable and useful in real-world applications, specifically in the manufacturing and industrial industry. Prior to co-founding Neurala, Dr. Versace co-founded the Boston University Neuromorphics Lab, and worked with government organizations such as DARPA and NASA to develop AI with the ability to learn in real-time, at the edge, and free of traditional constraints of computational hardware.

Dr. Versace has spoken at numerous events, including a keynote at Mobile World Congress Drone Summit, TEDx, NASA, the Pentagon, MIT Tech Review’s Future Compute and IMA Sensing Days. His work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, Fortune, MSNBC, the Associated Press, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

He holds several patents and two PhDs: Cognitive and Neural Systems, Boston University; Experimental Psychology, University of Trieste, Italy.

Session(s):

Living at the Edge: The Era of AI, Everywhere in the Production Floor | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 10:15 AM

Masahito Watanabe

Chairman
Japan Industrial Imaging Association

Biography coming.

Session(s):

Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM

John Wen

Professor and Head, Electrical, Computer, & Systems Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

John Wen is the Russell Sage Professor in Engineering and Head of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has been an active researcher in control, robotics, and automation for over four decades. His recognitions include IEEE Fellow in since 2001, the 2013 IEEE Control Systems Society Transition to Practice Award, Oversea Assessor for the Chinese Academy of Sciences 2004-2009, and Senior Visiting Scientist of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science in 1997. He was with Fisher Controls 1981-1983, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1985-1988, and RPI since 1988. He served as Head of Industrial and Systems Engineering 2013-2018 and Director of the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) 2005-2013. His research is in the area of control theory and applications including robotics, material processing, thermal management, and circadian rhythm and sleep regulation. His work has been funded by federal agencies, e.g., NSF, ONR, ARO, NASA, NIST, New York State, consortia, and industry.

Session(s):

Multi-Robot Coordinated Motion | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 11:00 AM

Perry C. West

President
Automated Vision Systems, Inc.

Perry C. West is the president of Automated Vision Systems, Inc., a leading consulting firm in the field of machine vision.  He has over 43 years of experience in machine vision.  This experience includes system design and development, software development of both general purpose and application specific software packages, optical engineering for both lighting and imaging, camera and interface design, education and training, manufacturing management, and engineering management.  He received his BSEE from the University of California at Berkeley, is a past President of the Machine Vision Association of SME, received the MVA/SME Chairman’s Award for 1990, and received the Automated Imaging Association’s annual Achievement Award for 2003.

Session(s):

High-Speed, Real-Time Machine Vision | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:30 PM
Vision System Design | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:30 AM

Jim Wiley

Product Manager
Parker Hannifin

Jim Wiley is a Product Manager for servo and stepper drives with Parker Hannifin Corporation's Electromechanical and Drives Division, where he has spent his entire twenty-year motion control career. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Jim joined Parker's Daedal Division as an engineer.

Session(s):

Positioner Selection and Motor Sizing | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 3:00 PM
Motion Controllers, Programming, and System Design Basics | Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Melonee Wise

CTO
Agility Robotics

Melonee Wise is the CTO of Agility Robotics. Melonee has a deep history in developing autonomous robots and advancing the robotics industry as we know it today. Prior to joining Agility in 2023, Melonee was the Vice President of Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies. She was CEO of Fetch Robotics until its acquisition by Zebra Technologies in 2021. Melonee was the second employee at Willow Garage where she led a team of engineers developing next-generation robot hardware and software, including ROS, the PR2, and TurtleBot. Melonee serves as the Chair of the IFR Service Robot Group, as a robotics board member for A3, and on the MHI Roundtable Advisory Committee. Melonee has received many accolades and awards including the MIT Technology Review TR35, Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Women of Influence and 40 Under 40, Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s 2021 Supply Chain Woman of the Year, the 2022 Engelberger award, and as one of eight CEOs changing the way we work by Business Insider. Melonee received a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Physics Engineering and a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois.

Session(s):

The Next Frontier of Automation: Mobile Manipulation Robots (Humanoid Robots) | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 1:30 PM

Allyson Wyatt

Sr. Applications Engineer
Allied Motion

Allyson Wyatt is a Senior Applications Engineer for Allied Motion. She holds a B.S. in Physics from UC Santa Barbara and has extensive knowledge of motors, encoders, servo drives, and motion systems. Allyson is also an A3 Certified Motion Control Professional and is excited to share her love of physics with this year's attendees.

Session(s):

Basic Machine Design and the Physics of Motion | Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - 9:00 AM

Sreten Zakula

Staff Engineer - Robotics/Automation Applications and Execution
General Motors

Sreten (Steve) Zakula is a Staff Engineer at General Motors primarily responsible for the development and validation of new robotic applications and technologies. He is a Certified Vision Professional and holds a MS in Robotics from Wayne State University.

Session(s):

Robotic Bin Picking Solutions in Automotive | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 10:15 AM

David Zerkler

Senior Manager - Machine Vision Learning
Zebra

David Zerkler has been in the industry for 13 years in various technical communication and education roles. He currently leads the machine vision learning group for Zebra Technologies, where they produce training videos and deliver live technical training.

Session(s):

Advanced Image Processing | Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 2:00 PM

Daniel Zindl

Chief Product Officer
Agilox North America

Daniel has been with AGILOX for more than 8 years since 2015. His Responsibilities include the Coordination of the Product Strategy, Innovation Management & Future Business Models and Leading the Product Management Team. He holds a degree in Mechatronics Engineering and a Master's Degree in Innovation and Product Management.

Session(s):

Robots Unleashed: Why AMRs Are on the Rise and How AI Will Further Disrupt Production Logistics | Monday, May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM