Better Together

What makes robotics implementation successful? Beyond the technology itself lies the critical element so many overlook: human relationships.

In this enlightening conversation, three industry veterans—Jane Mooney (Cobot co-founder), Brent Barcey (DW Fritz Automation VP), and host Mandy Dwight—explore how trust becomes the foundation for technological transformation. Drawing from decades of collective experience, they reveal the human side of automation that rarely makes headlines but determines success or failure.

Jane shares the inside story of Amazon's game-changing acquisition of Kiva Systems in 2012—a move that transformed warehouse automation and changed an industry. She reflects candidly on both the triumphs and missed opportunities. This watershed moment illustrates why relationships matter even in the most technical environments.

The discussion reveals fascinating insights about human-robot relationships at the operational level. Distribution centers where workers named their robots—"Billy Bob or Lisa Marie"—consistently achieved higher throughput than facilities with anonymous machines. This simple act of personification created a team dynamic that measurably improved performance, underscoring how automation success depends on human buy-in.

For companies navigating their automation journey today, the group advocates combining bold vision with practical implementation: "What works best is the big vision, and then the roadmap to get there with quick wins... getting confidence in baby steps." This approach enables organizations to "fail fast, triage fast, and get on to the next thing" without becoming overwhelmed.

As reshoring accelerates due to supply chain disruptions, the speakers agree that automation presents tremendous opportunities—but only for those who build trust with operators from day one. "Most people don't ask the operator's opinion," Brent notes, highlighting how the most successful deployments begin by finding "forward-thinking operators willing to step into that future."

Whether you're a manufacturing leader weighing automation investments, a technology provider seeking to build lasting client relationships, or simply curious about the human dimensions of our robotic future, this conversation provides invaluable perspective on navigating the road ahead.