ABB, NVIDIA, DHL, Teradyne to discuss state of robotics at RoboBusiness

Robotics is inherently challenging because it requires inputs across disciplines, from mechatronics and electrical engineering to software and artificial intelligence. Predicting the future of robotics innovation is also difficult, because it is subject to numerous technical hurdles, as well as investor and market pressures. A keynote panel at RoboBusiness, which will be on Oct. 16 and 17 in Santa Clara, Calif., will sift through the hype and promise of robotics.

“I look forward to learning from experts with real track records in identifying and advancing robotics innovations,” stated Eugene Demaitre. He is co-moderator and editorial director for robotics at WTWH Media, which produces The Robot Report and RoboBusiness.

“Everyone can benefit from this discussion, no matter whether you’re a researcher, an entrepreneur, or an end user trying to survey the ever-changing landscape,” Demaitre added.

The keynote panel on “Driving the Future of Robotics Innovation” will be at 10:30 a.m. PT on Day 1 of RoboBusiness. The speakers will examine how competition and collaboration both push technology forward, as well as how advances in perception, mobility, and manipulation are enabling new robotics applications. The panelists will also talk about the potential of the latest developments, from generative AI to humanoid robots, for multiple industries.

Meet the panelists discussing robotics innovation

John Bubnikovich is president of ABB’s Robotics Division in the U.S. He was appointed to this role in December 2022, returning to ABB where he served from 2012 to 2018 in business development, sales, and marketing leadership roles.

Bubnikovich has more than 20 years of regional and global experience in robotics and automation in a variety of general management and sales roles. In addition to his time at ABB, he has held senior positions at DESTACO and KUKA Robotics. Bubnikovich most recently served as the CEO of Convergix, a private equity venture focused on investing in automation companies.

With his experience in developing teams and accelerating sales and income growth, Bubnikovich is focused on growing ABB’s robotics and applications portfolio. The company recently completed a major expansion at its U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Bubnikovich holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Oakland University and a master’s in strategic management from Walsh College.

Amit Goel is head of the robotics and edge AI ecosystem at NVIDIA, where he leads the product development of the NVIDIA Jetson platform for AI computing at the edge.

Goel has more than 15 years of experience in both software and hardware design roles. Prior to joining NVIDIA, he worked as a senior software engineer at Synopsys, where he developed algorithms for statistical performance modeling of digital designs.

Goel holds a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and communication from Delhi College of Engineering, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.

Joan-Wilhelm Schwarze is senior global innovation manager at the Center of Excellence for Automation of Operations at DHL. He is a seasoned logistics professional with a career spanning several years in the industry.

After earning his Master’s degree, Schwarze began his journey in logistics as a project manager in warehousing, quickly growing into a role where he oversaw operations for an e-commerce warehouse. His proven leadership and knack for strategic planning led him to join DHL Supply Chain, where he led a major project in DHL Supply Chain Germany and Alps in 2019.

Recognized for his expertise and innovative approach, Schwarze transitioned to DHL’s corporate development team as a senior global innovation manager. His focus on robotics and computer vision has brought cutting-edge advancements to the logistics company’s operations. In October 2023, Schwarze relocated to the U.S., where he continues to lend his skills and knowledge to support DHL’s divisions.

With a rich history in logistics and a future-focused vision, Schwarze said he brings a unique blend of experience and innovation to the table.

Eric Truebenbach is managing director of Teradyne Robotics Ventures. He is a longtime player in robotics and automation, as an inventor, a leader of two internal startups, an acquirer, and an investor.

In Teradyne Corporate Development, he played a key role in the acquisitions of Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots, and others. Truebenbach currently manages the company’s corporate venture fund dedicated to investing in automation and AI to make people safer, more productive, and more engaged.

A holder of dozens of patents, Truebenbach is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent Office, and he is a Teradyne Engineering Fellow.

Co-moderator Mike Oitzman is a senior editor for robotics at WTWH Media. He founded the Mobile Robot Guide and is co-host of The Robot Report Podcast.

Oitzman is a robotics industry veteran with 25-plus years of experience at various high-tech companies in the roles of marketing, sales and product management.

Among those roles, he has been a product manager at Remedy Corp. and Peregrine Systems, served in several managerial roles at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and was senior product-line manager for Lynx mobile robots at Adept Technology.

Oitzman is based near Sacramento, Calif.

Co-moderator Eugene Demaitre is editorial director for robotics at WTWH Media, which also produces Automated Warehouse and the Robotics Summit & Expo in addition to RoboBusiness. Prior to working for WTWH Media, he was an editor at BNA (now part of Bloomberg), Computerworld, TechTarget, and Robotics Business Review.

For nearly a decade, Demaitre has participated in robotics conferences worldwide, as well as spoken on numerous webcasts and podcasts. He is always interested in learning and sharing more about the latest technology and industry developments.

Demaitre has a master’s from the George Washington University and lives in the Boston area.

Register now for RoboBusiness 2024

In addition to enabling technologies and robotics innovation, RoboBusiness focuses on investments and business topics related to running a robotics company. Other keynotes at the event will feature:

• Rodney Brooks, co-founder and chief technology officer at Robust AI, as well as co-founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics
• Sergey Levine, co-founder of Physical Intelligence and an associate professor at UC Berkeley
• Claire Delaunay, chief technology officer at farm-ng
• Torrey Smith, co-founder and CEO of Endiatx

RoboBusiness will also include more than 60 speakers, over 100 exhibitors and demos on the expo floor, 10+ hours of dedicated networking time, the Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition, a Women in Robotics Luncheon, and more.

RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, which focuses on the design and development of medical devices. Thousands of robotics practitioners from around the world will convene at the Santa Clara Convention Center, so register now to ensure your spot!

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