Automation Alley adds sessions on ChatGPT and Generative AI, Hydrogen, Automotive Design Visualization, and more to Integr8 2023 lineup
Culture Article by Dennis Burck, Automation Alley
We've been busy securing the best and brightest minds for our annual Integr8 conference. Check out our two newest roundtables on Chat GPT/generative artificial intelligence (AI) and green hydrogen's role in a world buzzing with electrification. These two will join many more roundtables, tech talks, and breakout sessions to advance all things Industry 4.0.
As Michigan’s Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center, we practice what we preach: agility and iteration. That is why Automation Alley recently added critical sessions on today’s trending topics for academics, manufacturers, and tech professionals alike to participate in at Integr8.
Curious about ChatGPT and the greater role artificial intelligence is playing in our society? We’ve added a new roundtable featuring Microsoft MVP and leading expert in applied artificial intelligence Charles Elwood to Integr8. Curious about the comeback hydrogen is experiencing with greater public funding toward sustainable manufacturing? We’ve added a new roundtable by Fraunhofer USA on green hydrogen's future in a world buzzing with electrification.
Here’s an in-depth guide to updates in our Industry 4.0 conference lineup:
NEW ROUNDTABLE — ChatGPT and Generative AI
There is a reason why Industry 4.0’s eight technologies are called disruptive. Each can revolutionize the way we do business and make products, rapidly evolving the marketplace to change the status quo. Looking forward, 2023 will likely be remembered as the year when artificial intelligence made its power known to the public for the first time. This technology, once confined to classrooms and science fiction, is now dispersed en masse to the general public, creating new opportunities and challenges in its wake.
As the Industry 4.0 knowledge leader in Michigan’s manufacturing ecosystem, it is our job as Automation Alley to educate and inform members on these trends. This is why we welcome Charles Elwood, Microsoft MVP and leading expert in applied artificial intelligence and machine learning, to present a thought-provoking Integr8 roundtable discussion on how AI language models like ChatGPT will change education and the corporate world.
Elwood’s session, “Converging Horizons: Navigating the Opportunities and Challenges of ChatGPT and Generative AI in Education and Business,” will explore the latest advancements in AI and how they will shape the future of our society. Space and seating is limited. Don’t miss this rare chance to participate and understand how artificial intelligence will revolutionize the fields of business, technology, and manufacturing.
NEW ROUNDTABLE — Green Hydrogen’s Future While Batteries Build Up
With ESG (environmental, social, governance) goals becoming increasingly prevalent among large and small manufacturers alike, where does hydrogen fit into the fight for sustainable manufacturing and sustainability in general?
If federal dollars are a signal, green hydrogen will be another key tool in the U.S. arsenal to fight climate change. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contains over $9 billion in funding to develop technology harnessing the power of the periodic table’s simplest atom.
Green hydrogen, unlike its polluting siblings blue and gray hydrogen, uses clean electricity from renewable energy sources including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower to separate water from hydrogen in a process known as electrolysis.
Learn about the challenges and use cases of green hydrogen from world-renown industry expert Fraunhofer and its group of panelists. The group will discuss how batteries and hydrogen can coexist, use cases of green hydrogen in manufacturing and how to plan or partake in the green energy industrial revolution.
Keynote Speeches
“Research, Innovation, and the Transatlantic Model for Successful Manufacturing”
-Delivered by Fraunhofer USA President Thomas Schuelke
“Automotive Design Visualization”
-Delivered by Epic Games Director of UE Business: HMI & Automotive Heiko Wenczel
Other Conference Highlights
The Smart Technology Exhibition
See the latest advanced manufacturing technologies in action. Meet with some of the leading tech solutions providers and manufacturers shaping the future of Industry 4.0.
3D Printing Pitch Competition
Back by popular demand, the 2023 conference will include a 3D Printing Pitch Competition hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Pure Michigan Business Connect. The grand prize is a state-of-the-art 3D printer.
At Automation Alley, we believe information is power. Join us to participate in discussions that go beyond one day. Join us to advance the narrative of manufacturing’s future. Join us on May 9 with an all-access pass to Integr8.
INTEGR8 : The Industry 4.0 ConferenceMay 9, 2023 8 a.m — 5 p.m.
Suburban Collection Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI, 48374
Manufacturers and Tech Companies Alike Find Value in Connections Made at Automation Alley’s Integr8 Conference
Automation Alley's Integr8 conference brings together budding startups, industry stalwarts and academic experts to advance the narrative of Industry 4.0 through true connections and collaboration. Don't believe us? We let the experts speak for the conference.
The business technology world is flush with “networking” events. However, far too often these events fall short of their good intentions. Automation Alley’s annual Integr8 conference provides the opportunity to make real-time connections between budding startups, industry stalwarts and academic experts — all under one roof, all at the same time. In fact, last year’s Integr8 exhibitors gathered an average of 25 leads at Integr8, with some exhibitors ranging above 80! Still not convinced to register? The proof is in the pudding. Automation Alley sat down with Matt Myrand, Manufacturing Innovation Director of global automotive supplier Forvia, and Brian Breuhan, Advanced Technology Engineer at General Motors, to discuss how last year’s Integr8 conference changed their businesses.
Forvia Manufacturing Innovation Director Matt Myrand on Integr8:
How would you explain Integr8 to someone attending for the first time?
I’ve been to Integr8 two or three times now. It is a cool collection of like-minded innovative thinkers and the companies and startups that come behind that. There are people within the industry like Tier 1 suppliers like myself, but also a lot of interesting startups and established technology leaders going to the conference to share their solutions with the industry.
You made a connection last year at the show with Ati Motors and their Automated Ground Vehicle (AGV) solutions. How did this happen?
We are in the digital transformation phase and have about 1,800 AGVs installed globally. We look at a lot of tunneling or turtling AGVs that can go under a rack, pick it up and move it around. The next phase for mobility in our factories is tugger-type solutions and forklift-type AGVs.
Ati had one of their demo units there tugging product and moving a pallet around at Integr8. It was cool to see a live demo of this technology on the spot. We talked to the founders of the company, but they also had a local integrator, which was an attractive part as well. The integrator was up in Flint with units in his facility, so the lead time was small. They had a great, technologically sound solution with an interesting pricing model as well as the availability to get our hand on these tuggers quickly. It was a great fit.
What does your relationship with Ati look like almost a year later?
We’ve installed two of these tuggers in our Columbus, IN plant. It is a long haul of pallet carts where the pallet is loaded onto a cart and is transferred from the warehouse portion of the factory to the assembly portion. It is quite a long distance. We would typically move it with a manual train-like concept, but this takes out all of that travel time. Now it is a two-part marriage system. We have a team member at the warehouse that loads them up and another team member that catches them on the other side to move them into the assembly area. We’ve seen efficiencies in our MOD [Manufacturing on Demand] and transportation loops. It also gave us more of a standardized Takt Time, which is something we are always looking for in a standardized delivery to the lines. It's a win-win for us.
Do you plan on attending this year?
I plan on being there looking for the next shiny new toy to catch my eye.
GM Advanced Technology Engineer Brian Breuhan on Integr8:
How would you explain Integr8 to someone attending for the first time?
I’d tell them it’s a great way to get introduced to new technology and local businesses investing in and creating that technology. It’s also a good way to connect their understanding with problems you have on the shop floor or in your organization.
You met Detect-It AI and Invisible AI at Integr8 last year. What did you enjoy about what they brought to the table?
With AI-related companies and vision systems like Detect-It and Invisible AI, both had interesting products that were able to improve productivity and quality. When looking at Invisible AI, it allows you to be able to improve the productivity of your assembly line by using vision systems with an algorithm. It helps you understand where your bottlenecks are.
Detect-It on the other hand is more of an agnostic AI tool, producing and managing an algorithm to be used in any camera, which makes it easier to implement faster.
What’s your relationship with them now?
Right now we are exploring the technology they have and if it applies to us and the technology we have in our organization.
Heading into this year, what are you hoping to get out of the event?
I’m hoping to find some companies similar to what I’ve done in the past with Detect-It and Invisible AI. We want to see companies that are doing anything with XR or extended reality operations as well as companies having to do with AI that can be used in production facilities.
Manufacturing is changing. Industry 4.0 is here to stay. Make the connections to secure your business in the future of advanced manufacturing. Register for Integr8 2023 today at https://www.integr8conference.com/registration.
Sign up today for a free Essential Membership to Automation Alley to keep your finger on the pulse of digital transformation in Michigan and beyond.
What does the All-Access Pass get you that General Admission doesn't?
- Keynote Presentations: by Fraunhofer USA and Epic Games
- KEYNOTE PRESENTERS:
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- Breakout Sessions: designed to give greater detail into the inner workings of Industry 4.0 presented by subject matter experts.
- Roundtables: allow for conversation amongst industry leaders and attendees. Address key issues related to advanced manufacturing, and discuss opportunities to accelerate technology adoption.
- Breakfast & Lunch
Network with Industry 4.0 leaders, engage in group discussions on topics impacting your business, and learn what others are doing to advance in their fields.
SMART TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION FEATURING:
- Cobots & Autonomous Mobile Robots
- Additive Manufacturing
- Augmented and Virtual Reality
- Big Data and Information Systems
- Digital Work Instructions
- Machine Monitoring/Control Systems
- And Much More!
REGISTER NOW
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TECHNOLOGY
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Standards in Global Advanced Manufacturing Systems Join Fraunhofer experts to discuss the importance of digital standards when adopting software on manufacturing lines to better increase production output and efficiency, lower downtime, and boost workforce confidence, untapping hidden economic value. Furthering Digitization on the Factory Floor Join Fraunhofer experts to discuss how data and AI can improve workforce efficiency, increase safety and security of operations, and understand how digital twins may prevent errors before they occur, saving manufacturers time and money while increasing employee retention. Green Hydrogen’s Future There’s room for hydrogen and batteries to coexist as new energy and mobility technologies, each with their respective industry segments growing thanks to increased customer demand as well as federal and state government incentives. Join Fraunhofer experts as they discuss the future use cases for Hydrogen and Battery technologies, potential overlap areas, and technology challenges and barriers. WORKFORCE
Building a Strong Talent Pipeline: Industry & Academic Collaboration Partnerships between higher education and employers are critical to helping businesses respond to growing talent needs—especially as technology rapidly advances. This roundtable will highlight a collaboration between Lear-Flint and UM-Flint and will focus on talent needs, Industry 4.0 skill sets and credentials. Women in Manufacturing: Past, Present, and Future Capital Area Manufacturing Council Executive Director Cindy Kangas will share the important role women have played in manufacturing over the past 100 years and the future of STEM careers for those in the talent pipeline. Innovative Pathways to Industry 4.0 Talent Lawrence Technological University will host a roundtable discussion aimed at supporting the next generation of Industry 4.0 workers. Join leaders in K-12, Community College, Higher Education and Industry as they share important insights on Michigan’s talent pipeline.
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About Automation Alley
Automation Alley is a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center and home to the World Economic Forum's US Center for Advanced Manufacturing. With a global outlook and a regional focus, we facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education, and government to fuel Michigan's economy and accelerate innovation. Our programs give businesses a competitive advantage by helping them along every step of their digital transformation journey. We obsess over disruptive technologies like AI, the Internet of Things, and automation, and work hard to make these complex concepts easier for companies to understand and implement. Visit automationalley.com.
INTEGR8: The Industry 4.0 Conference
May 9, 2023 -- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Suburban Collection Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI, 48374
| REGISTER NOW |
Photos as shared and provided by Automation Alley,
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