Robotics Webinar: Why Robotics Hardware Can’t Keep Up With Robotics Innovation
A Live Executive Panel Discussion On The Manufacturing Gap Holding Robotics Companies Back
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Why This Conversation Matters Now
Robotics innovation is accelerating. Humanoid robots, autonomous systems, industrial automation, medical robotics, and AI-enabled machines are moving from concept to market faster than traditional hardware development cycles can support.
But while software can iterate continuously, hardware still has to be sourced, manufactured, tested, validated, and scaled. That is where the pressure is building.
Why Robotics Needs a New Manufacturing Response
26–52
That’s weeks. Lead times for robotics-grade components are stretching timelines and forcing teams to make sourcing decisions earlier.
Scaling
Design choices that work for early builds can create expensive problems when volumes increase.
Hardware
Software can iterate quickly, but physical systems still depend on manufacturable designs, qualified suppliers, and reliable production capacity.
Readiness
The robotics companies best positioned to scale will be the ones that address manufacturability before production pressure arrives.
Watch On-Demand
Why Robotics Hardware Can’t Keep Up With Robotics Innovation
A Live Executive Panel Discussion On The Manufacturing Gap Holding Robotics Companies Back
Our Panelists
Ted Rozier
Director of Digital Advanced Technology and Robotics | Festo
Ted Rozier is the Director of Digital Advanced Technology & Robotics for the Festo Didactic Solution Center North America in Mason, Ohio. He brings 20 years of prior experience leading automation engineering for Doosan Infracore Machine Tool Corp.
Ted is passionately dedicated to advancing Festo Didactic as a global leader in Industry 4.0 learning factories, systematically preparing individuals for complex industrial environments.
Courtney Fernandez
Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer | Relativity Space
Courtney is a Senior Robotics Hardware Engineer at Relativity Space, where she focuses on using robots for manufacturing. She brings nearly 20 years of experience across embedded systems, control systems, vision systems, and robotic systems.
A UC Santa Cruz graduate, Courtney has built her career at the intersection of robotics and advanced manufacturing, helping translate complex automation technologies into real-world production environments.
Bobby Yousesefi
Strategic Account Manager | Fathom
Bobby Youssefi is a Strategic Account Manager at Fathom Manufacturing, where he supports robotics customers across prototype and production manufacturing programs. He brings more than a decade of experience in technology sales, working with startups, OEMs, major enterprises, and federal customers.
Bobby has worked with companies including Xometry and Machina Labs, as well as manufacturing-focused startups in on-demand manufacturing and robotic fabrication.
What We’ll Explore
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The Hardware Bottleneck Behind Robotics Innovation
- Why AI and software development cycles are outpacing physical manufacturing timelines
- Where robotics hardware teams are feeling the most pressure
- Why speed to prototype does not always translate to speed to scale
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The Hidden Cost of Prototype-Stage Decisions
- How early design choices can create production, quality, and sourcing challenges later
- Why manufacturability needs to enter the conversation earlier
- What engineering and NPI teams should evaluate before moving beyond prototype
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Supply Chain Pressure in Robotics Manufacturing
- Why long-lead components are forcing earlier planning and greater sourcing discipline
- Where supplier limitations can slow commercialization
- How robotics companies can reduce risk through smarter manufacturing and sourcing strategies
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What It Takes to Move From Prototype to Production
- How to identify the right manufacturing path for complex robotics hardware
- Why cross-functional alignment matters across engineering, supply chain, and operations
- What separates robotics companies that scale successfully from those that stall after prototype
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for leaders responsible for developing, sourcing, and scaling robotics and automation hardware, including:
- Robotics engineering leaders
- New product introduction and product development teams
- Supply chain and sourcing leaders
- Operations and manufacturing decision-makers
- Product leaders bringing robotic systems to market
- Executives navigating commercialization, scale, and production readiness
If your organization is building robotic systems, preparing to scale production, or trying to reduce the friction between innovation and manufacturability, this discussion is built for you.
