Overcoming Technology Hesitancy with Plus One Robotics CEO Erik Nieves

Erik Nieves is a robotics expert and an individual who believes technology should be used to elevate human existence and well-being. Erik has a very long history in the robotics world and is the CEO and Co-Founder of Plus One Robotics, a company that makes vision software for logistics robots. More than that, they deliver a novel approach that allows industrial robots and humans to work together. If you're trying to figure out what all this means, you'll want to listen to this interview…

In this episode, Erik breaks down the problem of technology hesitancy, what that means for companies’ bottom lines, and the overall labor shortage in this industry. He explains how robots can help, but also where humans need to step in and lend a helping hand.

Erik explains why we need to be empathetic to those who are a little technology hesitant and try to understand why that is. He also shares some stories of how he first got started in robotics, what it’s done for his career, and why he’s never looked back since.

In this episode, find out:

• How Erik first got started in robotics
• What the phrase “robots work, people rule” means
• Why technology hesitancy is a bad thing for manufacturing
• Why we need to understand why people are hesitant
• The mindset shift that needs to happen for people to embrace robotics
• Why keeping technology exclusive to remain competitive as a brand is bad for everyone

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Robots are pretty good, but they're not going to be all the way. So when they need help, they raise their hand and go, can you give me a leg up on this? And that's when the human intervenes.”
• “If you are hesitant to bring in technologies that will get the work done a different way, well guess what, you're just going to run your people ragged.”
• “Robots work, people rule is first off an admission that technology can only take you so far.”

Links & mentions:

• Plus One Robotics, providing vision software for logistics robots that delivers an unparalleled approach to human-robot collaboration to tackle the challenges of variability and workforce shortages
• Señor Veggie, a low-key, colorful eatery featuring an eclectic menu of organic, locally-sourced vegan eats in San Antonio, TX

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.