In this episode, Erik Reynolds sits down with Roberta Nelson Shea, Global Technical Compliance Officer at Teradyne Robotics, covering Universal Robots and MiR, and ISO convener for TC 299, for a wide-ranging conversation on how safety evolves across robotics, automation, and emerging technologies.
Drawing on decades of experience and her role in shaping standards such as ISO TS 15066 and ISO 10218, Roberta discusses why modern safety standards focus on goals rather than prescriptions, where compliance and safety diverge, and why machines cannot interpret risk the way humans do. The conversation spans collaborative robots, legacy factory equipment, autonomous vehicles, and AI-enabled safety systems, including a candid exchange on expectations around risk and the idea that “zero” is still a number when it comes to safety outcomes.
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Erik talks with Jens Müller, founder and managing director of Müller & Partner Sachverständige (M&P Experts) and longtime robotics safety specialist, about how safety fits into innovation for robots, mobile systems, and emerging humanoids. They dig into why standards matter, how to think about safety from the very first concept, and what startups and investors should know about compliance if they want to scale globally.
Along the way, Jens shares lessons from three decades in industrial automation and why safety can be a real accelerator, not a roadblock. The conversation highlights how clear guidance and a structured safety approach help teams navigate new technologies with confidence.
More on Müller & Partner Sachverständige (M&P Experts): https://mp-sachverstaendige.de/
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Erik talks with Ashley Weis, Senior Technical Writer and Project Coordinator at Reynolds and Moore, who also leads the company’s cybersecurity efforts. They explore how documentation, coordination, and clear communication support the safety lifecycle and help teams manage complex projects from the start.
Ashley discusses her path into safety from chemical manufacturing and shares how functional safety training, process improvement, and cybersecurity awareness shape her work across projects at Reynolds and Moore.
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Erik talks with Dr. Chris Boyer, Associate Professor of Practice and one of the founding faculty of the new Resource and Energy Engineering program at the University of Texas at Arlington, and Principal at Amber Waves Energy. They explore how innovation and safety shape the future of energy, from hydrogen and solar to large-scale battery storage and the changing architecture of the power grid.
Chris shares lessons from decades of work bridging academia and industry, explaining how real-world experience, evolving safety codes, and hands-on learning are driving the next generation of engineers.
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Host Erik Reynolds talks with David Felio, President and CEO of The Realtime Group, about how regulation and standards are shaping the future of AI in safety-critical systems.
They discuss California’s SB 53, what it could mean for physical AI, and how emerging standards like ISO/IEC TS 22440 are guiding risk assessment and certification.
The conversation also touches on engineering culture, medical devices, and how safety can become a competitive advantage.
More on The Realtime Group: https://therealtimegroup.com/
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Returning guest Marcel Stieber joins Erik to explore how safety can move beyond the background and become a defining product feature. Drawing on his journey from robotics functional safety to leading battery and product safety for a global fleet, Marcel shares how reliability, cost, and risk intersect in the devices people rely on every day.
They discuss what certification labels really mean, why recalls can sometimes build confidence, and how second-life batteries and new energy technologies are reshaping expectations.
Marcel also reflects on lessons from serving as a safety officer for a 36-hour wilderness adventure race, showing how planning, redundancy, and trust translate from the mountains to modern product design.
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In this episode of Safety Third: Autonomous Revolution, Erik talks with his longtime friend Ryan Batchelor, a a military officer in the United States Navy and founder of Crux Leaders LLC, about what it takes to lead when the pressure is on. Ryan shares stories nearly 3 decades of flying with the Navy, managing complex operations, and building teams that work when the stakes are high.
The conversation looks at what it means to shift from a fixed to a growth mindset, how to lead by influence instead of command, and why you need to grow leaders before the moment you need them. From the flight line to the boardroom, Ryan shows how preparation, trust, and adaptability make the difference.
More on Crux Leaders: www.cruxleaders.org
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Eugene Demaitre, Editorial Director at WTWH Media, joins the Safety Third Podcast: Autonomous Revolution Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of robotics, AI, and automation.
From robot safety standards and the rise of humanoids to public perception and policy gaps, Eugene shares insights from his years covering the industry. He and Erik dig into what it takes to design for trust, how robots are changing everyday life, and why human factors might be the most important part of innovation. Plus, Eugene shares the surprisingly dangerous thing he did back in college that ties directly into how we think about risk today.
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Patrick (Pat) Barry joins Erik Reynolds on the Safety Third: Autonomous Revolution Podcast to share his journey from carrying Stinger missiles in the Army to overseeing compliance at Mobile Industrial Robots. They talk about early lessons in functional safety, navigating complex standards, and how new technologies like AI and advanced sensing are changing the game.
Pat shares stories from the field, insights on building a safety culture, and why staying involved in standards is one of the most valuable things an engineer can do.
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In this episode of Safety Third: Autonomous Revolution Podcast, Erik talks with Chris Quick, founder of RealBotics and co-author of Robotic Safety Systems: An Applied Approach. They dig into what it really means to bootstrap a robotics company, the realities of applying safety in remote-controlled systems, and how human oversight can play a critical role in a world leaning on AI.
Chris shares the story behind RealBotics’ remote node (aka the “magic box”), his thoughts on building trust with customers without outside funding, and what safety often misses in real-world operations. Plus, hear about the close call that changed how Chris thinks about risk on the job.
Chris Quick's Book Robotic Safety Systems: An Applied Approach
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In this episode, Erik interviews Torrey Smith, co-founder of Endiatx, who shares his journey from a unique childhood to the forefront of medical technology with the development of PillBot, a steerable robot designed to navigate the human body.
Torrey discusses the inspiration behind his work, the challenges of bringing innovative medical devices to market, and the potential impact of early detection in healthcare. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration with the medical community and the rigorous process of FDA approval, while also reflecting on the personal growth and lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.
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Join us in this engaging episode as we sit down with Mark and Chris from Sensory Robotics. Discover their fascinating journey from creating sword-fighting robots to pioneering safety solutions in the robotics industry. Learn how their innovative approach is transforming traditional safety measures, enabling seamless human-robot collaboration, and redefining productivity in manufacturing. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a safety professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of robotics and safety. Tune in to explore how Sensory Robotics is leading the charge in making workplaces safer and more efficient.
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Join us on the Safety Third Podcast as we dive into a fascinating conversation with Rainer Aunpu, an innovative entrepreneur from Estonia. Discover Rainer's unique journey from working in a chocolate factory to pioneering personal air transport with his company, Vertiflier.
Explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world of safety, technology, and entrepreneurship. Whether you're an engineer, a business enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of air mobility, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.
Tune in for an engaging discussion on risk management, innovation, and the exciting possibilities of personal flight.
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In this episode of the Safety Third podcast, host Erik Reynolds speaks with Sven Nowak, head of cybersecurity and functional safety at TÜV Rheinland North America. They discuss Sven's journey from Germany to Japan and Singapore, his experiences during the Fukushima disaster, and the evolution of safety standards in the rail industry.
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Join us for a discussion with Jo Ihrke on software in safety systems, managing expectations, emerging technologies, and strategies for ensuring technology safety.
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Join us as we discuss third-party damage, the pipeline industry, mega rules, innovation, and more with Andy Florence.
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Join us as we talk about practical work experience, education, pilot training, and more with James Gibson.
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Join us as we talk about elements of design, certification programs, and more with Otto Hughes.
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Join us as we discuss understanding audience, critical thinking in engineering processes, technical documentation, and more with Ali Walker.
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Join us as we talk about marketing, changes in Odense, research, innovation, and more with Soren Land.
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