Naveen Arulselvan
Chief Technology Officer, Ati Motors
Follow on LinkedInDr. Naveen Arulselvan is the Chief Technology Officer at ATI, where he leads the end-to-end technology strategy for industrial autonomous mobile robots and factory automation. His work spans 3D-LiDAR perception and navigation, fleet management across cloud/edge, and safety & certification-readiness aligned with ISO 3691-4.
He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University; he has also served as visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Science’s Center for Cyber-Physical Systems.
Session(s):
The 4S Playbook for Robot Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 2:30 PM (CST)
Patrick Barry
Safety and Compliance, MiR
Follow on LinkedInPat Barry is a functional safety subject matter expert with more than 25 years of experience in safety and automation systems design, robotics safety, and functional safety education and training. After first being exposed to safety applications in the entertainment industry, Pat served as a safety applications engineer, a safety consultant, and as a principal for robotics safety at a large online retailer. Today, Pat leads the global regulatory compliance efforts for MiR, a manufacturer of industrial mobile robots. Pat is a veteran of the US Army, has earned a BSEE from North Carolina State University, an MBA in international business from Tennessee Technological University, and is a certified Functional Safety Expert.
Session(s):
Considerations for Mobile Robotics: Updates & the Latest Developments | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 3:30 PM (CST)
Nathan Bivans
CTO, FORT Robotics
Follow on LinkedInNathan Bivans is the Chief Technology Officer at FORT Robotics, where he leads the development of trusted control systems for the safe, secure, and dynamic operation of autonomous and semi-autonomous machines. With more than a decade of experience at the intersection of robotics, wireless communication, and functional safety, Nathan brings a safety-first mindset to solving the complex challenges of machine control in real-world environments. He also leads FORT’s work on proactive safety for AI-driven systems, including a collaboration with NVIDIA to advance safety across the autonomy stack.
Nathan was previously the CTO of Humanistic Robotics, Inc., where he developed and patented a wireless safety protocol designed for dangerous applications in landmine clearance. Nathan has also worked with Motorola USA– where he designed high-performance, fully-redundant systems for video and data transmission– and Apple Computer, where his team was central to mobile computer designs, including the world’s first 17″ laptop. Nathan holds both a B.S. and M.E. with concentrations in signal processing and computer systems from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a Certified Machine Safety Expert, CMSE®, and a passionate advocate for designing safety into every layer of robotic control.
Session(s):
PANEL: The Emerging Role of AI in Robotic Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 10:30 AM (CST)
Bob Bollinger
Owner, Dynamic Horizons Automation Solutions LLC
Bob has over 35 years of experience in the creative application of robotics, collaborative robotics, mobile robotics, and automation technology to solve challenging problems and create business opportunity. Prior to founding Dynamic Horizons, Bob was a Technical Director for Applied Robotics Innovation at Procter & Gamble. There he identified new and innovative robotic technologies to leverage throughout the company. He was also responsible for setting technical direction and deploying global standard approaches for robotics within P&G. Bob is also an active member of several safety standards committees, including industrial robot standards RIA R15.06 the industrial mobile robot standard RIA R15.08.
Session(s):
What is Risk Assessment & Why It Matters? | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 10:45 AM (CST)Introduction to Mobile Robot Risk Assessment | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 10:30 AM (CST)
Marcellus Buchheit
President & CEO, Wibu-Systems USA Inc.
Follow on LinkedInMarcellus Buchheit is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of WIBU-SYSTEMS AG in Karlsruhe, Germany. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Wibu-Systems USA, Inc., located in Edmonds, WA where he resides.
Marcellus earned his Master of Science degree in computing science at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany in 1989. In the same year, he co-founded Wibu-Systems together with Oliver Winzenried. As the original architect and first software developer of the company’s successful CodeMeter, WibuKey, and SmartShelter product lines, he is well known in his field for his expertise in designing innovative techniques to protect software against reverse-engineering, tampering, and debugging. The products he designed have never been cracked by hackers in multiple public global contests.
Marcellus was an active member of the international Industry IoT Consortium (IIC), where he was involved in security, trustworthiness, and monetization initiatives between 2015 and 2023. He is one of the editors and authors of the Industry IoT Security Framework (IISF) document – a foundational publication.
He is a frequently invited speaker at industry events and has accepted many industry awards on behalf of Wibu-Systems, including SIIA CODiE awards in 2017, 2014 and 2009 in recognition of CodeMeter as the Best Content Rights and Entitlement Solution.
Session(s):
Software Security in Robotics: Aligning with the EU Cyber Resilience Act | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 1:30 PM (CST)
Bill Edwards
Sr. Manager, Collaborative Robotics, Yaskawa Motoman
Bill Edwards has 33 years of experience in Engineering Management, Project Management, and Industrial Control Systems Design and Application. He is also a member of ISO and ANSI Industrial Robot and Industrial Mobile Robot Safety committees. Currently Serving as Vice Chair of R15.06
Session(s):
New Requirements for Robotic Users: A Look Ahead to R15.06-Part 3 & R15.08-Part 3 | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 10:45 AM (CST)
Carole Franklin
Director of Standards Development, Robotics, Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
Carole Franklin is the Director of Standards Development, Robotics, for the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). She leads A3’s standards development activities in developing the ANSI and ISO Robot Safety Standards. Before joining RIA, Carole spent over four years with management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where she led projects on business process improvement, internal communications, and executive communications. Prior to Booz Allen, Carole worked for Ford Motor Company for ten years in the market research department, where she led consumer research projects and tracking studies. Carole holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan.
Session(s):
A Guide to Robot Standards: The Standards & Terminology That You Need to Know | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 9:45 AM (CST)Humanoids, Legged Robotics, & Other Mobile Robot Developments | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)
Ask the Experts Panel Discussion: Your Questions on Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 4:00 PM (CST)
Jeff Fryman
Consultant, Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
Jeff Fryman is a retired United States Air Force officer. His 21-year career included eleven years’ experience as a Program Manager overseeing technical training programs.
For a second career, Jeff joined the Robotic Industries Association as their Director of Standards Development until his retirement in 2013. His 17-years at the RIA saw him responsible for the development of both the 1999 and 2012 editions of the ANSI/RIA R15.06 American National Standard for Industrial Robot Safety. He was also responsible for organizing the annual National Robot Safety Conference and numerous smaller safety events. In his roll at RIA, Jeff developed curricula for robot safety training, and taught hundreds of classes featuring the R15.06 methodology for conducting Risk Assessment. He also assisted in consulting on Risk Assessment and Robot Safety, and continues in his training roll with the association.
Internationally, Jeff was the Convener for ISO TC184/SC2 WG3, the committee responsible for developing the ISO 10218-1 and -2 International Standards for Industrial Robot Safety. Domestically, Jeff was the Vice-chair for the ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 committee; the standard for Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods. He has also been involved in other standards development efforts including the Canadian Standards Association committees for Robot Safety and Hazardous Energy Control; the Underwriters’ Laboratories Standards Technical Panel for UL1740 (robot safety); AMT and B11 Inc. ANSI Accredited Standards Committee for Safety of Machines – B11; and an advisor to the American Welding Society’s D16 committee for robotic welding.
Outside interests include all aspects of railroad operations. His model railroading activities include standards development and participation in regional and national events. And finally, Jeff never denies “going around in circles”; particularly when he is doing volunteer work for a railway museum where he is a qualified antique trolley operator.
Jeff resides in Saline, Michigan; outside of Ann Arbor.
Session(s):
What is Risk Assessment & Why It Matters? | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 10:45 AM (CST)Introduction to Collaborative Safety & Risk Assessment | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 8:30 AM (CST)
Jorge Gomez
Compliance Assistance Specialist, OSHA
With over two decades of experience in environmental safety and health roles, this professional brings a deep and specialized background to the field. He holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering, an M.S. in Occupational Safety Management, and holds the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. A significant portion of their career has been dedicated to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), where he has spent eight years as a Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO), during which he conducted on-site inspections, identifying hazards to ensure workplace safety and health standards were met. His time as a Compliance Safety and Health Officer has been followed by five years as a Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), focusing on helping employers understand and adhere to safety and health regulations. His diverse experience, ranging from regulatory enforcement to cooperative compliance provides a comprehensive understanding of occupational safety and health practices from both sides of the table.
Session(s):
An OSHA Perspective on Industrial Robot Safety | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 4:30 PM (CST)
Adam Haroz
Director of Engineering, Conversion Technology Inc
Follow on LinkedInAdam Haroz is the Director of Engineering at Conversion Technology Inc., an environmental and safety engineering consulting firm in Norcross, GA. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. He is a member of the ANSI/A3 R15.06 and R15.08 rulemaking committees and a member of the OSHA/NIOS/A3 alliance. He has vast knowledge and experience in robotics safety and conducting robot system risk assessments. He has also assisted numerous industrial facilities in the safe design of robotics and automation systems, as well as safeguard selection and implementation, including in hazardous environments.
Session(s):
Conventional Industrial Robot Cells: Use Cases, Common Hazards & Considerations | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 1:00 PM (CST)
Jamison Harrell-Latham
Senior Regulatory Compliance Engineer, Amazon Robotics
Follow on LinkedInJamison is currently a Senior Regulatory Compliance Engineer at Amazon Robotics, where he leads the evaluation of automation and robotic applications to ensure safe design in compliance with key industry standards, including the EU Machinery Directive, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, CE marking/NRTL, and ISO 13849.
He is an active contributor to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), serving on the Technical Advisory Committees for both R15.06 and R15.08 standards. Most recently, he was appointed Vice Chair of the R15.08 Drafting Team, reflecting his leadership and expertise in the field.
Jamison holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Murray State University. He is a Certified Safety Professional, a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TÜV NORD), and an ANSI B11 Licensed Machinery Safety Specialist. With over 25 years of experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety, Jamison brings a deep understanding of regulatory compliance and risk mitigation to the forefront of industrial automation safety.
Session(s):
Conventional Industrial Robot Cells: Use Cases, Common Hazards & Considerations | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 1:00 PM (CST)
Brian Heater
Managing Editor, Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
Brian Heater is A3’s Managing Editor. During his 20+ year career in technology journalism, he has worked as Hardware Editor at TechCrunch, Managing Editor at Tech Times, and Director of Media at Engadget. He is the host of the RiYL podcast and lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with his two rabbits, June and Flash.
Session(s):
PANEL: The Emerging Role of AI in Robotic Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 10:30 AM (CST)
Mark Lewandowski
Director - Robotics & Machine Safety, Procter & Gamble
Mark Lewandowski is the Director of Robotics and Machine Safety for Procter & Gamble’s Global Engineering division. He is a passionate advocate for robotics and automation in his company and for the robotics industry around the world. He has 35 years of robotics, machine controls, and machine safety experience with Procter & Gamble in high-speed converting, packaging, and robotics applications. Mark leads the P&G Robotics and Machine Safety team that is responsible for deploying robotics and automation across the company.
Mark is also very active in the robotics industry around the world. He is a member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) Robotics Technology Strategy Board, Chair Emeritus of the A3 Robotics Standards Development Committee, Chair of the A3 Robotics Standards Approval Committee, and participates in several industry standard development groups for robotics, mobile robotics, and machine safety in the U.S. and globally.
Session(s):
Considerations for Collaborative Applications: Use Cases, Changes & Updates in ISO 10218 | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)Ask the Experts Panel Discussion: Your Questions on Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 4:00 PM (CST)
Riccardo Mariani
VP of Industry Safety, NVIDIA
Follow on LinkedInRiccardo Mariani is the vice president of industry safety at NVIDIA and leads the NVIDIA Halos initiative. He's responsible for developing cohesive safety strategies and cross-segment safety processes, architecture, and products that can be leveraged across NVIDIA’s artificial intelligence-based hardware and software platforms.
Session(s):
Physical AI & Robot Safety: Standardization Landscape & Use Cases | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 11:15 AM (CST)
Gianpiero Negri
Principal Manager - Robotics Safety Center of Excellence (RS CoE), Amazon
Follow on LinkedInGianpiero Negri received the MSc degree summa cum laude in Computer Engineering from Salerno University, a post MSc degree in Industrial Research, Mechatronics and Automation from CNR-ITIA (Italian National Research Council - Institute of Industrial Technologies and Automation, 2005). He also holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (dissertation title “A Game Theoretical Approach to Safe Decision-Making System Development for Autonomous Machines”). He’s currently the Global Head of the Amazon Global Robotics Safety Center of Excellence, leading the definition and implementation of the robotics and AI safety strategy for advanced technology innovation, research, development, implementation, validation, and certification. He’s also been co-leading the European Amazon Innovation Lab, focused on the development and testing of next generation AI-powered robotics. In 2004, he joined the Italian National Research Council (CNR) as a researcher in the field of Mechatronics. Since 2007, he has been a technical leader and scientific responsible for several R&D programs in the field of advanced mechatronics, robotics, and industrial automation. Since 2017, he’s been a member of ISO technical committees and working groups focused on the development of autonomous machine safety and functional safety standards: ISO/IEC JTC1/SC42 – Artificial Intelligence, ISO TC 299/WG3 focused on industrial robotics safety/integrated robotic systems, etc. Since 2018, he has been an IEEE Computer Society – IEEE Software reviewer. His current research interests include mechatronics, functional safety, automotive control systems, sensors, system engineering, robotics, electronic control systems of advanced machines, scientific dissemination, and artificial intelligence. He is the author of several scientific and dissemination papers in the field of mechatronics, robotics, and artificial intelligence, and he holds several patents in mechatronics and automotive related fields. He has been an invited speaker and panelist for some of the major global conferences and events in the robotics and AI fields (NVIDIA GTC, IRSC, ICRA, Safecomp, Automate, Amazon RiskCon, ECML PKDD, etc.)
Session(s):
Building a Robotics Safety Center of Excellence: Challenges and Opportunities | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 9:15 AM (CST)
Roberta Nelson Shea
Global Technical Compliance Officer, Universal Robots
Responsible for global UR product compliance, risk management, and reducing barriers to acceptance of UR robots for collaborative applications. Over 45+ years’ experience in automation safety and standardization.
Honored as …
- Recipient of the 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger “Nobel Prize of Robotics” award (safety).
- Recipient of the 2022 Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA USA.
- 1 of the “Twenty Women Making Their Mark in Robotics & Automation” by Smart Manufacturing (SME) in February 2021.
- 1 of the “100 Women in Safety in 100 years” by the American Society of Safety Professionals (known then as ASSE) in 2011. One of the 100 Women – Making a Difference in Safety
- Chair Emeritus of A3’s standardization activities, awarded in 2016. A3 was formerly known as RIA (Robotic Industries Association).
- Past member of the board of directors of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and of RIA (now known as A3).
National robot safety standardization activities:
- Since 1982, the only consistently active robot safety standards expert.
- Chair for 23 years of the US Robot Safety Committee (R15.06).
- Active for 45 years in various American National machinery safety standards.
- Expert member of the NIOSH/ OSHA/ RIA Alliance.
ISO and US national standardization in automation and safety:
- Convenor: TC299 WG3 Industrial robotics (ISO 10218 & TS15066).
- Convenor: TC299 SG1 Study group on TC299 Robotics structure.
- Expert member: TC199 Safety of machinery, TC110/SC2/WG3 Safety of industrial trucks & various IEC working groups.
- Expert member in various US and Canadian standards committees: safety, robotics, plastics machinery and IEEE.
- Certified Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland).
BS Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a Masters degree in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management (ASEM) from the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Before UR, lead Rockwell’s global safety component product management organization. Preceding Rockwell, held leadership positions at Symbotic, AMT and Pilz USA, with a career start at P&G.
Session(s):
Considerations for Collaborative Applications: Use Cases, Changes & Updates in ISO 10218 | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)A Deeper Dive into the Updates to ISO 10218 (R15.06): What's New & What's Next | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 8:30 AM (CST)
Ask the Experts Panel Discussion: Your Questions on Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 4:00 PM (CST)
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Kevin Reese
Distinguished Robotics Safety Engineer, Agility Robotics
Follow on LinkedInKevin Reese is a Distinguished Robotics Safety Engineer at Agility Robotics and the Project Leader for ISO 25785-1 within ISO/TC 299/WG 12, the international working group developing the first safety standard dedicated to dynamically stable industrial mobile robots which includes legged, wheeled balancing, and humanoid systems.
With a background spanning robotics safety strategy, industrial standards development, and real-world deployment, Kevin has been instrumental in shaping the emerging safety landscape for next-generation mobile robots. At Agility Robotics, he leads safety engineering for Digit, a bipedal robot designed for logistics and industrial tasks. His work bridges technical implementation and safety governance, ensuring safe integration of dynamically stable robots into industrial environments.
Kevin is deeply engaged in international standardization. As the Project Leader for ISO 25785-1, he is spearheading a new Type-C standard to address the safety requirements of robots that rely on active control for stability which is an increasingly critical category as legged and humanoid robots rapidly transition from emerging technologies to active roles in warehouses and industrial operations worldwide. The work of ISO 25785-1 under Kevin’s leadership addresses a critical gap left by prior standards like ANSI/RIA R15.08, and is paving the way for broader international consensus around safety requirements for this rapidly advancing field.
Kevin brings a unique systems-level perspective to safety working not only on the robots themselves but also on how they interact with people, infrastructure, and operational processes. He has partnered closely with EHS teams, vendors, and customers to ensure robots like Digit can be safely and effectively deployed in structured industrial spaces.
Session(s):
Humanoids, Legged Robotics, & Other Mobile Robot Developments | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)
Benedikt Rohrssen
Attorney-at-Law (Germany), Taylor Wessing
Follow on LinkedInDr. Benedikt Rohrßen leads the Commercial Agreements & Distribution team at international law firm Taylor Wessing. With over 15 years of experience, he helps companies navigate European market access, structure distribution systems, and ensure product compliance—especially for AI-powered products. His focus: highly regulated sectors like electronics, engineering, and automotive.
Benedikt is editor of the Zeitschrift für Vertriebsrecht, a frequent speaker and author on distribution, product liability, and AI regulation, and a lecturer at Munich Business School. He also serves as Germany’s expert for the International Distribution Institute, is a Bitkom-certified AI manager, and contributes to Bitkom’s AI Act Task Force.
Session(s):
EU Regulatory Deep Dive: AI Act, Machinery Regulation & Cyber Resilience Act – What Robotics Leaders Must Know | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)
Maren Roush
Manager of Standards Development, Robotics, Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
Maren Roush [MAH-ren ROWSH] has more than two decades of experience with testing, inspection and certification organizations and standards development organizations (SDOs). She joined the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) as Standards Manager in January of 2022 after almost 26 years with NSF International. At NSF, she’d spent the last 8 years as manager of NSF’s Biosafety Cabinet Certification and Personnel Accreditation Programs. Maren has bachelors and masters degrees in Environmental Science from Wesleyan University and Eastern Michigan University.
Session(s):
A Guide to Robot Standards: The Standards & Terminology That You Need to Know | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 9:45 AM (CST)
Craig Salvalaggio
President, Applied Manufacturing Technologies
Craig Salvalaggio has served the role as the Chief Operating Officer of AMT for the past 3 years which has recently allowed him to take on the additional responsibilities as Company President.
He leads overall operations of Applied Manufacturing Technologies along with sales, engineering, and talent management. His technical skills in automation and robotics combined with his leadership ability, led to his current role. His strategic mission is to continue driving growth and diversity of both the systems and services market segments. Craig brings over 20 years of automation experience to AMT and holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Lake Superior State University, a masters in operations management, and an MBA from Kettering University. Craig is actively involved in the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) as a board of director on the Robotics Tech Sector Board, committee member, and the Co-Chair of the Certified Integrator Committee. Craig is regular speaker and panelist on a variety of industry association events providing technical insights into emerging technologies, culture, and talent management.
Session(s):
The Role of Integrators in Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 10:00 AM (CST)
Christopher Savoia
Global Head of UR+ Ecosystem, Universal Robots
Christopher Savoia is the Global Head of the UR+ Ecosystem at Universal Robots, a Teradyne company. With a background in product development, engineering, and sales, Christopher leads the UR+ Program, which tests and approves 3rd party products for the Universal Robots platform. Chris has participated in the RIA standards since 2019. He is also the host of the ReAutomated podcast, where he explores the future of collaborative automation with thought leaders across the robotics landscape.
Session(s):
Enabling Dynamic Safety Through Open Interfaces | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 2:00 PM (CST)
Stuart Shepherd
President, Shepherd Solutions, Inc.
Stu Shepherd has over 48-years’ experience transforming manufacturing in the Americas through his leadership in the robotic automation industry.
He graduated in 1983 from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
His past experiences include automation integration roles at General Motors, and sales and top leadership roles at FANUC America Corporation, KUKA AG, Güdel AG, Universal Robots A/S, and consulting with Gain & Co. and HowToRobot.com.
He is the Co-Founder and President of Shepherd Solutions, Inc. Based in Rochester, Michigan, Stu provides clients with valuable advisory and consulting services focused on the creation and growth of new business development for automation OEMs and integrators, plus for the planning and implementing robotic automation for end-users.
Stu is a Past Chairperson at both the Robotic Industries Association (now known as the A3 Robotics Tech Strategy Board) and Association for Advancing Automation (A3), current A3 Robotics Tech Strategy Board Member, and R15.05/R15.08/SEC/SDC/US-TAG-299 Robot Safety Committees Member (includes standards development for humanoid dynamic stability and interoperability). Also, an American Welding Society (AWS) member serving on the D16 Robotic and Automatic Welding Committee.
Lastly, Stu has been internationally recognized for his contributions to the robotics automation industry as the 2025 recipient of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership.
Session(s):
Why Robot Safety Matters | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 8:45 AM (CST)Robotics and Arc Welding: Working Together Again | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 2:30 PM (CST)
Chris Soranno
Manager of International Safety Standards, SICK PCA
Follow on LinkedInChris Soranno is a Functional Safety Expert and Certified Functional Safety Application Expert Trainer with over 25 years of experience in industrial safety, automation, and standards development. As Manager of International Safety Standards at SICK Product & Competence Center Americas, he leads strategic initiatives to align global and regional safety standards with next-generation industrial technologies. A Fellow of ANSI B11 Standards and holder of multiple leadership roles in ANSI, ISO, IEC, CSA, and UL working groups, Chris has authored and contributed to numerous technical publications and international safety guidelines. He is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at global conferences on machinery safety, robotics, and risk assessment.
Session(s):
Considerations for Mobile Robotics: Updates & the Latest Developments | Monday, November 03, 2025 - 3:30 PM (CST)New Requirements for Robotic Users: A Look Ahead to R15.06-Part 3 & R15.08-Part 3 | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 10:45 AM (CST)
Declan Staunton
Principal Applications Engineer, Analog Devices
Follow on LinkedInDeclan Staunton works at Analog Devices as Principal Applications Engineer, responsible for industrial functional safety in particular industrial sensing, robotics and motion applications. Prior to joining Analog Devices, he has accumulated extensive experience in industrial automation, with a focus on robotics, motion control, and machinery safety, a career he has pursued since 1995. Declan holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering from Coventry University, a Master of Engineering in Electronic Systems from Dublin City University, and a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Limerick.
Session(s):
The Role of Functional Safety in Robotics | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 3:15 PM (CST)
Karthikeyan Subramaniam
CEO, Frizb Inc
Follow on LinkedInKarthi Subramaniam is the founder of Frizb.ai, a platform advancing AI Supervisor Agents that represent people in industrial environments. With over 20 years of experience in software development, networking, and cloud systems, Karthi leads efforts to bring real-time intelligence, automation, and safety assurance into factories and operational sites.
At Frizb, Karthi focuses on building agents that can observe operations through cameras and sensors, communicate on behalf of supervisors, and respond to questions in meetings. These agents can join Zoom or Teams calls, explain what is happening on the floor, and take action based on verbal instructions. By continuously monitoring compliance and process integrity, they complement robotic systems and enhance overall operational safety.
Karthi’s goal is to make it simple for anyone to create and deploy their own intelligent agents. Whether it’s an executive seeking weekly insights or a plant manager verifying adherence to safety standards, Frizb makes intelligent oversight accessible, scalable, and reliable.
Session(s):
PANEL: The Emerging Role of AI in Robotic Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 10:30 AM (CST)
Peter Swanson
Director - Research and Development, FANUC America Corporation
Follow on LinkedInPeter Swanson, Ph.D. is an R&D Director at FANUC America Corporation, responsible for robot controller software development in the areas of systems software and motion control.
While working over 25 years in product software development primarily in robot motion control, Peter earned several patents and a Henry Ford Technology Award. The robot motion features he developed have been deployed in approximately one million industrial robots so far. Robot motion control necessarily involves safety features, so he acquired expertise in industrial robot safety standards, and serves on the international industrial robot safety standards committee ISO/TC 299 WG3 and the related United States national committee ANSI/RIA R15.06.
Peter earned his BEE at the University of Minnesota, followed by Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan focused on control theory and robotics. He worked as a robotics postdoc at MEL (at that time, a Japanese national laboratory affiliated with MITI) and was the first FAC employee hired directly from Japan.
Session(s):
Ask the Experts Panel Discussion: Your Questions on Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 4:00 PM (CST)
Gerd Walter
President & COO, Creative Automation
Gerd Walter has worked in various capacities for Creative Automation over the last 29 years before being promoted to President & COO in 2017. He has directed the corporate initiatives to achieve A3 Certified Robotic Integrator Status and ISO 9001 certification as well as managing operations, purchasing and finance. More recently he has focused on developing several new customer segments for Creative and continuing its growth. Gerd holds an MBA from Michigan State University as well as several industry certifications including Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer (CMTSE) and Certified Vision Professional – Basic (CVP-Basic). He also is actively involved in the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and is Co-Chair of the Certified Integrator Committee and program.
Session(s):
The Role of Integrators in Robot Safety | Tuesday, November 04, 2025 - 10:00 AM (CST)
Thomas Wedlick
Safety and Compliance, Amazon Lab126
Thomas Wedlick, PhD, PE, is an expert in the safety and global compliance robotic and consumer devices. Dr. Wedlick has contributed to national and international robot and AI standard development, and has played a key role in launching some of the most advanced consumer robotic systems and electronic devices on the market.
Dr. Wedlick is a longtime member of multiple robot standard development committees, including ISO, IEC, UL, ANSI/A3/RIA, and US TAG committees. He is an expert member of the ISO/IEC Joint Work Group developing the first functional safety standard for AI applicable for robotic systems, and is also an expert member of IEC SC65a, which publishes the functional safety standard ISO 61508. Dr. Wedlick was responsible for the safety and compliance of the Amazon Astro robot— a first-of-its-kind home robot— and other groundbreaking robotics programs at Amazon. He has also led the safety and regulatory compliance teams for other Amazon devices loved by customers around the world, including Echos, Fire Tablets, Fire TVs and Sticks, and many others.
Prior to joining Amazon, Dr. Wedlick was a consultant at Exponent, where he advised companies in the design and analysis of new robotic, consumer electronic, and medical devices, and provided expert analysis for litigation. Dr. Wedlick holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and conducted robotics research at Stanford and Princeton Universities. He is a certified functional safety engineer by TÜV Rheinland.
Session(s):
Service Robot Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 8:30 AM (CST)PANEL: The Emerging Role of AI in Robotic Safety | Wednesday, November 05, 2025 - 10:30 AM (CST)
Martin Wuestefeld
Vice President - Research and Development, SICK AG
Martin Wüstefeld is Vice President of Global Research and Development at SICK Sensor Intelligence. He is responsible for functional safety and systems integration. Martin began his career at SICK in 1988, working on the fundamental development of various technologies that were later implemented in the first generation of safety laser scanners, safety light curtains, and vision systems.
His current research and development focus is on advanced technologies for application-oriented interaction between humans and machines, such as robots.
Since 1995, he has also been active as an expert, convenor, and chairperson in various national and international organizations in the field of safety-related standardization.