In episode 35 of The Downtime, a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media, co-host Sarah Wynn talks with Christine Bush, director of Schneider Electric’s robotic center of excellence, about how artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and digital twin technology are influencing packaging machinery.
Recorded in Las Vegas at Schneider Electric’s 2025 Innovation Summit, the conversation covers how machine builders are designing flexible equipment with data-driven decision-making and long-term scalability in mind.
Where AI, robotics, and digital twins intersect
As AI continues to evolve across industries, Bush explained how the technology is influencing packaging lines. “Artificial intelligence is consistently looking at the product coming in,” she said. “You don’t necessarily have to wait for a changeover.”
This intelligence allows equipment to adjust paths, profiles, and actions as conditions on the line change, supporting OEMs with more adaptive packaging operations.
Bush also emphasized that AI, digital twins, and robotics shouldn’t be treated as standalone tools, but instead designed to work together as part of modern packaging systems.
“Digital transformation every day makes me think that this is a place for robotics. It’s a place for artificial intelligence, and it’s a place for digital twin technology,” she said. “I don’t think one trumps the other. I think these are systems that are going to work in tandem with each other.”
READ MORE | The invisible upgrade: how AI and digital twins are reshaping packaging machinery
Bush explained that digital twin technology can test and validate machine learning behavior long before equipment ever reaches the plant floor, allowing OEMs to reduce development timelines and risk as systems become more complex.
Scaling automation to combat the labor shortage
Bush said the skilled labor gap is influencing how manufacturers operate. “Most studies are indicating that between now and 2030, there will be around 2 million open jobs,” she said.
To address those workforce challenges, Bush said higher levels of automation and robotics are becoming necessary to maintain consistent production.
“We don’t have enough people today to do the jobs, and higher levels of automation and robotics are going to be deployed where we can’t find skilled labor,” she said.
Listen to the full interview on The Downtime and stay tuned for part two with Schneider Electric’s Dante Vaccaro, coming to the podcast in the next few weeks.
Episode 35 | Show notes & time stamps
00:17 – Co-hosts open the show and kick off season two of The Downtime podcast
02:04 – Headline segment: Kasprzak shares a story on boosting air compressor efficiency from Plant Engineering
02:49 – Wynn highlights top stories and podcast episodes from 2025 on Packaging OEM’s website
03:30 – Wynn introduces this week’s guest, Christine Bush, director of Schneider Electric’s robotic center of excellence
04:14 – Interview with Bush begins
05:02 – Discussion on robotics in packaging operations
07:41 – Conversation shifts to AI, digital twins, and machine learning
10:21 – Bush addresses the skilled labor shortage and trends in the manufacturing workforce
11:42 – Advice for OEMs on getting started with robotics
12:33 – Bush outlines robotics trends for packaging automation in 2026
13:54 – Schneider Electric’s approach to flexible design, including motion controller technology
15:17 – Wynn wraps up the interview with Bush
15:22 – Preview of another Schneider Electric Innovation Summit interview coming soon, featuring the “Ferrari” of motion control technology. Wynn also encourages listeners to read Packaging OEM’s story on digital twins and AI in packaging machinery
16:38 – “New Year, New Me” game segment begins, featuring resolutions and personal anecdotes
22:09 – Co-hosts close out the show
About The Downtime podcast and co-hosts
The Downtime is a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media that features insights from its automation and controls publications. It’s co-hosted by Wynn, who serves as the senior editor (digital) for Packaging OEM, and Kasprzak, who is the executive editor for Plant Engineering, Control Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer.
New episodes drop every Thursday and are available on this website, along with YouTube, SoundCloud, and Spotify.
Check out The Downtime’s recent episodes
Episode 29: Fanuc’s robotic solutions for warehousing and material handling automation
Episode 30: Garvey debuts aluminum Bi-Flo accumulation table for non-washdown applications
Episode 31: Morrison Container Handling Solutions on timing screws and OEM support
Episode 32: Career insights for women in the trades from an engineer
Episode 33: Storytelling the year in packaging and manufacturing
Episode 34: Wrapping up packaging and manufacturing trends for 2025
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