Welcome to the PEI Connects Podcast, I’m your host Zafar Jamati and this is your go-to source for everything related to electrical connectors. Whether you're an electrical engineer, a technician or simply someone who wants to learn more about this exciting field, this podcast has something for you. From the basics of connector design to the latest advances in material science and manufacturing, we'll cover it all.

In today’s episode we ask the question: Is AI the missing piece in revolutionising connector automation?

Picture this: a vast warehouse humming with activity, a symphony of machines working seamlessly to fulfil online grocery orders. A few years ago, as part of my role as a STEM PR consultant, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Ocado's customer fulfilment centre.

The UK-based online-only supermarket was one of the first to develop this kind of automation in response to the growing demand for online shopping. Back then many online supermarkets used conveyors to transport items to human pickers who would take what they needed to fulfil their order, placing the crate back on the conveyor to be replenished. This was a reliable but slow process where items would travel for many hours along conveyors.

In contrast, the new automation consisted of a sophisticated array of thousands of autonomous guided vehicles moving at high speed along a tall aluminium grid structure, picking and processing around 3.5m items, or some 65,000 customer orders a week. The system relied on an algorithm to drive the intelligence behind the robots’ movements. The scale of automation was mind-boggling — a hive of robots, a dance of technology, orchestrated with precision. A sneak peek into a future where efficiency meets elegance.

Today, these algorithms have evolved into fully fledged AI systems that can operate across the business, from fleet management, supply chain planning, warehouse management, virtual assistance, freight and more. In fact, according to MarketResearchGuru.com – the global AI in supply chain and logistics market was valued at over $5bn in 2022 and is expected to reach $15bn by 2028. Despite these lofty valuations, it remains to be seen just how much of this investment is speculation, and how much is actually delivering value.

To find out how AI is changing the connector industry I spoke to Lee Slater, European Operations Manager at PEI-Genesis, about the company’s journey with automation to date, and how it is using AI as a tool in its assembly operations.

PEI-Genesis is a global leader in the design and assembly of custom engineered connectors and cable solutions for harsh environments. One of the company’s key differentiators is that it doesn’t only hold stock of finished connectors, it holds most of its inventory as component parts, which are then made to order. Thanks to high levels of automation in its assembly lines, the company is able to offer a minimum order quantity of just 1 product, and lead times of 48 hours on select product lines.

I asked Lee whether AI in automation is a gimmick. Stream the full episode to listen to the discussion.

So, what are the key takeaways from today's episode?

The first is that AI is proving to be more than just a buzzword. In our discussion, Lee emphasised the role of AI in PEI’s operations. It's not about replacing humans but working in harmony, optimising warehouse processes, and ensuring the most efficient routes for assembly. The marriage of human expertise with AI intelligence is shaping the future of connector manufacturing.

Second, AI is not just streamlining processes; it's enabling more...