Keynotes

Keynote talks are open to all registered Automate 2011 and ProMat attendees and exhibitors free of charge. You’ll need your show badge to gain entrance. We anticipate a large audience for both exciting talks, please allow yourself enough time to get in and get seated.

Monday, March 21
8:45 – 9:45 am
Room S102 (Level 1)


Fortune Favors the Brave: The Net Gain of Supply Chain Security in a Risk-Based World

Tom Ridge, First Secretary of Homeland SecurityTom Ridge

First Secretary of Homeland Security
and Distinguished Statesman

The inextricable link between security and prosperity in a progressively interdependent world has generated enormous business, political and economic benefits but also consequent challenges. Terrorism, natural disasters, criminal acts, vendor issues, accidents and geopolitical influences can have debilitating effects on economies and thus have put issues such as supply chain security, cross-border collaborations and security investment at the forefront of every proactive business and government agenda. Secretary Ridge will share his views of today's risk-centric environment and how to minimize those risks in favor of greater resiliency and security across the globe.

Co-presented by ProMat 2011 and Automate 2011

Tuesday, March 22
8:45 – 9:45 am
Room S102 (Level 1)


The Development of Robonaut 2 (R2) 

A story of Government-Industry Collaboration and Technology Transfer 
 Robonaut 2 (R2)
Ron Diftler, Robonaut Project Leader, NASA Johnson Space Center
Marty Linn, Principal Engineer of Robotics, General Motors

 

General Motors and NASA partnered to develop Robonaut 2 (R2), the first human-like robot in space. R2 recently took flight aboard the STS-133 Discovery and will become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. NASA and GM have a long, rich history of partnering on key technologies dating back to the 1960s. This latest collaboration to design and develop R2 broke new ground both technically and programmatically, and is a true success story of Government – Industry Collaboration and Technology Transfer. 

Co-presented by Automate 2011 and ProMat 2011