The Automation Journey | A Podcast from Rocrich AGV Solutions

Manager of International Safety Standards: Why Listing Every AGV Standard on Your RFP Could Backfire

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:02:00 +0000

Mobile robot standards are multiplying faster than most operations teams can track them.

Your RFP lists every AGV and AMR safety standard under the sun, but does anyone on your team actually know which ones apply, or why? Between ANSI B56.5, R15.08, ISO 3691-4 and the forthcoming ISO 26058, it's easy to end up compliant on paper and exposed in practice.

Chris Soranno is Manager of International Safety Standards at SICK Sensor Intelligence and chairman of the ANSI Industrial Robot Subcommittee on Industrial Mobile Robot Safety. He's a TÜV Rheinland certified Functional Safety Expert, sits on ISO's committee revising ISO 11161, and was inducted into the ANSI B11 Standards Hall of Fame for his work on machinery safety standards. Few people alive can explain not just what these standards say, but why.

This episode gives you a clear way to tell which standard applies to your AGV, AMR, or IMR deployment, and where the gray areas actually sit. Chris walks through the difference between North American and international approaches to responsibility, and why that distinction changes what your risk assessment needs to cover.

You'll hear how R15.08 was built to close the gap between mobile bases and robotic arms, why B56.5 still governs anything with forks, and what's changing now that R15.08 Part 3 has finally been published for end users. Colin and Chris also cover robots-as-a-service, reprogramming AMRs on the fly, and the honest risks of using AI to interpret safety standards.

This is for operations directors, safety leaders, and procurement managers writing their next automation RFP. If you've ever handed a vendor a checklist of standards without knowing why they're on it, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways

The real gray area in mobile automation safety often isn't the "what," it's the "who." North American and international standards assign responsibility to different stakeholders, and getting that wrong can leave gaps nobody's covering.
Whether ANSI B56.5 or R15.08 applies to your AGV or AMR isn't always as simple as "does it have forks." Chris explains the nuance procurement teams miss when they just tick standards off an RFP checklist.
Reprogramming a scanner or changing a payload on your AMR can quietly turn you from an end user into an integrator, with a completely different set of safety obligations you need to meet.
Running a safety standard through AI to save time carries real risk. Chris has seen cases where the output doesn't match what the standard's authors actually intended, plus a copyright problem most people never consider.

Useful Links & Resources

Chris Soranno on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissoranno-safetyjedi/

SICK Sensor Intelligence: https://www.sick.com

ANSI (American National Standards Institute): https://www.ansi.org

A3 Association for Advancing Automation (R15.08 standards body): https://www.automate.org

Rocrich AGV Solutions: https://www.rocrich.com

Connect With the Show

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocrich/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rocrich_solutions/

Website: https://www.rocrich.com

Got a question about safety standards for your next mobile automation project? Send it our way, we're always looking for real-world scenarios to put to future guests.

Know an operations director, safety leader, or procurement manager writing an RFP right now? Send them this episode before they hit publish.

Visit rocrich.com to learn how Rocrich AGV Solutions can help you start or scale your automation journey.

#TheAutomationJourney #WarehouseAutomation #AGV #MachinerySafety #ISO26058

Multi-Vendor Automation Projects: Where Things Go Wrong and How to Fix Them

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:00:24 +0000

Scope creep, vendor accountability gaps, and undertrained teams at go-live. Three of the most common and costly problems in complex automation deployments - and three that are almost always avoidable.

This excerpt from Episode 5 of The Automation Journey covers the section of the conversation where Yara Alsuwailem, Head of Engineering and Implementation at EQ Depot, goes deep on what causes these problems and exactly what integrators and customers need to do to prevent them. For the full conversation - including project readiness, safety standards, post go-live support agreements, and Yara's final advice on communication - listen to the complete episode.

Key Takeaways

Why scope creep disguised as minor tweaks is one of the hardest delays to spot - and how customer sign-off before execution prevents it
How multi-system projects create multiple points of failure - and how workshop meetings and data logs keep accountability clear
Where failures most commonly occur between systems installed by different vendors - and how to resolve them without finger pointing
Why the first 90 days post go-live are the hardest - and what "nobody wants to touch the big expensive machine" actually costs an operation
Why training during commissioning - not after - is the single most effective way to prepare a customer's team for go-live

What's Next?

In the full episode we cover project readiness, safety standards, post go-live support, and Yara's closing advice on communication.

Watch the full episode here https://youtu.be/LS8TeXimmMI

Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes of The Automation Journey.

Visit Rocrich AGV Solutions: https://rocrich.com/

Connect with Colin Hutchings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinbhutchings/

Connect with Yara Alsuwailem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yara-alsuwailem/

Disclaimer

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that Rocrich AGV Solutions LLC ("Rocrich") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Rocrich does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, Rocrich makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

ROCRICH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

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By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Rocrich, or used by Rocrich with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the Rocrich, which may be requested by contacting marketing@rocrich.com

What It Really Takes to Deliver Complex Automation Projects - A Project Manager's View

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:00:27 +0000

Your automated system is installed. The vendor says it's ready. So why isn't it performing?

Scope creep, vendor accountability gaps, and underperforming systems in the first 90 days - these are three of the most common and costly challenges in complex automation deployments. And they're almost always avoidable.

Key Takeaways

Why scope creep disguised as minor tweaks is one of the hardest delays to spot - and how customer sign-off before execution prevents it
How multi-system projects create multiple points of failure - and how workshop meetings and data logs keep accountability clear
Where failures most commonly occur between systems installed by different vendors - and how to resolve them without finger pointing
Why the first 90 days post go-live are the hardest - and what "nobody wants to touch the big expensive machine" actually costs an operation
Why training during commissioning - not after - is the single most effective way to prepare a customer's team for go-live

What's Next?

Subscribe, review, and share with others who are planning or delivering a complex automation project and want to know what it really takes to make it work.

Visit Rocrich AGV Solutions: https://rocrich.com/

Connect with Colin Hutchings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinbhutchings/

Connect with Yara Alsuwailem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yara-alsuwailem/

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ANSI B56.5, R15.08, ISO 3691-4 - A Plain-English Guide to Automation Standards

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:21:03 +0000

Most automation buyers know they need to comply with standards. Very few know which ones apply, where the boundaries sit, or what happens when two standards conflict.

This excerpt from Episode 4 of The Automation Journey covers the standards landscape governing mobile automation in North America - what ANSI B56.5, R15.08, and ISO 3691-4 each require, how to choose the right framework for your facility, and why compliance and a well-designed automated operation are not the same thing.

For the full conversation - including risk assessment, functional safety, and what buyers should be asking their vendors - listen to the complete episode.

Key Takeaways

>> How to navigate ANSI B56.5, ANSI R15.08, and ISO 3691-4 - what each covers and when each applies

>> Why national and international standards take different approaches to risk, and what that means for your deployment strategy

>> Why compliance with a standard is not the same as a well-designed automated operation

>> What the gap between standards compliance and genuine operational readiness actually looks like on the floor

What's Next?

For the full conversation - including risk assessment, functional safety, and what buyers should be asking their vendors - listen to the complete episode on your preferred platform. Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes of The Automation Journey.

Visit Rocrich AGV Solutions: https://rocrich.com/

Connect with Colin Hutchings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinbhutchings/

Connect with Pat Davison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patdavison/

Disclaimer

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The Automation Standards Breakdown You'll Wish You'd Seen Sooner

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:53:20 +0000

Your automated vehicle meets every standard on paper. But is your facility actually ready to operate differently?

In this episode, Colin sits down with Pat Davison, Director of Standards at MHI - the largest material handling and supply chain association in North America - to cut through one of the most misunderstood areas of any automation project: the standards landscape.

Pat has been involved in shaping ANSI B56.5, R15.08, and the broader framework governing how automated vehicles are designed, deployed, and operated.

From risk assessment and functional safety to what compliance actually means in practice - this is the conversation most automation buyers wish they'd had before their first vendor meeting.

Key Takeaways

>> How to navigate ANSI B56.5, R15.08, and ISO 3691-4, what each covers, where the boundaries sit, and how to choose the right framework for your facility

>> Why compliance with a standard is not the same as a well-designed automated operation and what the gap looks like in practice

>> How to approach risk assessment with confidence, the nouns vs. verbs framework, the NIOSH hierarchy, and why most teams underestimate what's involved

>> What functional safety actually means in a mobile automation context and the common mistakes operations teams make when specifying safety systems

>> Why nobody wants to be first but everybody wants to be second and what that means for organisations planning their first deployment

>> What questions buyers should be asking their vendors about standards and compliance that most never think to ask

What next?

Subscribe and follow so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.

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Why Most Automation Pilots Fail - And the Planning Mindset That Changes Everything

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:34:27 +0000

Most automation projects start in the wrong place. The technology gets chosen before the process gets redesigned. The pilot gets scoped too small to succeed. And by the time the robots arrive, the foundation wasn't ready for them.

In this excerpt from Episode 3 of The Automation Journey, Troy Donnelly covers the fundamentals that determine whether automation delivers - from mobile automation complexity in mixed environments, to the hidden cost of an underpowered pilot, to the technology trends worth watching and the ones that are still mostly demo.

Listen to the full episode now to hear Troy's vendor selection framework, his goods-to-person process redesign example, and everything in between.

And please follow and subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.

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Don't Pave the Cow Path: Choosing What to Automate for Maximum ROI

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:12:49 +0000

Most automation failures don't start with bad technology. They start with automating the wrong process.

Troy Donnelly has spent nearly three decades designing, implementing and operating automated systems - from an automated 3PL to leading Toyota's global autonomous vehicle strategy. In this episode, he shares how to identify which processes are actually worth automating, why redesigning operations before the robots arrive is non-negotiable, and how to avoid the "magic box" mentality that kills so many automation projects.

Listen to the full episode now to hear Troy's framework for choosing what to automate, his vendor selection red flags, and the phrase that sums up the most expensive mistake in the warehouse - "don't pave the cow path."

Subscribe and follow so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.

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What Happens When Your Vendor's Experts Move On to Their Next Project?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:32 +0000

Integrated automation looks seamless on paper. Making it work is a different challenge entirely.

In this excerpt from Episode 2 of The Automation Journey, Lina Alvarado, Director of Supply Planning and Execution, walks through the implementation realities that catch even experienced teams off guard - from the knowledge gap left when vendors move on, to the SOP documentation no one thinks to prepare for. To hear what Lina would negotiate differently if she were starting over, listen to the full episode on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify.

Listen to the full episode now to hear Lina's four-phase playbook, her SLA negotiation lessons, and the documentation approach that could save your team when something breaks.

And subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.

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The Gap Between Vendor Promises and Post-Implementation Reality

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:49:03 +0000

Vendor selection isn't about the slickest pitch. It's about who stays when the system breaks.

You're planning a major warehouse automation project. Multiple vendors, integrated systems, tight timelines. But how do you protect your ROI when the real world doesn't match the business case?

Lina Alvarado is a Director of Supply Planning and Execution with over 20 years in supply chain and distribution operations. She led the transformation of a major distribution center from 250,000 to 800,000 square feet of highly integrated automation - from business case through go-live. The project succeeded, but not without hard lessons along the way.

This is a podcast for operations and engineering leaders who want clear answers and a practical path forward. Hosted by Rocrich AGV Solutions, the show cuts through brownfield complexity, 24-month payback mandates, safety sign-offs, and siloed teams to give you real-world playbooks, credible ROI framing, and the practical first steps that turn automation ambition into results.

What's next?

Subscribe, review, and share with others who are evaluating or implementing complex automated systems and want to know what it really takes to make them work.

Visit Rocrich to discover how their team helps operations and engineering leaders implement mobile automation in even the toughest manufacturing and logistics environments.

Connect with Colin Hutchings and Lina Alvarado on LinkedIn.

You can also listen to The Automation Journey on Apple and Spotify.

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How to Get Every Stakeholder Aligned on Automation Before the Project Begins

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:01:55 +0000

Getting everyone aligned on an automation initiative is one of the hardest parts of the process. In this short-form episode, host Colin Hutchings and Derrick Shannonhouse, VP of Transformation at Equipment Depot, cut straight to the practical steps — from securing a C-suite mandate to structuring a program management office that keeps projects moving without creating bottlenecks.

Listen to the full episode now to hear Derrick's take on the visual and financial signals that reveal a facility is at a breaking point, how to build a business case that survives CFO scrutiny, and the single most common mistake that derails automation programs before they ever get off the ground.

And subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next on The Automation Journey.

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Where the Automation Journey Begins: Turning Ambition into Action

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:24 +0000

How do you know when automation is actually the answer, and where on earth do you start?

In the debut episode of The Automation Journey, host Colin Hutchings sits down with Derrick Shannonhouse, VP of Transformation at Equipment Depot, to work through the signals that reveal a facility is at a breaking point, how to build a business case that survives scrutiny, and the single most common mistake that derails automation programs before they get off the ground.

Whether you are just beginning to think about automation or have a pilot project already in mind, this is the conversation you need before you take your first step.

What’s next?

Subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who are navigating automation decisions or need to build a business case that gets results.

Visit Rocrich to discover how their team helps operations and engineering leaders implement mobile automation in even the toughest manufacturing and logistics environments.

Connect with Colin Hutchings and Derrick Shannonhouse.

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Trailer

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:49:42 +0000

Mobile automation is messy. Brownfield constraints. Finance is pushing back on ROI. Safety sign-offs. Departments that need actually to work together. The Automation Journey cuts through the noise and helps you make decisions that stick.

Each episode tackles one fundamental question: Where do we even start? How do we build a business case that finance will believe? What does "safe by design" actually mean? How do we avoid vendor lock-in?

Hosted by Rocrich AGV Solutions, a team that has implemented automation in some of the toughest manufacturing and logistics environments, the show shares lessons from practitioners, safety leaders, and integration professionals who’ve been there.

The show is for operations and engineering leaders in manufacturing, logistics, food & beverage, and pharma - anyone who influences automation decisions, safety approvals, or budgets.

You'll get clear first steps, plain-English safety and standards guidance, integration playbooks, and credible ROI framing you can actually use, plus actionable tools and industry updates to keep your plans on track.