Beyond The Robot: Spotlight On Hidden Infrastructure
DigiKey has rolled out the fifth season of its Factory Tomorrow video series, “Behind the Robot.” Instead of celebrating the robots themselves, the new season pulls the camera back to show the less visible systems that make those robots possible. Power delivery, sensing technology, and safety layers rarely get attention, yet they are what keep production running shift after shift.
With support from Eaton and SICK, the series examines these building blocks in detail. Electrical backbones keep lines stable, while sensors provide the precision and protection that workers rely on. It is not the glamorous side of automation, but it is the side that determines whether a factory actually meets its targets.
Integrated Automation Takes Centre Stage
“Automation is evolving rapidly, and it’s not just about the robot anymore,” said Connor Doherty, industrial automation director at DigiKey. The point is hard to miss. Manufacturers are moving away from single machines working in isolation and towards connected ecosystems where infrastructure, data, and monitoring tools matter just as much.
In practice, integration is more demanding than simply dropping a robot into a line. Factories need power systems that prevent interruptions, sensors that feed operators information in real time, and diagnostics that can raise a flag before equipment grinds to a halt. For many manufacturers already dealing with stricter safety rules and fewer skilled staff, these surrounding systems are not optional.
Why It Matters For Manufacturers
The topics raised in Season 5 are immediately familiar to anyone running an industrial operation. Unplanned downtime, maintenance costs, and worker safety are all ongoing headaches. Smarter sensing combined with connected diagnostics can reduce those problems, cutting costs while giving factories a chance to run with greater flexibility.
There is also a wider story here. As reshoring gathers pace, production lines need to be more reliable than ever. The new season argues that the path forward depends on robust infrastructure just as much as robotic hardware.
How To Watch And What To Expect
Season 5 is live now and runs across three short episodes. Each one highlights a different aspect of automation: the electrical backbone of robotic cells, the sensors and safety systems that keep processes accurate, and the changing role of automation in the workforce.
For engineers, integrators, and decision-makers, the takeaway is clear: automation success depends on the invisible systems that surround the robot.
To learn more about the video series and how DigiKey is supporting innovative automation for global manufacturing, the episodes are available through DigiKey’s Factory Tomorrow platform.
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