About
I am an Operating Executive with experience leading growth and turnarounds at enterprise…
Articles by James
Activity
-
Every Friday, we have employee "Coffee Talks," where our people have a chance to share their hobbies, passions, accomplishments, and overall lives…
Every Friday, we have employee "Coffee Talks," where our people have a chance to share their hobbies, passions, accomplishments, and overall lives…
Liked by James Lawton
-
Last week, an auction house sold off all of READY Robotics' physical assets. If you checked the company's website, you'll notice it's gone. The IP…
Last week, an auction house sold off all of READY Robotics' physical assets. If you checked the company's website, you'll notice it's gone. The IP…
Liked by James Lawton
-
Big time breakfast meeting this morning! My son is 11 today and he said waffles at the diner is the plan. Yes, boss 🤣 It's been 11 years of…
Big time breakfast meeting this morning! My son is 11 today and he said waffles at the diner is the plan. Yes, boss 🤣 It's been 11 years of…
Liked by James Lawton
Experience
Education
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School of Management
Master of Science, Management (SM Management), Sloan's MBA equivalent
-
-
Summa cum laude; class rank: 1
Volunteer Experience
-
Advisor
AeroVect
- Present less than a year
AeroVect deploys autonomous driving systems for ground support equipment (GSE), trusted by the world's most innovative airlines and ground handlers.
-
Advisor
Kamet AI
- Present less than a year
Kamet makes a risk management platform for autonomous machines
-
Advisory Council Member
Tufts University Gordon Institute
- Present 4 years
Preparing individuals to become leaders who can address 21st century challenges.
-
Board Member
Tufts University
- Present 5 years
The Department of Computer Science at Tufts University provides an open, friendly, diverse, and collaborative atmosphere in which to study computer science.
-
Finalist Judge, $100K Competition
Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University (DEC)
- less than a year
The flagship venture pitch competition of Tufts University
Publications
-
The Recession Cometh and Robots are Ready
Forbes
The looming question of recession is no longer if, but when. For manufacturers, the lack of flexibility they need to successfully navigate the uncertainty is exacerbated by labor shortages and rigid automation. The good news: collaborative robots boost flexibility and more.
-
Industry 4.0: A Crucible Forging a New Breed of Leaders in Manufacturing
Forbes
Getting consensus on the best strategy for harnessing Industry 4.0 isn’t easy. That’s ok. What the pundits say isn’t keeping leaders up at night – there are plenty of real world challenges for that. What we do know is leadership will look very different in the digital age of manufacturing.
-
AI and Robots: Not What You Think
Forbes
Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven collaborative robots are not some futuristic technology that manufacturers have to wait for. The AI that makes cobots smart, capable and effective is here and at work today – improving productivity and quality in manufacturing operations large and small.
-
What Robot Makers Must Learn from Dogs, Animators and Video Game Designers: Q&A with Bruce Blumberg
Forbes
As humans and machines engage in direct working relationships, how it works is interesting.
Making these connections successful draws from an unlikely source: animation and video
gaming, where innovation gives autonomous characters – and robots – ways to engage in
dialogue using non-verbal cues. -
The Role of Robots in Industry 4.0
Forbes
In Forbes, the race to build the digital factory is on for most manufacturers, but it’s not going to be easy. Collaborative robots can help with on-board “brains” that help with the data tsunami that’s coming and accelerate the path to achieving the promise of Industry 4.0.
-
Robots: The Automation Juggernaut that Manufacturers Need
Forbes
It’s a great time for cobots. The market potential seems limitless. It makes sense – these solutions give manufacturers relief from the challenges of labor and a path to the bright future of Industry 4.0. But how real is the hype?
-
Industry 4.0: Harder Than We Think
Forbes
In Forbes, manufacturers are on board with the vision of Industry 4.0, but not really clear on why or how and it’s not hard to understand why.
-
How Manufacturers Can Tackle the Labor Problem In Their Race to Industry 4.0
Forbes
Even as they race toward the promise of Industry 4.0, manufacturers are stymied by a present-day, real-world problem: reliable, productive labor. Today’s smart, collaborative robots do double duty: giving manufacturers a workforce that works and future-forward solutions that support the evolution.
-
Robots are Boring
Forbes
Smart, collaborative robots have crossed over from futuristic fantasy to solving the real-world challenge of labor in manufacturing. Today, robots are working in manufacturing to increase productivity and efficiency; soon robots will help manufacturers run more agile and innovative operations.
-
Supply Chain 2030: Engines for Growth
Beet Fusion
Growth is what matters – on Wall Street, Main St. and around the world. Supply chain executives need to embrace the vision of a supply chain that supports growth.
-
In the Race to Advance Manufacturing: China’s Betting on Robots
Forbes
Global manufacturers are looking for ways to increase competitiveness, productivity and value. In China, the formula for success increasingly centers on the accelerated adoption of robots.
-
Think Efficiency is Enough in the New Age of Manufacturing? Think Again
Forbes
In Forbes, for manufacturers, having leveraged technology to optimize efficiency, it is time to focus on growth, innovation and customer-centric models to change the mindset that’s fueling the race to the bottom (line).
-
Robots Know Things: Put Them to Work for You
Forbes
As manufacturers wrestle with the what, how and when of Industry 4.0, robots are here to help. Getting smarter all the time, robots will become engines of world-class operations with the ability to figure out what is going on, what is wanted, and make recommendations smoothly to modify what they are doing so they can do it better.
-
Smart Machines: Closing the Supply Chain Gap Between Demand and Delivery
Beet Fusion
Smart machines enable the demand-drive supply chain.
-
Losing Sleep over Your Digital Manufacturing Strategy? You're Not the First
Forbes
Digital manufacturing is coming. And like all change it can be daunting. But manufacturers can take heart - they aren't the first to experience a digital revolution. Marketing's been there, done it and may offer some wisdom.
-
Democratizing Manufacturing: Smart, Collaborative Robots Bring Automation Benefits to All
Forbes
In Forbes, smart, collaborative robots are giving “small” manufacturers the freedom to do more.
-
Stories from the Trenches
Beet Fusion
Robots are well-positioned to play a big role in accelerating the journey to the digital factory for manufacturers large and small
-
Artificial Intelligence-Driven Robots: More Brains than Brawn
Forbes
Smart, collaborative robots have torn down the obstacles to automation for 90 percent of tasks in manufacturing. Now, these software-driven robots are bringing innate cognitive skills to the task of building Industry 4.0.
-
2016: A Year of Advances and a Few Reality Checks
Forbes
Robots, artificial intelligence and manufacturing were hot in 2016. What was substance and what was just noise? Did we really move the needle on the value innovation plays in these fields?
-
Mind + Machine: Changing the Business of Manufacturing
Forbes
Robots are changing everything – automation, manufacturing and soon, in the Industrial Internet of Things, the business of manufacturing. Fueling the ability to sense, respond and act on changes internal and external, robots give manufacturers a faster path to harnessing opportunities.
-
Robots with Grit: Redefining Manufacturing
Forbes
The next installment of robots as agents of change: robots with grit are poised to change manufacturing.
-
DFJ’s Steve Jurvetson Talks About Investing, Innovation & Robots As Agents of Change
Forbes
Connecting with DFJ’s Steve Jurvetson on investment philosophy, the definition of innovation and what got him to invest in Rethink Robotics.
-
Robots on a Mission: Agents of Change in Manufacturing
Forbes
Robots evolve to change the way manufacturing gets done.
-
Jim Lawton: 3 Challenges For Manufacturing's Innovation Age
GE Reports
At the intersection of mind and machine, manufacturing is poised for transformation. Here are three challenges industry faces in order to capitalize on advances in robotics and the Industrial Internet.
-
Moving the Needle on Supply Chain Excellence: From Incremental Improvement to Exponential Value
Beet Fusion
Manufacturing is undergoing a transformation and as manufacturing strategies change, so then must the definition of supply chain excellence.
-
Lessons Learned In China: Don’t Fear The Robots
Forbes
Watching Chinese manufacturers embrace smart, collaborative robots – lessons worth heeding.
-
One to Watch: Made in China 2025
Rethink Robotics Blog
The Chinese government launched an ambitious strategy to transform Chinese manufacturing from the world’s source of low-cost labor to the leader in innovation and quality.
-
When Implementation & Culture Collide: Start with Hearts & Minds
Beet Fusion
If you want to succeed with a technology project, start with the culture question. What do I need to do to get my whole team/organization on board with this initiative? Your team engages and you achieve the value you envisioned.
-
Think you Know Industrial Robots? Think Again
Forbes
Robots have come a long way, and it’s time to ditch the old ways of thinking about what it takes to put them to work.
-
Software Rules the Road and the Robots
Forbes
Tesla’s auto-piloting software will change how we think about cars and drivers—I’m seeing the same shift in robots and manufacturing.
-
When Humans and Robots Work Together
GE Reports
When you hear about innovative technological advances that are reshaping industries, chances are you aren’t thinking about a factory floor. Not much has changed there since the first industrial robots were deployed in the 1960s — until now.
-
Robots Re/Make: What It Means to Work Like Humans Do
Rethink Robotics Blog
Last month’s RoboBiz was jam-packed with the latest and greatest products, the best and brightest minds in the field and an incredible amount of energy around the practical applications that smart, collaborative robots are being put to use for today.
-
On Your Marks: The Race to Global Manufacturing Leadership Is On
Forbes
What does Made in China 2025 mean for global manufacturing? The race to lead in the factories of the future is on, and US manufacturers need to move now.
-
As China Moves from Volume to Value, So Do Robots
Industry Week
Advances in robotics technology have paved the way for a new breed of robot that delivers entirely new ways of performing the 90% of physical tasks that have been outside the reach of traditional robots.
-
GE's Roland Menassa: When Robots Help People Do Their Jobs Better, Manufacturing Wins
Forbes
Great conversation with manufacturing giant GE’s Roland Menassa about robots and people in manufacturing.
-
Why Robots AND Humans Are the Answer to Manufacturing's Job Woes
Forbes
Looking at the robots vs humans jobs through the lens of manufacturing…
-
Sawyer. The Collaborative Robot Serious About Manufacturing
Rethink Robotics Blog
Manufacturing is a serious business. Day after day, there are hard problems to solve requiring innovative technologies, and new and better ways to drive value. At Rethink Robotics we introduced Sawyer, a serious robot. Because in the end, we will succeed if – and only if – our customers succeed.
-
Robots Re/Make: Manufacturing’s Entry Into the Innovation Age
Rethink Robotics Blog
This year’s Industry Week Best Plants conference was filled with people excited to be in manufacturing. It’s a great time to be in the business of bringing real-world products to the lives of all us. The technology fueling the evolution – including robots – is here and making a meaningful difference today.
-
In the Factories of the Future: A Conversation With Jabil's John Dulchinos
Forbes
Talking about the value of smart, collaborative robots: A conversation with John Dulchinos of Jabil.
-
Robots Re/Make: What Does Blue Sky Mean to You?
Rethink Robotics Blog
Proud to be part of Jabil’s Blue Sky Center, Rethink Robotics is changing how robots are built, what they can do and how people can work with them – all in pursuit of the blue sky of innovation.
-
What Legos Taught Me About How Robots Should Work
Forbes
Robots that can do more than one task and change tasks seamlessly will change manufacturing forever.
-
Robots Re/Make Machine Tending: Challenging an Inconvenient Truth
Rethinking Robotics Blog
Productivity is lost when manufacturing workers stand idle in front of machines waiting until equipment is ready. Robots are now changing the way we automate machine tending.
-
Robots and Real-World Variability: When Change Happens, Adapt
Forbes
A new breed of smart, collaborative robots are coming online that approach variability in different way.
-
Robots and the Human Touch
Forbes
Robots using touch to perform tasks in manufacturing.
-
Mind + Maker: Manufacturers Rethink Robots
Forbes
Smart, collaborative robots are going to profoundly change how manufacturing gets done.
-
Robots Re/Make Packaging: How Healthcare Products Get to Grocery Aisles
Rethink Robotics Blog
Packaging presents major challenges for the CPG industry. Smart, collaborative robots help get the job done.
-
Robots Re/Make: A Model for Work in Manufacturing
Rethink Robotics Blog
Robots re/make the future of work.
-
Robots Re/Make: Ok, We Let the Robot Out of the Cage. Now What?
Rethink Robotics Blog
We have a ways to go before robots tackle work like humans do.
-
The Maker Movement and Robotics: Rethinking What It Means to Collaborate
Rethink Robotics Blog
What will the next generation of workers be looking for when it comes to robots? Robots that are more human-like than less….
-
At the Intersection of Big Data and Smart Manufacturing
BigM Matters
Can Big Data make a difference in manufacturing? I think so….
-
Why Can’t We Be Friends?
Rethink Robotics Blog
Robots vs. humans? Let’s move the needle on this tired dialogue to Robots AND humans….
-
Back to School 2014: Kids Are the Future of Robotics
Rethink Robotics Blog
The next generation shows the way when it comes to integrating robots…lead on I say….
-
Can the Integrated Workforce Do More Than Increase Efficiency?
Rethink Robotics Blog
Now that robots are safe (err, freed from cages), what does it mean that we’ll be working side-by-side?
-
Beyond Fixed Automation: The Integrated Workforce Changes the Dynamic
Rethink Robotics Blog
Now that robots are safe (err, freed from cages), what does it mean that we’ll be working side-by-side?
-
Is Automation Holding Manufacturing Back?
Rethink Robotics Blog
Manufacturing’s changed a lot in the past 20 years; has automation kept up? It’s time to rethink what it means to automate….
-
Can Robots Reduce Supply Chain Risk? You Bet!
Rethink Robotics Blog
Chasing low-cost labor has created fragile supply chains. Trainable, safe and cost-effective robots can make a difference in supply chain risk….
Organizations
-
YPO - Young Presidents' Organization
Active Member
- PresentYPO is governed by members, for members, who stand collectively in alignment around four core principles: * A community of peers. * Lifelong education and idea exchange. * A safe haven of trust, respect and confidentiality. * A uniquely personal experience.
Recommendations received
9 people have recommended James
Join now to viewMore activity by James
-
The second law of robotics is that as a robot goes forward in time, the net entropy will always increase, or at least stay the same. Wait a minute...…
The second law of robotics is that as a robot goes forward in time, the net entropy will always increase, or at least stay the same. Wait a minute...…
Liked by James Lawton
-
We're incredibly excited to share that BOXOLOGIC has been selected to join the prestigious MassChallenge U.S. Early Stage Program! This is a…
We're incredibly excited to share that BOXOLOGIC has been selected to join the prestigious MassChallenge U.S. Early Stage Program! This is a…
Liked by James Lawton
-
I am proud to share that Heidrick & Struggles has been named to Forbes World’s Best Management Consulting Firms list for the second year in a…
I am proud to share that Heidrick & Struggles has been named to Forbes World’s Best Management Consulting Firms list for the second year in a…
Liked by James Lawton
-
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve just started a new role as Head of Product at Walmart Advanced Systems & Robotics! The Walmart ASR team has…
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve just started a new role as Head of Product at Walmart Advanced Systems & Robotics! The Walmart ASR team has…
Liked by James Lawton
-
It was a great conversation! Thanks to The Product Market Fit Show for showcasing entrepreneurial stories! cc: Legion Technologies
It was a great conversation! Thanks to The Product Market Fit Show for showcasing entrepreneurial stories! cc: Legion Technologies
Liked by James Lawton
-
As a human-robot interaction researcher, I often find myself in the position of asking people to volunteer their time to interact with robots that…
As a human-robot interaction researcher, I often find myself in the position of asking people to volunteer their time to interact with robots that…
Liked by James Lawton
-
Cheers to a Friday in the office working with the talented sales teams and creating cool content to show the #breakthruexperience. #youshouldworkhere
Cheers to a Friday in the office working with the talented sales teams and creating cool content to show the #breakthruexperience. #youshouldworkhere
Liked by James Lawton
-
We are thrilled to welcome Tricia Gellman as our new Chief Marketing Officer at Box 🎉 With over two decades of experience in driving growth and…
We are thrilled to welcome Tricia Gellman as our new Chief Marketing Officer at Box 🎉 With over two decades of experience in driving growth and…
Liked by James Lawton
Other similar profiles
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named James Lawton in United States
-
James Lawton
Legal Partner with the C-Suite Taking Measured Risks to Accomplish Results
-
James Lawton
Finance student at the University of Arizona
-
James Lawton
• 30+ years managing, designing and implementing software solutions • Experience with Oracle, DB2, UNIX and Windows administration, Informatica, Crystal Reports and C++ and C • Database design and implementation
-
James Lawton
IT Project Manager, Program Manager and Security Specialist
128 others named James Lawton in United States are on LinkedIn
See others named James Lawton