Six Question With Vention's Etienne Lacroix
His company's products are quite literally holding up the robotics industry
Vention is a company that specializes in providing modular hardware solutions for manufacturing and industrial automation. You have more than likely seen their products, but you were probably more focused on the robot and not all of the blue metal around it. But Vention is so much more. That is why we sat down with their CEO and co-founder, Etienne Lacroix, for Six Questions.
Describe your journey into robotics and your current role leading Vention
In 2016, my co-founder and I founded Vention. We loved building with LEGO as kids, and inspired by that childhood interest, along with early experiences with CAD software, we envisioned simplifying the process of building industrial equipment. Once web technology caught up with our vision, we saw an opportunity to start a company that made automation accessible to everyone. We knew we needed to change the traditional industrial automation process, and we aimed to create a world where designing and constructing machines was as straightforward and enjoyable as building with LEGO. Today, we have developed the only end-to-end tech stack for the automated factory, covering each step from design to operation. We've also built a comprehensive library of over 1,000 compatible and plug-and-play components that complement our tech stack to make automating a seamless process for all manufacturers.
Vention is on a mission to democratize robots. Why does that matter to you?
The challenging labor market and competitive pressure on small and midsize manufacturers reveal a concerning reality. Nearly 90% of manufacturers are unable to fill open positions, resulting in an estimated 600K manufacturing jobs remaining unfilled by 2030. This is leading 93% of manufacturing leaders to use technology to address the talent gap because they have no other option.
The complexity and high cost of conventional manufacturing automation systems often put automation out of reach for many smaller manufacturers, but consumer demand, reshoring, and the pressure to stay competitive against larger manufacturers and mega factories are only increasing. For smaller businesses, robotics can be crucial to their success, so we need to work to make robotics and automation more accessible to them. Equipping these businesses with democratized technology will only strengthen the future of U.S. manufacturing. My co-founder and I needed to build another option so that the 98% of small-to-mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in the U.S. wouldn't be left behind. That's why we’re helping to equalize the industry by introducing speed and simplicity through do-it-yourself (DIY) automation to ensure that automation is accessible to manufacturers of all sizes.
Tell us about the problem you see of the widening robotics gap in manufacturing
The widening gap in robotics adoption within manufacturing poses significant challenges across the industry. Several key factors contribute to this disparity. Firstly, the evaluation and deployment of industrial automation technology remains a complex and resource-intensive process. Many companies struggle to navigate the intricacies of selecting and implementing suitable automation solutions for their specific needs.
In addition, production equipment in manufacturing is often specialized for the particular products being manufactured. These custom-built solutions are exceedingly expensive for smaller companies, limiting their access to automation technology. Consequently, the divide between large enterprises with financial resources and smaller manufacturers unable to afford premium engineering services or customized integrations continues to widen.
This lack of accessibility perpetuates a status quo that benefits established industry participants while leaving smaller manufacturers—those who could benefit most from automation technology—behind. As a result, incumbent component manufacturers face little pressure to make their technology more accessible or affordable to a broader range of businesses.
Pictured: Etienne with Vention co-founder Max Windisch.
Your answer to democratizing robots is DIY automation. Tell us more about this concept and why this is what the industry needs
DIY automation is a way for manufacturers to automate their processes without relying on external help and save cost. The concept is built around providing tools that enable manufacturers to handle automation internally, using plug-and-play components that don't require specialized knowledge in robotics or industrial control systems. DIY automation is designed to be user-friendly and is supported by a digital workflow that simplifies its design, programming, deployment, and operation.
This approach allows small to medium-sized manufacturers to start with simple, entry-level use cases and progressively build internal expertise. DIY automation democratizes automation by making it more accessible and profitable for businesses.
Robotics has improved efficiencies and helped attract new talent to manufacturing, but traditional automation's complexity and cost have been prohibitive for small businesses. The DIY approach simplifies robotics implementation through simple, intuitive, and code-free interfaces. Combined with all necessary tools like machine analytics, remote support capabilities, and digital twins, this approach makes robotics even more accessible. Our research indicates that SMMs are increasingly embracing cloud-based automation systems like Vention’s Manufacturing Automation Platform because they are more affordable and easy to use and maintain.
How do you see robotics adoption evolving over the next two years?
Over the next two years, I expect to see more small to medium-sized manufacturers using smarter, AI-integrated robotic systems that are easy to manage. What we’re starting to see now and predict to see more of, is prompt-based coding in the industrial co-pilot context that bridges the gap between human intent and machine execution, the rise of mission-based programming for robots, and the synthetic training of robots in virtual environments.
The benefits of all those building blocks when combined with a true cloud-robotic platform enable manufacturers to “De-risk” and “Re-use”. "De-risking" allows manufacturers to validate automation projects without heavy upfront investment, mitigating financial risk. The principle of "re-use" enables the sharing of robotic solutions across the industry, preventing the need to repeatedly solve the same problems and enhancing efficiency among automation practitioners. These approaches collectively will not only grow the adoption of robotics but will also help fuel the U.S. economy.
What would you say to small manufacturers that think robotics is not for them?
I would say that even the longest journey starts with the first step. While automation can seem somewhat intimidating, they should start with a small project, providing them with a quick automation win. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is empowering small manufacturers who are either hesitant about automation or believe it's not for them. There are now accessible options. That’s why we started Vention.
Bonus Video:
Watch "Scaling Up with Automation: A Guide for Small to Medium Manufacturers" with Etienne Lacroix. Etienne explores building the Advanced Manufacturing Team, which is crucial for successful automation projects. He and Brandon Bond, Senior Project Engineer at Actemium, cover essential roles, skills, and leadership needed to implement and manage automated systems effectively. From talent selection to fostering an innovative and continuously improving culture, gain insights into creating a team adaptable to the dynamic nature of automation.
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