The Connected Workers

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski interviews Howard Heppelmann, co-founder and CEO of OpsMate AI. They discuss the transformative impact of agentic AI on manufacturing operations, the challenges of traditional software in unique factory environments, and the importance of capturing tribal knowledge from experienced workers. Howard emphasizes the need for trust [&...

🎄 Dive into the magic of the season with our special holiday edition of the Connected Workers podcast! Discover how cutting-edge technology is transforming Santa’s North Pole operations, making toy production and global deliveries smarter and safer. From AI mentors to smart glasses, see how innovations showcased on this podcast help all the good little […]

n this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski discusses the evolution of connectivity solutions for frontline workers in harsh environments. Featuring guests from DeltaVue, RuggON, and Ubiqconn, the conversation explores how ruggedized technology and satellite communications are transforming operations in industries like mining and oil and gas. The discussion highlights the i...

In this special episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski explores gratitude for the transformative impact of technology on frontline industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, services, and logistics. It’s a Thanksgiving episode that highlights how innovations like IoT sensors, wearables, AI, and augmented reality are enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency for front...

“The frontline worker is how you bring your heart and soul to the customer.” Join host Andrew Chrostowski as he reconnects with Geoffrey Moore, bestselling author of Crossing the Chasm and a globally renowned consultant with over 35 years of expertise in scaling disruptive technologies. In this episode, Moore shares powerful strategies for accelerating AI […]

In this episode of The Connected Workers Podcast, Andrew Chrostowski and Hsing-Hsing Li of ACELER8.AI discuss the transformative impact of AI on frontline workers and business operations. They explore how the company’s AI tools help breakdown information silos, overcome inefficiencies, manage disruptions, and improve decision-making through better data integration. Better data leads to better deci...

In this episode of the Connected Workers Podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski welcomes Sebastian Beetschen and Timon Binder, CEO and CTO of RealWear, to discuss the groundbreaking launch of the ARC-3 Smart Wearable. They delve into the innovative features of the ARC-3 that make it the easiest to use out-of-the-box industrial wearable yet thanks to its […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski interviews Susan Carlock, the dynamic COO of Murray Mentor. Susan shares her journey from being an ER nurse to co-founding an AI startup aimed at addressing the skills gap in manufacturing. The discussion delves into the importance of tacit versus explicit knowledge, and how Murray […]

In this episode, Andrew Chrostowski interviews Michael Helfrich, founder and CEO of Blueforce Development Corporation, discussing the impact of dual-use military technologies on first responders and frontline workers. They explore how these technologies enhance situational awareness, dissolve data silos, and improve decision-making processes. The conversation covers various applications, including...

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski explains why he is convinced that AI’s gift to frontline workers is an exciting blue-collar renaissance.  As AI and automation reshape the job landscape, Andrew highlights how technology today augments, rather than replaces, human skills. From AI-driven training to the rise of “mixed-collar” jobs, [&#8...

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski and guest David Westrom explore the past as prologue and the evolution of industrial revolutions. They focus on the transition from mechanization to the digital age. They discuss the impact of technologies like PLCs, IoT, enterprise software, and AI on manufacturing productivity. They discuss […]

The manifest destiny of frontline work is the augmented frontline worker – and technology is driving this renaissance in blue collar work! For this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski and Dirck Schou, CEO of Taqtile, discuss the transformative impact of Taqtile’s software platform, Manifest, on frontline work. They explore how Tactile’s Manifest […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski delves into the transformative role of Push to Talk Technology (PTT) in empowering frontline workers with AI as a cognitive companion. Joined by Vincent Higgins, CEO of Rugged Edge, they explore how this technology is revolutionizing communication and decision-making in high-risk environments. Discover how […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski and James Woodall delve into the transformative impact of AI and wearable technology on the future of work. They discuss the evolution from startups to scale-ups, emphasizing the critical role sales plays in crossing the bridge to a scale-up. They highlight the unique challenges faced […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski delves into the transformative power of AI in reshaping industries in 2025. With insights from the MIT NANDA report, Andrew explores why 95% of generative AI pilots are failing despite significant investments. He also discusses AI’s impact on processes, workforces, and connected workforces, highlighting […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski sits down with Rob Duchac from Barcotec to explore the transformative power of digital solutions in the industrial sector. Rob shares insights into the latest innovations in smart glasses and wearable technology, emphasizing the importance of tailoring solutions to meet diverse industry needs. Discover […]

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski explores the transformative potential of AI-powered wearable technology with Paul Travers, CEO of Vuzix. Discover how AI is revolutionizing our interaction with technology, transitioning from smartphones to smart glasses that enhance productivity and connectivity. Delve into the major market opportunity for waveguides in the...

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski delves into the groundbreaking partnership between SAP and TeamViewer, designed to revolutionize the productivity, efficiency and safety of frontline workers. Discover from SAP’s Craig Kindleman and Stephan Braun how SAP’s robust enterprise asset management solutions integrate seamlessly with TeamViewer’s advance...

In this episode of the Connected Workers Podcast, host Andrew Chrostowski delves into the groundbreaking innovations of Energy Robotics with CEO Marc Dassler. Discover how Energy Robotics’ unified platform is revolutionizing high-risk industries by seamlessly integrating diverse robotic systems and data flow for tasks like inspection and monitoring. Learn how their system makes deploying rob...

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski recaps the technologies introduced over the first twenty episodes.  He shares how the various solutions introduced in the series are making a difference in productivity, efficiency, and safety.   It emphasizes that in an industrial landscape with exponentially changing technologies, getting in and taking action […...

This episode explores how ARIX Technologies is revolutionizing safety and efficiency in high-risk operations like oil and gas, chemical plants, and manufacturing through innovative robotic inspection systems. The discussion highlights the evolution of the company, the technology behind their robots, and the significant cost savings and efficiencies enabled by data collection and analysis. The plat...

In this episode of the Connected Workers podcast, Andrew Chrostowski and “Grace Grock” discuss the transformative impact of AI and AI agents in the oil and gas industry. They explore how AI enhances worker safety, boosts productivity, and integrates with IoT devices. The conversation covers the challenges of deploying AI in remote areas, the future […]

This week’s episode was recorded in-person at OTC 2025. I was excited to sit down with Frode Støldal, Chief Digital Officer and President of the Americas for Tampnet, the world’s largest offshore communications network provider.  We discuss how high-capacity offshore networks are enabling the future of work and the connected, frontline worker; the importance of […]

This week’s episode was recorded in-person at OTC 2025 with Ammar Sabbagh, VP of Industry & Partnership for Ericsson who shares his views on the transformative impact Private 5G networks are having in offshore oil and gas operations.  From Digital Twins to real-time data transfers and remote control of operations to Netflix for the crews, […]

In this conversation, Andrew Chrostowski speaks with Russell Holmes, Senior Director at the Center for Offshore Safety, about the critical importance of safety in the offshore oil and gas industry. They discuss the evolution of safety management systems, the role of technology and automation in enhancing safety, and the importance of collaboration among industry stakeholders. […]