Julia Hider Robots and Autonomy Correspondent

Julia Hider graduated from Ohio State University in 2014 with a B.A. in journalism, and joined Gardner Business Media as an assistant editor with Modern Machine Shop in 2017. She has served as an editor on several Gardner Business Media brands, including Production Machining and Additive Manufacturing Media. She is currently a senior editor for Modern Machine Shop and covering robotics for all Gardner Business Media brands.

Compacting and Mobilizing Robots at Automate 2025

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

Automation suppliers are focusing on compact and mobile solutions that can work around manufacturers’ existing equipment and floor plans.

The Rise of Humanoids: Robots Enter a New Era of Versatility

Julia Hider | Manufacturing Connected

Robotics is entering a new phase, one that moves beyond task-specific machines toward adaptable, human-like robots designed to work across a wide range of industries.

Inside The Hub Powering the Next Generation of Robotics Startups

Julia Hider | Manufacturing Connected

MassRobotics is nurturing over 100 robotics startups by providing tailored resources and support, with the aim of advancing robotics in a range of industries, including manufacturing.
#workforcedevelopment

Engineering an Easy-to-Use, Explosion-Proof Cobot for Painting

Julia Hider | Products Finishing

The 20XP incorporates a UR20 cobot that’s modified to be explosion-proof and an innovative programming system to create a safe, easy-to-use method for automating liquid painting processes.

When Will We See Humanoid Robots on the Manufacturing Floor?

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

The robotics industry faces three technical challenges as it moves from single-purpose platforms to a general robotics platform that can work in manufacturing and beyond.

Resolving Four Unexpected Challenges of Mobile Robots

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) with a robotic arm on top enables medical manufacturer RMS to tend as many as eight machine tools at once. But the shop first had to deal with a few unforeseen snags in its implementation.

Troubleshooting AGVs in a Machine Shop

Julia Hider | Manufacturing Connected

The mobility of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) adds a level of flexibility to automation, giving shops the ability to handle more tasks or more machine tools, but can also require adjustment in implementation.

Navigating the Automation Landscape

Julia Hider | Manufacturing Connected

Medical device manufacturer rms Company has steadily advanced its automation strategy through four major phases.

AMRs Are Moving Into Manufacturing: 4 Considerations for Implementation

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

AMRs can provide a flexible, easy-to-use automation platform so long as manufacturers choose a suitable task and prepare their facilities.

KUKA Automation Tech Day Highlights the Power of Integrated Automation Technologies

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

A demonstration of an automated machining cell showed the power of combining vision systems, robots and AMRs.

Expanding Automation Among US Manufacturers

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

AI and vision systems are among the technologies that will make automation more accessible to the small- and medium-sized manufacturers in the U.S.

The Four Phases of a Manufacturer’s Automation Evolution

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

With more and more automation options available for manufacturers, how do shops figure out what works best? Medical manufacturer rms Company has acquired robot arms, AGVs, pallet changers and software, and while it has found success with all, it has learned how some solutions meet its particular needs better than others.

Vibration Compensation Could Increase Use of Robots for 3D Printing

Julia Hider | Additive Manufacturing

Ulendo is working to apply its vibration compensation algorithm for FFF 3D printers to robots, which could expand the use of robots for 3D printing.

Tactile Sensor Could Give Robots Human Touch

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

Gelsight’s tactile sensing technology could give robots more flexibility in the tasks and environments they can handle.

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Robots and 3D Printing

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

In this episode of the AM Radio podcast, Robots & Autonomy Editor Julia Hider joins Additive Manufacturing’s Executive Editor Stephanie Hendrixson and Editor-in-Chief Peter Zelinski to discuss how robots and 3D printing enable each other.

Test Bed Builds Up Robotics Research at Carnegie Mellon University

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

At Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, researchers use a robotic test bed where AMRs deliver Lego bricks to robot arms for assembly to study AI, multirobot collaboration, assembly, safety and more.

Data Fuels Robotics Research

Julia Hider | Modern Machine Shop

At Mill 19, the site of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute and Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, robotics data provides the foundation for AI and digital twins.