Agenda
Monday, September 28
Tuesday, September 29
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1:00pm - 2:00pm
Education Session: Rope Life: From Theory to PracticePresentation Title: Rope Life: From Theory to Practice
Description: This presentation examines why suspension rope life has become a growing challenge in modern traction elevators, especially as compact gearless and MRL systems age into modernization. It connects the history of smaller sheaves and tighter rope paths to the engineering fundamentals of bending fatigue, then translates EN 81 and Feyrer rope-life theory into practical guidance for sheave sizing, groove selection, rope construction, installation, inspection, maintenance, and modernization decisions.
Speaker: Nick O’Donnell, Hyperion Solutions
Bio:
Nick O’Donnell began his elevator industry career in 2014 as a Product Support Engineer with ThyssenKrupp Elevator. Over the next several years, he developed deep expertise in elevator system engineering, with a focus on ropes, machines, and structural design, before moving into engineering leadership. He went on to lead the System Engineering team and later served in a global chief engineering role focused on configuration, standardization, and design automation. Today, Nick is Director of Engineering at Hyperion Solutions, where he leads the product roadmap and R&D team across multiple elevator product lines. Outside of work, he is a father of five, an avid runner, and a karaoke aficionado.
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1:00pm - 2:00pm
Education Session: Scaling Without BreakingPresentation Title: Scaling Without Breaking
Description: An overview of how important reliable power and robust power protection systems are to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operations of elevators. You will hear about the advancements in surge protection systems and how they help to avoid disruptions, costly repairs to electrical systems, as well as protecting electrical components like PC Boards and sensitive controllers.
Speaker: Anya Codack, Delco Elevator Products Ltd.
Bio:
Anya Codack is President of Delco Elevator Products, a family-owned business supporting 400+ independent elevator contractors across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Before Delco, she built and sold several businesses across design, software, marketing, and e-commerce — which gave her a deep appreciation for what it actually takes to grow something from the inside out. She cares a lot about the people she works with, the customers she serves, and finding better ways to do things. She's an active member of NAEC and CECA with a genuine interest in giving back to an industry she's grown to love.
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2:15pm - 3:15pm
Education Session: From Compliance to Culture: Implementing the 9 Safety AbsolutesPresentation Title: From Compliance to Culture: Implementing the 9 Safety Absolutes
Description: Most elevator companies understand the importance of the 9 Safety Absolutes, but struggle when it comes to implementing them. In this session, Sean Madden explores how to move beyond compliance and build operational systems that reinforce accountability, training, communication, and field-level buy-in around the Elevator Industry Safety Handbook updates.
Attendees will learn practical strategies for integrating the 9 Safety Absolutes into onboarding, daily operations, supervisory processes, and company culture to help improve consistency, reduce risk, and strengthen safety ownership across the organization.
Speaker: Sean Madden, Southern Elevator Company
Bio:
Sean Madden is the founder and former CEO of Madden Elevator Company, which he and his wife launched in 2010 from their basement with a vision built on respect, reliability, and quality. Under his leadership, the company grew into a respected industry leader before being acquired by American Elevator Group in 2022. With more than 35 years in the elevator industry, Sean has progressed from hands-on technical roles to executive leadership, specializing in service, modernization, innovation, and business strategy. He is also the author of Empowering Elevator Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. Today, Sean serves as Regional Operations Training Manager at Southern Elevator Company and leads Elevator Strategic Hub, where he helps elevator business owners and leaders build sustainable, high-performing organizations through training, tools, and strategic guidance.
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3:30pm - 4:30pm
Education Session: Residential Elevator Inspections – When and WhoPresentation Title: Residential Elevator Inspections – When and Who
Description: This session provides an overview of key considerations for residential elevator safety, maintenance, and compliance. Attendees will learn how to identify elevator types and features, review general operations, and recognize areas for improvement during installations, service work, and real estate transitions. The course also covers incident response, state and municipal inspection requirements, and practical safe-use practices.
Speaker: Jeff Tarkington, Tarkington Elevator Company, Inc.
Bio:
With a career that began in 1976, Jeff Tarkington brings decades of experience and leadership to the accessibility and residential elevator industry. Early in his career, he gained valuable construction expertise working with a design-build architectural firm specializing in the medical sector. He further expanded his skill set through field management roles with a large general contractor and multiple subcontractors on high-rise construction projects. In 1988, he founded Tarkington Home Repair, securing contracts with the Veterans Administration to rehabilitate homes for disabled Veterans—work that deeply shaped his commitment to accessibility and service. That same year, he completed his first residential elevator installation. In 1991, he transitioned the business exclusively into accessibility and residential elevator services, where the company continues to thrive. This year marks 38 years of dedicated service in the industry.
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3:30pm - 4:30pm
Education Session - AI in the Elevator Service Company - Field and OfficePresentation Title: AI in the Elevator Service Company - Field and Office
Description: This session is for elevator service company owners, operators, and managers who want a clear picture of how AI is changing their industry. The first portion addresses the operational and workforce implications of AI adoption — what shifts in the office, what changes in the field, and what thoughtful planning looks like. The second portion features live demonstrations from an R&D team of technology currently in production, including conversational AI agents, automated workflows, and AI-enabled smart glasses used for field surveys.
Speakers: Douglas vanden Bosch & Enrique Corado, Total Service and Site Service Software
Bios:
With over 30 years at the helm of Site Service Software, Inc., Douglas vanden Bosch stands as a pioneer in developing innovative solutions for the elevator industry. Doug is currently President of Total Service and Site Service Software. Drawing from his early background in chemical engineering and software development, he has created forward-thinking, reliable technologies that have transformed how elevator service companies manage and maintain vertical transportation systems. His unmatched industry experience, combined with his ability to anticipate client needs, has made him a respected leader and problem-solver in a highly technical field. Before becoming president of Total Service and founding Site Service Software, he held key roles as President of Micro Technologies and as a Software Engineer at Mekorma, where he honed his ability to design scalable, impactful software. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, including an internship in foreign currency trading at Citibank and taking a position at Lehman Brothers in New York in finance. A longtime advocate for economic empowerment, he also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for four years, helping build homes for underserved communities. With more firsthand knowledge of elevator service software than anyone else in the country, he continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence in the field.
Enrique Corado is a technology leader with a track record of driving innovation and operational excellence in the field service industry. As the CTO/COO of Site Service Software, he leads the development of Site Service Cloud, a next-generation platform designed to streamline operations and enhance scalability through modern technologies. 2 Document ID: 261204148521043 With expertise in cloud computing, software development, and data engineering, he specializes in building scalable, customer-focused solutions while leading high-performing teams. Passionate about empowering diverse teams and leveraging technology to solve complex challenges, he is dedicated to delivering transformative results that drive business growth and innovation.
Wednesday, September 30
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10:00am - 11:00am
Education Session: Getting it right - ASME A17 / CSA B44 Pit Ladder RequirementsPresentation Title: Getting it right - ASME A17 / CSA B44 Pit Ladder Requirements
Description: The ASME A17.1 / CSA B44 code has many requirements for elevator pit ladders -- some new (2022 and 2025), some existing, and some shaped by A17 Standards Committee interpretations. Plus, A17.3-2023 impacts existing installations. Traditionally, the pit ladder was "by others." Elevator companies were often not involved. Now, they have to be, and the code requirements are detailed and complex. Many are getting it wrong and failing inspections as a consequence. The presentation explains the requirements and provides suggestions on how to ensure compliance. It will also share learnings and implications from the jurisdictions who’ve already adopted the 2022 code, address ongoing areas of safety concern and discuss implications for Maintenance Control Programs.
Speaker: Margaret Lourenco, Smart Elevator Tech, a division of MEI
Bio:
Margaret Lourenco joined the elevator industry in 2015 and ran Smart Elevator Tech from 2016 to 2026, when it was acquired by MEI, Total Elevator Solutions.Smart Elevator Tech designs and manufactures unique products especially for the elevator industry and is the North American market leader for elevator pit ladder solutions, including the patented Retracta Ladder® and the SmartLadder™ - both fully A17.1-2022 compliant solutions. Before joining the elevator industry, Margaret led global supply chain and business process improvement for Levi Strauss. She also has extensive experience in operations, finance, and corporate and brand strategy. Margaret holds an MBA from Stanford and lives in Northern California. She finds it pretty funny that she’s known as the Ladder Lady!
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11:15am - 12:15pm
Education Session: Strength Through Time: The Legacy and Best Practices of Wire RopePresentation Title: Strength Through Time: The Legacy and Best Practices of Wire Rope
Description: This session explores the historical development of wire ropes and their critical role in elevator suspension systems. We will examine current technologies, emerging trends such as MRL designs, and the latest technical standards. Practical guidance on installation, maintenance, periodic inspections, and discard criteria will also be provided.
Speaker: Nicola Imbimbo, Prysmian DRAKA-EHC
Bio:
Nicola Imbimbo is an experienced Elevator & Escalator Technical Senior Manager with extensive expertise in vertical transportation systems. With a strong background in engineering and technical operations, Nicola specializes in suspension technologies, wire rope management, and compliance with international safety standards. Passionate about innovation and best practices, Nicola has led numerous projects focused on optimizing installation, maintenance, and inspection processes to ensure reliability and performance in modern elevator systems.
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1:15pm - 2:15pm
Education Session: Non-Circular Elastomeric Coated Steel Suspension BeltsPresentation Title: Non-Circular Elastomeric Coated Steel Suspension Belts
Description: This presentation covers the fundamental design and variants of belts as well as key benchmark data highlighting the physical properties of the belt suspension system. The presentation will further explore/review the applicable code standards for belts as a suspension means. Belt life cycle as well as traction calculations will also be presented in depth.
Speakers: Dan Walsh & Brent Henderson, Vantage Elevator Solutions
Bios:
Dan Walsh is the Director of Marketing for Vantage Elevator Solutions, where he leads strategic marketing initiatives focused on brand growth, lead generation, and market expansion. Prior to joining Vantage, Dan held leadership roles with KONE Americas, including Director of Modernization Major Projects and Smart Building Technologies and Area Offering Manager for North America’s modernization business. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of International Sales for Kinetek Industries and Director of Worldwide Sales for Draka Elevator Products. He began his career with Walsh Associates, Ltd., eventually becoming Vice President of Project Management. Dan earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and speaks Spanish and German.
Brent Henderson is currently the Product Director for hoisting equipment at Hollister-Whitney. Brent began his career as a Research and Development engineer at Hollister-Whitney in 2013 and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the Product Development organization. Brent holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Illinois University.
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2:30pm - 3:30pm
Education Session: Evolving Elevator TechnologyPresentation Title: Evolving Elevator Technology
Description: This session explores the evolving technology behind elevator communication systems, with a focus on emerging video and text capabilities. Attendees will gain insight into how these advancements are reshaping emergency communication, improving accessibility, and influencing updates to industry codes and standards.
Speaker: Don Holloway, Kings III Emergency Communications
Bio:
Don Holloway has been in the elevator industry for over 20 years and has spent the last 13 with Kings III Emergency Communications as the Chief Manager of Field Services. He holds a QEI, CET, CET-S and elevator mechanics license in over 39 states. He also holds a CEI in Florida, an electrical contractor’s licenses SP-EL for North Carolina and sits on the ASME Electrical Code Committee.
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2:30pm - 3:30pm
Education Session: Because the Code Says So.. A18.1Presentation Title: Because the Code Says So.. A18.1
Description: Participants will learn how to interpret essential requirements, avoid common compliance pitfalls, and confidently make decisions in the field, simply because the code says so. Through examples, discussion, and clarification of frequently misunderstood areas, this course equips attendees with the knowledge needed to ensure safer, code-compliant accessibility equipment.
Speakers: Kevin Rusin, McKinley Elevator Corporation & David Lair, Hankin Specialty Elevators
Bios:
Kevin Rusin is the President of McKinley Elevator Corporation and a respected industry leader with 35 years of experience. He serves on the Boards of both AEMA and NAEC, playing a key role in shaping the future of accessibility and elevator technologies. Kevin also contributes to national code development as an Alternate on the A18.1 Committee, reinforcing his commitment to safety, innovation, and industry advancement.
David Lair is the Operations Manager for Hankin Specialty Elevators. David has over 30 years of experience as a licensed elevator mechanic in California and Nevada, Member of the A17.1 Private Residence and LULA Code Committees. David has a passion for the Elevator industry, with a strong commitment to safety and training.
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4:00pm - 5:00pm
Education Session: "Hoisting & Rigging", Safety and Work ProducersPresentation Title: "Hoisting & Rigging", Safety and Work Producers
Description: This interactive session will provide participants with a practical understanding of safe work practices, code references, and proper procedures related to hoisting and rigging activities. The session will combine an informative presentation with an engaging Jeopardy style game.
Speakers: Daniel Newlin, Clif Frazier, & Greg Nagle, Elevated.
Bios:
Daniel Newlin serves as the Director of Safety and Technical Training at Elevated Facility Services, bringing more than 28 years of combined field and office experience in the elevator industry. Throughout his career, he has held key roles with leading organizations including KONE (Field Technician), Otis (Adjuster), Elevator Control Service (Operations Manager), and Delaware Elevator, where he served as Safety & Education Manager, Supervisor, Superintendent, and Mechanic. Daniel currently resides in Virginia and is assigned to Elevated Facility Services Headquarters in Tampa, where he focuses on advancing safety standards, technical excellence, and workforce development across the organization.
Clif Frazier began his career in the elevator industry on June 1, 2000, with Otis Elevator Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He spent five years (2005–2010) traveling nationwide as a Foreman and Adjuster for Otis Elevator, gaining extensive field and leadership experience. In June 2010, he was promoted to Operations Manager for the Otis Albuquerque, New Mexico branch, overseeing Service, Modernization, and New Equipment operations across New Mexico, West Texas, and southern Colorado. In July 2012, he returned to his hometown of Pensacola, Florida, accepting a Maintenance Supervisor role. In 2019, he advanced to Regional Field Operations Manager. In November 2023, he accepted the position of Director of Field Operations for Elevated Facility Services, continuing his leadership career with a strong focus on operational excellence, safety, and team development.
Greg Nagle serves as Vice President of Operations at Elevated Facility Services, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the elevator industry with Otis and Schindler Elevator. He previously held the role of Vice President of Service Sales for Schindler North America, and his leadership experience with Otis included international assignments in Singapore and the Philippines. Greg brings extensive operational expertise and a global perspective to his role, with a focus on process standardization, cost optimization, safety, procurement, fleet management, dispatch, and EPIC. He resides in the Greater Tampa Bay area with his wife and two sons.
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1:15pm - 2:15pm
Education Session: Preparing for a Residential Elevator InstallationPresentation Title: Preparing for a Residential Elevator Installation
Description: This session will focus on the preparation of the installation of residential elevators. It will cover Sales, Project Management Review & Compliance, Pre-construction Planning, Site Inspections and Electrical Rough-in, Code Compliance, Final Site Inspection, and Installation.
Speakers: Chris Harris & Justin Hansen, A+ Elevators & Lifts
Bios:
Chris Harris began his career in the elevator industry in 2000, working for an accessibility, residential and commercial elevator contractor. Working his way through the ranks over the years, he has worked as a new construction mechanic, modernization, service mechanic, manager, and Director of Research and Development and Engineering for their manufacturing operations. In 2010, Chris opened A+ Elevators & Lifts, an accessibility, residential, commercial, and industrial elevator contractor, which today, operates in six states, and includes high-end custom residential cab and commercial interior manufacturing. Chris is currently CET-S and CAT-S certified, and dual-QEI certified through NAEC and NAESA. Chris currently serves the NAEC as a member of Accessibility & Residential Committee and Certification Board.
Justin Hansen began his career in the elevator industry with A+ Elevators & Lifts in 2015. Justin serves as VP of Field Operations managing field operations for the six states A+ operates in. Justin is currently CAT-S certified and currently serves NAEC as member of NexGen and the Chair of the Accessibility & Residential Committee.
Thursday, October 1
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9:15am - 10:15am
Education Session: Why Doors are Responsible for 70% of Your CallbacksPresentation Title: Why Doors are Responsible for 70% of Your Callbacks
Presentation Description: Industry data consistently shows that door systems generate the majority of elevator service callbacks. This session unpacks why, using Newton's three laws of motion as the framework to connect everyday door behavior to the physics that govern it. Attendees will work through the kinematics of door motion (position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk), the work-energy theorem and how kinetic energy scales with mass and velocity, and the practical implications for door operator tuning, code compliance, and reversal force. The presentation walks through real-world failure modes, the role of clutch engagement and interlock sequencing, and how modern door operator design choices directly affect callback rates, ride quality, and passenger safety. Mechanics, field engineers, consultants, and inspectors will leave with a sharper diagnostic vocabulary and a clearer understanding of why certain "nuisance" callbacks keep recurring, and what can be done about them at the design, installation, and maintenance levels.
Speaker: LJ Blaiotta, Columbia Elevator, Inc.
Bio:
Affectionately known in the industry as “LJ,” Louis J Blaiotta is the Owner, President & CEO of Columbia Elevator, a leading manufacturer of architectural elevator products supplying the North American vertical transportation industry with high-quality Cabs, Entrances and Door Systems since 1965. Since 1988, LJ has been a member of the Hoistway Committee of ASME's A17.1 Elevator & Escalator Safety Code. In 2004, he became a member of the Elevator Advisory Board to the New York City Department of Buildings. More recently, LJ served as a board member and Treasurer of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) where his contributions were recognized with the association's prestigious President's Award as well as the William C Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award in 2020.Born in Port Chester, New York, LJ received his BS in civil engineering in 1986 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1990, he received the NY State EIT engineering licensing certificate, and, in 1993, his MBA in strategic planning from Lubin School of Business at Pace University. LJ and his wife, Laura, live in Westchester County, New York.
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9:15am - 10:15am
Education Session: Elevator Industry Safety Codes: Everything You Want to Know, Beyond the Elevator CodesPresentation Title: Elevator Industry Safety Codes: Everything You Want to Know, Beyond the Elevator Codes
Presentation Description: The presentation will cover other model codes that impact elevator installation and operation. Learn about key updates to several model codes that could affect your business in a comprehensive presentation with firsthand knowledge of the code development process. Kevin and Eric will outline key changes to the accessibility, building, electrical, fire prevention, and international codes.
Speakers: Kevin Brinkman and Eric Powell, NEII- National Elevator Industry, Inc
Bios:
Bringing over 30 years of elevator and lift industry experience, Kevin Brinkman has been responsible for Codes at NEII since 2015. In his role as senior director for codes, he focuses on code development and adoption. Mr. Brinkman serves on a number of influential code development committees in his position. He is a member of the ASME A17 Standards Committee for the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, the vice-chair of the ASME A17 Code Coordination committee, and chair of the Editorial committee as well as being a member of several other A17 working committees. Mr. Brinkman also serves on the International Code Council/ANSI A117.1 Committee, NFPA 5000 and 101 technical committees, and is involved in the International Building Code process. Mr. Brinkman’s previous work experience includes serving as Vice President of Engineering for ThyssenKrupp Access and National Wheel-O-Vator, both manufacturers of small elevators and lifts. He has also been a consultant in the elevator industry. Mr. Brinkman graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and is a Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.
Eric Powell brings to NEII over 25 years of experience in the elevator industry with a focus on design and development. He has worked at two major elevator companies, KONE and Mitsubishi Electric. At Mitsubishi Electric, Eric served as a Senior Manager of Engineering in the R&D group developing new product applications and product lines. This included market surveys, patent research, system level calculation tool development, as well as component design and cost estimation. At KONE, Eric served in roles ranging from project engineering to system level design. His work included risk assessments, code compliance validation, product management, systems engineering, as well as quality and cost containment. Eric has been a participating member of the NEII Central Code Committee since 2019. He is a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology (Mechanical Engineering) and Rice University (Economics), as well as a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.
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10:30am - 11:30am
Education Session: Robot to Elevator Integration - Demystifying a New FrontierPresentation Title: Robot to Elevator Integration - Demystifying a New Frontier
Description: Discover how elevators can safely and seamlessly support the next generation of autonomous robots in multi‑story buildings. This session explores a standardized solution across elevator brands. We will discuss a code‑compliant approach to robot‑to‑elevator integration which provides the needed capabilities for robot use and at the same time ensures public safety and cybersecurity requirements are met. Attendees will gain practical insight into real‑world architectures, installation best practices, and interface hardware through both technical discussion and hardware demonstration.
Speaker: Ken Lambert, ST Engineering, Aethon
Bio:
Ken Lambert is an engineer with more than 23 years of specialized experience developing systems that enable autonomous mobile robots to interface with elevators. Throughout his career with ST Engineering / Aethon, he has designed hardware and software solutions that allow robots to safely and reliably navigate multi-floor environments. Ken has personally installed and commissioned robot-to-elevator interface solutions on elevator equipment from over 20 manufacturers, with deployment experience across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia in hospitals, hotels, and commercial facilities worldwide. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ken brings rare hands-on expertise at the intersection of robotics, controls engineering, and vertical transportation. His presentation, Robot to Elevator Integration – Demystifying a New Frontier, offers practical insights into how autonomous mobile robots interact with elevators, common implementation challenges, and the emerging opportunities this technology creates for the elevator industry.
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10:30am - 11:30am
Education Session: Door Lock MonitoringPresentation Title: Door Lock Monitoring
Description: Understanding DLM can be confusing, especially when determining whether an existing elevator already meets the requirements or what modifications are needed to comply. This webinar explains the purpose behind Door Lock Monitoring, outlines the key code requirements, and walks through the steps to evaluate compliance on your elevators. In this presentation you will learn what Door Lock Monitoring is, why it was added to the code, how to determine if an elevator already has DLM, and what options are available to become compliant. We will also cover Illinois-specific code requirements and highlight the details that make compliance in Illinois unique.
Speakers: Omar Gil & Joel Gilmer, Argus Elevator
Bios:
Omar Gil is the president of Argus Elevator, manufacturer of the popular Argus Door Monitor, and the newly released Argus Door Restrictor. Omar has over 15 years of electrical engineering experience and has led the electronic design of over ten successful products across the medical, industrial, gaming, and elevator sectors.
VP Sales and Marketing at Argus Elevator Joel Gilmer is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Argus Elevator. Joel has helped customers for more than 15 years design hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical control systems across the life science, medical, semiconductor, and advanced robotics markets.