Software‑Defined Automation: From Collaborative Co‑Creation to Strategic Deployment
Experience an exclusive, behind‑the‑scenes look at the future of manufacturing with the MLC’s multi‑site tour of two of Ireland’s most advanced innovation powerhouses: the Analog Devices Catalyst Innovation Hub Europe and Eli Lilly’s groundbreaking $2B greenfield biologics campus in Limerick. This immersive tour spotlights how Analog Devices is redefining what’s possible through enabling technologies and physical intelligence that accelerate the shift to software‑defined automation. ADI Catalyst provides a blueprint for ecosystem partnerships across the technology stack from vendor to deployment use case, helping manufacturers solve their biggest challenges through a collaborative approach in an R&D environment.
Then, step inside Eli Lilly’s fully integrated digital manufacturing site—an ultra‑modern biologics facility built to harness cutting‑edge equipment, process automation, and powerful data technologies to achieve sustainability, efficiency, and operational excellence in the highly regulated pharma manufacturing sector. Witness how a global leader is shaping the future of safe, reliable, and scalable medicine production.
Walk Away with Actionable Insights
Key Takeaways:
- Discover how collaborative partnerships can accelerate innovation and solution development.
- Explore focus areas like Manufacturing 4.0, physical intelligence, real-time aware robotics and next-generation wired and wireless Industrial connectivity.
- See how machine learning, AI and automated robotics can enable right-first-time execution.
- Learn how to get to market faster, generate revenue more efficiently, and strengthen your manufacturing ecosystem.
Software‑Defined Automation: From Collaborative Co‑Creation to Strategic Deployment
August 11-12, 2026, Limerick, Ireland
Please note all times listed are in LOCAL time, Irish Standard Time (IST) (UTC +1)
Tuesday, August 11, 2026—Analog Devices
9:30 a.m. – Registration and Transportation
10:00 a.m. – Networking Breakfast in ADI Catalyst
10:30 a.m. – Welcome & Introduction to Analog Devices and ADI Catalyst
Discover how Analog Devices is enabling the Intelligent Edge through leading-edge analog, digital and software technologies—accelerating breakthroughs that deliver real impact for society and the planet. Learn how ADI Catalyst, a collaborative R&D environment, brings partners together to exchange ideas, build living labs and develop breakthrough technologies that move innovation from concept to the shopfloor.
11:15 a.m. – Analog Devices Facility Tours
Group 1 | Material Handling Interactive Case Study Tour
An interactive testbed session exploring the future of material handling, using a wafer fabrication use case to demonstrate how mobile robotics and Rockwell Automation MagneMover® LITE intelligent conveyor systems are transforming operator productivity in next-generation manufacturing. Learn from a real-world collaboration where Analog Devices, Teradyne Robotics, Rockwell Automation and ControlSoft (system integrator) work across the manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate learning and innovation.
Group 2 | Next Generation Robotics Empowered by Physical Intelligence Interactive Case Study Tour
An interactive testbed session showcasing next-generation cobot and humanoid robotic manipulation for manufacturing featuring:
- Dexterous humanoid hand control with advanced tactile sensing to automate increasingly complex manufacturing tasks and allow for human-like task enablement such as bimanual part assembly, cable handling, etc. Analog Devices is pioneering a multimodal tactile sensing prototype that brings complementary physical insights into the manipulation loop.
- Robust and autonomous grasp and insertion of Ethernet cables with a humanoid hand and a cobot arm, controlled by a diffusion-based robot policy, allowing robots to adapt to uncertain and previously unseen scenarios in manufacturing, assembly and maintenance.
Explore how advances in Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) are improving mobile robot productivity by enabling robots to map unknown environments while simultaneously tracking their position in real time.
12:00 p.m. – Analog Devices Facility Tours Continue
Group 1 | Next Generation Robotics Empowered by Physical Intelligence Interactive Case Study Tour
Group 2 | Material Handling Interactive Case Study Tour
12:45 p.m. – Networking Lunch
1:15 p.m. – Advanced Technology Testbed Tours
2:15 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Material Handling with Analog Devices, Teradyne Robotics, Rockwell Automation & Eli Lilly
3:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Robotics & Physical Intelligence Manufacturing Use Case
3:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Manufacturing Leaders Panel Discussion
4:30 p.m. – Depart for Woodlands
6:00 p.m. – Networking Reception and Dinner
8:30 p.m. – Day One Programming Concludes
Wednesday, August 12, 2026—Eli Lilly and Company
8:00 a.m. – Registration
8:15 a.m. – Transportation
8:30 a.m. – Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introduction
9:45 a.m. – Eli Lilly Tour and Production Overview
Group 1 | Facility Tour
Group 2 | Production Overview
10:45 a.m. – Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – Eli Lilly Tour and Production Overview Continue
Group 1 | Production Overview
Group 2 | Facility Tour
12:00 p.m. – Return to Analog Devices for lunch and afternoon Eli Lilly sessions
12:15 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Digital Strategy for a Digital Native Manufacturing Site Session
2:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Data Management
2:45 p.m. – Break
3:00 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Lilly’s Global Digital Approach
4:00 p.m. – Event Concludes
Speakers
Dermot Carragher
Kieran Horgan
Dara O’Sullivan
Colm Prendergast
Conor Ferguson
Maurice O’Brien
Jean-Pierre Hathout
Barry Elliott
Jose J. Garcia
Mike Morrissey
Michael Collins
Anders Billesø Beck
Gerald Madden
Fiona Tracey
Paul Golding
Barry Kennedy
Donough McGrath
Matt Kennedy, Ph.D.
David Higgins
Group Hotel:
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel (Knockanes, Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 F1P9, Ireland)
- Discounted room rates:
Single: €180/night plus taxes/fees
Double: €200/night plus taxes/fees
Suites: €240/night plus taxes/fees - Reservation cut-off date: July 16, 2026
(once the room block is filled, which may be before the cut-off date, availability and rate are not guaranteed) - To make your reservation online, visit www.woodlands-hotel.ie and use group code NAM26.
- To make your reservations by phone, call +353 61 605 100 and reference group code NAM26.
- Important Note: Individual cancellation on guest rooms is to be made by 6:00pm LOCAL TIME, 24 hours prior to check-in date. No changes or cancellations may be made to reservations after 6:00pm LOCAL TIME, 24 hours prior to check-in date.
Airports
Suggested International Airports
- Shannon Airport (SNN)
- Dublin International Airport (DUB) – 2.5 hour train to Limerick
Suggested Travel Dates
Arrival: We suggest you arrive on Monday, August 10, 2026, or very early morning on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Programming will begin at 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
Departure: We suggest you depart in the morning of Thursday, August 13, 2026, or after 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
This is to ensure you do not need to leave the tour and sessions early or miss out on any post-event networking opportunities.
Please note all times listed are in LOCAL time, Irish Standard Time (IST) (UTC +1)
Transportation information
- Details to come.
Important Travel Note
A valid U.S. or international passport is required for entry into Ireland. Passport expiration date must be at least six months from the final event date, August 11, 2026.
