Automation through machine vision has been central to Paul Wilson’s journey building Scorpion Vision, where visual inspection systems are reshaping how manufacturers operate.

In this episode, Paul shares how he entered the industry without a technical background, took risks early on, and carved a path through persistence, curiosity, and smart partnerships.

We explored how automation in manufacturing opens doors not just for efficiency, but for founders who see possibility in uncertainty. From navigating career pivots to building systems that solve factory challenges, Paul offers a grounded and honest take on what it takes to grow a business in today’s tech-driven landscape.

How Automation Opened the Door

Our highlights from the conversation:

★ A leap into the unknown
Paul didn’t come from a traditional manufacturing background. His path into automation and machine vision began through curiosity, self-learning, and a willingness to figure things out as he went. With no formal training in automation systems, he relied on research, persistence, and early relationships that would later prove invaluable.

★ The power of automation and machine vision
From inspecting thousands of grommets per hour to automating vegetable processing, Paul shares real examples of how automation can improve quality control, reduce labour challenges, and futureproof production lines.

★ AI isn’t just a buzzword
Paul cuts through the hype around AI in manufacturing. He explains how trained neural networks are already transforming machine vision, especially in unpredictable environments like food production. These systems deliver speed and precision where traditional setups fall short.

★ Building a business without doing it all yourself
Instead of trying to master every technical detail, Paul focused on understanding the core value of the technology and building a team around him that could deliver. His story is a reminder that automation is as much about people as it is about tools.

★ Risk, reinvention and doing the work
Whether it’s moving his family across the country or building one of the first e-commerce stores for machine vision components, Paul’s journey shows that automation can create new paths, not just streamline old ones.

🎧 Tune In

If you’re in manufacturing and curious about how automation is actually being used in manufacturing, this episode is full of practical examples, honest lessons, and one founder’s view of how the future of factory work is changing.

You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or watch the full conversation on YouTube. And if you enjoy it, follow the show. We’ve got more episodes coming with people who are shaping the future of manufacturing from the inside out.