"I would urge folks to at least look at what parts of their business could benefit from some form of automation." - Pablo Palafox

In this episode, Parthesh Shastri speaks with Pablo Palafox, Co-founder and CEO of Happy Robot, about how AI agents are transforming industrial operations — from automated supplier coordination to self-correcting autonomous workflows. Pablo shares his journey from computer vision research to building voice-first AI platforms and explains why industrial leaders need to start deploying AI now as adoption cycles shorten and ROI becomes clear.

Pablo holds a PhD in Computer Vision from TUM and previously worked on autonomous systems at Meta’s Reality Labs. At Happy Robot, he now leads a platform that serves 60+ enterprise customers — including several Fortune 500s — with multi-channel AI automation across freight and supply chain communications.

Discussion Points

• Pablo shares how his background in robotics and AI research (inspired by his brother) led him to focus on deep learning.
• The team pivoted after Y Combinator, uncovering communication pain points in freight through Javi’s CFO experience.
• Happy Robot stood out by prioritizing voice-first AI agents and later expanded to multi-channel capabilities.
• Enterprise sales cycles have accelerated as industrials see AI’s value, with customers realizing 100x+ ROI in areas like payment collections.
• AI agents are shifting from structured workflows to autonomous, self-correcting systems — and industrials need to act now to stay ahead.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s CTO – Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Pablo Palafox LinkedIn

Pablo Palafox X

Happyrobot.ai

Ayna.AI Website

"A digital champion isn’t someone who knows how AI works. It’s someone who knows where to apply it.." - Anu Khare

In this episode of our Titanium Economy series, Parthesh Shastri sits down with Anu Khare, CIO of Oshkosh Corporation, to unpack how industrial manufacturers can win with digital. Anu shares Oshkosh’s human-centered approach to transformation—grounded in co-creation, phased implementation, and a sharp focus on business value. He outlines the company’s three-layer digital architecture and explains why supply chain optimization offers the biggest ROI, while finance remains an untapped opportunity. The conversation also covers building digital champions, adapting to workforce shifts, and preparing for a tech-enabled industrial future.

Anu Khare has led Oshkosh’s digital transformation since 2018, driving initiatives across AI, advanced analytics, ERP modernization, and Industry 4.0. Under his leadership, the team has earned seven consecutive CIO 100 Awards and was named a finalist for the MIT Sloan Leadership Award. Prior to Oshkosh, he held senior roles at Koch Industries and United Technologies. An IIT Roorkee graduate, Anu brings more than two decades of experience in tech-driven industrial change.

Discussion Points

• (01:17) The three pillars of digital transformation: value, scale, and cybersecurity
• (03:15) Why aligning with business goals—and co-creating with users—makes change stick
• (04:27) Inside Oshkosh’s 3-layer tech stack: from transactions to predictive intelligence
• (18:53) Labor gaps and Gen Z expectations are fast-tracking industrial digitization

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Anu Khare LinkedIn

Oshkosh Corp

Ayna.AI Website

Titanium Economy

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

"Technology isn't the barrier - adoption is the key challenge facing industrial leaders today." - Nalin Jain

In this episode, Ayna’s Parthesh Shastri speaks with Nalin Jain, Group President of Digital Intelligence at Wabtec Corporation, about the digital transformation sweeping the rail and mining industries. Nalin details how Wabtec, a 150-year-old industrial leader, is leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital solutions to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He highlights innovations like Trip Optimizer, which has helped save 752 million gallons of fuel and cut emissions by up to 25%. The discussion underscores the shift from physical to digital product management and the importance of customer-centric innovation in navigating industrial digitalization. Nalin also emphasizes that technology adoption—not availability—is the biggest hurdle, advocating for AI as a tool to augment human capability.

Nalin Jain brings extensive global experience to his role, overseeing digital and mission-critical control systems across railroad, mining, and port operations at Wabtec. He joined the company in 2019, initially leading the global equipment business before taking charge of its digital transformation efforts. With a mechanical engineering degree from National Institute of Technology, Surat and an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Nalin previously held leadership roles at GE, including CEO of GE Aviation and GE Transportation in South Asia. His expertise spans industrial technology, international business, and strategic digital innovation, making him a key voice in shaping the future of intelligent industrial systems.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Nalin Jain introduces Wabtec’s 150-year legacy and how digital intelligence is transforming rail and mining operations.
• (01:16) Wabtec builds autonomous locomotives and software for coordinating trains across complex networks.
• (03:59) Safety is critical in long-haul operations; efficiency boosts capacity and digital tools drive emissions cuts.
• (07:13) Machine learning now powers predictive maintenance, with AI enhancing—not replacing—human roles.
• (12:08) Digital tools cut emissions by 20–25%; Trip Optimizer alone has saved 752 million gallons of fuel.
• (16:48) Global experience highlights the need for local adaptation; customer focus and curiosity fuel innovation.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Nalin Jain LinkedIn

Wabtec Corp

Ayna.AI Website

Titanium Economy

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn