University of Tennessee Visits Automation Company to Strengthen Industry-Education Partnerships

How Do You Prepare Engineers for a World Where Machines Learn?

Manufacturing today isn’t just about gears, motors, and conveyor belts. It’s about intelligent automation, adaptive robotics, and data-driven decision-making. As industrial technology advances at an unprecedented pace, educators and engineers alike are asking a critical question:

How do we prepare the next generation of engineers for a world where machines think, adapt, and integrate smoothly into human workflows?

That very question led representatives from the University of Tennessee to DRM. As part of their ongoing exploration of automation’s role in modern manufacturing, they set out to examine how real-world system integration aligns with academic engineering programs.

A Different Kind of Manufacturing Facility

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce arranged the visit, steering the UT team toward a system integrator in addition to traditional manufacturers. Unlike traditional manufacturing plants, DRM specializes in making machines talk to each other—whether integrating PLCs, vision systems, or advanced robotics. DRM works with robotics companies like KUKA and FANUC to integrate robotics, AI, and industrial data solutions into customer processes.

During the visit, the discussion spanned automation, AI, and even quantum computing. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are actively reshaping manufacturing today.

“We’ve been one of the best-kept secrets in Lawrence County for too long,” said Barry Brian, partner at DRM. “It’s exciting to bring people in, show them what we do, and talk about the real impact of automation and data-driven manufacturing.”

The Reality Check for Future Engineers

Engineers don’t just need to know how machines work. They need to understand how machines work together in highly integrated production environments.

Traditional engineering programs teach circuit design, thermodynamics, and mechanical principles, but today’s automation challenges demand a broader skill set. To succeed, engineers must be fluent in:

By exposing future engineers to active, working automation environments, collaborations like this help ensure that the next generation of engineers is ready to drive the industry forward.

Engineering the Future, Together

Real-world system integration isn’t something that can be learned from a textbook. It requires hands-on experience, exposure to live automation environments, and the ability to bridge theory with execution. With automation evolving faster than ever, now is the time for industry and academia to work together to get it right.

At DRM, we’re always looking for ways to collaborate with educators and industry leaders. If your institution or organization is interested in bridging the gap between engineering education and real-world automation, we’d love to connect.