Automation was proceeding at a rapid pace in many factories and warehouses before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now, however, concerns over worker health, the need for social distancing, and the relentless push for cost-cutting are accelerating the progress of robots for order fulfillment.

A panel discussion featuring experts from the Dykema law firm and The Right Place about automaker and supplier perspectives on the auto industry and U.S. economy, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Vanessa Akhtar, principal with management consultancy Kotter, offers advice for manufacturers on the right path to automation — one that includes human workers in the equation.

Bobby Holland, vice president and director of freight data solutions with U.S. Bank, discusses the results of the firm's latest quarterly Freight Payment Index, what it means for truckers, and how it mirrors trends in the economy as a whole.