When it comes to customer expectations,  responsiveness, technical fluency, and consulting are no longer differentiators; they’re prerequisites. Standing still is falling behind. That’s why at the heart of meaningful improvement in customer experience is continuous education. Don’t just know your craft, grow with it. Continuous learning is about everyday habits, cultural mindsets, and a commitment to learning as service.

At SMTAI 2025, we polled several automated inspection experts to learn more about their market and emerging customer needs. Among others, we spoke with Nick Fieldhouse, OEI product manager for automated inspection systems, Omron, and Allen Phung, head of sales, America, Koh Young America. We asked them about the current market drivers for automated inspection, including AOI, SPI, and AXI, and sought more details about trends in inspection using artificial intelligence and machine learning.

From EVs and aerospace to automation and consumer electronics, wire harnesses are essential for reliable connectivity and drive investments in skilled talent, standardization, and innovation. Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and India are emerging as key hubs, not just to meet the demand of an evolving and growing wire harness market, but also as centers for workforce development and manufacturing.