THE ENGINEER
Jim
Experience, skepticism, and a mug that usually says it better. Jim knows what it takes to make a machine work. He also knows exactly when to ask an uncomfortable question.
Meet Jim in episode 5WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS
Meet the people.
And the capital expense.
A manufacturing workplace where engineering skill, robotics hype, and management optimism share a very crowded factory floor.
Some assembly.
A lot of opinions.
Automation Circus is a webcomic about automation, robotics, AI, venture capital, and the people who turn impressive ideas into actual production.
The technology can be remarkable. The expectations can be ridiculous. Somewhere in between, someone still has to fix the machine.
Art by AI. Humor (unfortunately) by humans.
THE MAINTENANCE TECH
Mike
Can fix just about anything. Will document almost none of it. Jim’s oldest friend and practical mentor measures experience in years on the floor.
Meet Mike in episode 2THE PROJECT MANAGER
Jordan
Organized, capable, and relentlessly optimistic. Her schedules are immaculate. Whether the universe agrees with them is another matter.
Meet Jordan in episode 7THE $250,000 ROBOT
AX-1
Built to transform manufacturing. Currently moving boxes and figuring out humans. The loading-dock animals may be his most useful colleagues.
Meet AX-1 in episode 6THE FOUNDER
Chad
The man behind AX-1. A gifted salesman with a vest, a valuation, and a remarkably flexible definition of “production ready.”
Meet Chad in episode 4THE NEXT GENERATION
The Intern
Brilliant at AI, code, and simulation. Still learning that physical hardware has opinions. Jim respects the talent; Mike supplies the practical education.
Meet the intern in episode 3THE FACTORY OWNER
The Boss
Sees the future, signs the purchase order, and lets everyone else handle the details. Very proud of the new robot.
Meet the boss in episode 1THE NIGHT SHIFTManagement has left.
Management has left.
The animals have notes.
A dog, a raccoon, and AX-1 work through the big questions behind the loading dock. Sometimes there’s ham.
Read Employee Benefits