The Robot Report Podcast

This week we talk to Chris Savoia, Head of Ecosystem Success, Americas UR Keywords Universal Robots, collaborative robots, automation, mobile manipulators, Polyscope X, robotics trends, safety standards, AI in robotics, UR+, Re-Automated podcast, robotics, automation, MotionPlus, cybersecurity, UR Plus, AI, manufacturing, Universal Robots, Polyscope X, future of robotics Summary In this conversation, Chris Savoia, head of ecosystem success at Universal Robots, discusses the evolution of collaborative robots, the importance of education and reskilling in automation, and the recent advancements in higher payload robots and mobile manipulators. He also shares insights from his podcast, Re-Automated, and highlights the significance of the new Polyscope X platform for developers. In this conversation, Chris Savoia discusses the advancements in robotics, focusing on the value proposition of connecting robots, the enhancements brought by MotionPlus, and the importance of cybersecurity in connected systems. He elaborates on the OptiMove feature that optimizes robot control, the evolution of UR Plus with new partnerships and solutions. Savoia also shares insights on the future of robotics, emphasizing the potential growth in the industry and the impact of AI. Takeaways Universal Robots is focused on unlocking robotics for the masses. Education and reskilling are crucial for the future of automation. Collaborative robots are designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Higher payload robots expand the capabilities of collaborative automation. Mobile manipulators combine the strengths of mobile robots and robotic arms. Safety standards are evolving to accommodate new robotic technologies. Polyscope X enhances the development experience for both developers and end users. The integration of AI and vision technology is key for mobile manipulators. Risk assessments are essential for safe robot deployment. Humanoid robots face unique challenges in safety and functionality. Connecting robots requires a clear value proposition. Cybersecurity is a critical consideration for connected robots. OptiMove simplifies robot speed and acceleration settings. UR Plus has evolved to include over 500 products and solutions. Denmark is a hub for robotics innovation and engineering. The robotics industry is expected to see growth in the coming year. AI will play a crucial role in the future of robotics.

In this episode, co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman cover the leading robotics news stories from the week. In the featured interview this week, Mike Oitzman interviews Anders Fogelberg, co-founder and CEO of FlexQube, a Swedish company specializing in modular material handling solutions and automation. They discuss FlexQube's innovative approach to manufacturing, the transition from manual carts to automated systems, and the company's vision for the future of robotics in material handling. Fogelberg emphasizes the importance of modularity, customer experience, and the evolving landscape of the AMR market. Takeaways FlexQube is a Swedish company with a focus on modular material handling solutions. The company has manufacturing hubs in North America and Mexico. FlexQube's products are designed to be customizable and adaptable to various manufacturing needs. The shift towards automation in material handling is driven by the need for efficiency and safety. FlexQube's Navigator AMR is a unique solution that integrates with existing carts. The company aims to provide a seamless experience for customers transitioning to automation. FlexQube's vision is to be the 'Netflix of AMRs', focusing on application and customer experience. The modular design allows for quick assembly and customization of material handling solutions. FlexQube is exploring partnerships to enhance its offerings in the AMR market. The future of material handling will involve a hybrid model combining traditional methods with advanced robotics. – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by FlexQube. Move material with any size, shape, and weight with the FlexQube Navigator AMR, the world’s first multi-purpose and non-load-carrying robot. The FlexQube Navigator AMR features a standardized coupling interface to connect with an ecosystem of different load carriers depending on the customer's needs. The system also features a safety-rated identification of load carrier footprint to secure a safe and efficient scale-up of different use cases in a factory or warehouse. FlexQube Navigator – robotics that delivers! To learn more about FlexQube’s solutions goto: www.flexqube.com

We’ve got the entire editorial team on this episode as we look back at some of the biggest robotics stories of the year, including the highlights and low lights from the year. Listen to Steve Crowe, Mike Oitzman, Gene Demaitre, and Brianna Wessling as they recap the coverage of the news in 2024. We also hear some perspectives from some friends of the show and industry leaders, including Jeff Burnstein from A3, John Santagate from Körber Supply Chain, and Chris Walti from Mytra Systems. – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by FlexQube. Move material with any size, shape, and weight with the FlexQube Navigator AMR, the world’s first multi-purpose and non-load-carrying robot. The FlexQube Navigator AMR features a standardized coupling interface to connect with an ecosystem of different load carriers depending on the customer's needs. The system also features a safety-rated identification of load carrier footprint to secure a safe and efficient scale-up of different use cases in a factory or warehouse. FlexQube Navigator – robotics that delivers! To learn more about FlexQube’s solutions goto: www.flexqube.com

In this episode, cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman cover the leading robotics news stories from the week. In the featured interview this week, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre interview Ben Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Palladyne AI. Ben discusses the company's evolution from hardware-focused robotics to a software-centric approach. He shares insights on the challenges faced during this transition, the impact of SPAC acquisitions, and how Palladyne AI differentiates itself in the competitive landscape of AI for robotics. Ben also highlights the importance of government contracts and the company's hardware-agnostic strategy, while looking ahead to future opportunities in automation and AI applications. Ben recognized the immediate market potential for the software and AI algorithms developed by the company, and as a result led the pivot from hardware development to a software-centric approach, formulating the new organization. This strategic shift, involving the layoff of hardware teams, significantly reducing their burn rate. Palladyne AI has developed software capable of teaching robots complex tasks in under 20 minutes. This agnostic software operates seamlessly on various third-party robots, accelerating iteration and development cycles. The company boasts contracts with the Pentagon, securing non-dilutive funding while navigating the inherent compliance challenges. This robust AI platform, built upon years of valuable hardware experience, positions Palladyne AI for future growth and scaling their software solutions across diverse industries. To learn more, goto: https://www.palladyneai.com/ – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by FlexQube. Move material with any size, shape, and weight with the FlexQube Navigator AMR, the world’s first multi-purpose and non-load-carrying robot. The FlexQube Navigator AMR features a standardized coupling interface to connect with an ecosystem of different load carriers depending on the customer's needs. The system also features a safety-rated identification of load carrier footprint to secure a safe and efficient scale-up of different use cases in a factory or warehouse. FlexQube Navigator – robotics that delivers! To learn more about FlexQube’s solutions goto: www.flexqube.com

It’s VC week at the podcast. TLDR: This episode features interviews with Juliette Chevallier from Scale Ventures and Jasmine Singh from Jay Moon Ventures and covers investment trends in robotics, emphasizing the importance of execution risk over technical risk. Juliette Chevallier, Principal, Investments, Scale Venture Partners Juliette Chevallier has a background in autonomous vehicles and robotics, having previously worked at companies like Google Chauffeur (now Waymo) and MIT spinoff Optimus Ride. She joined Scale Venture Partners about 2 years ago to lead their investment thesis on robotics, AI applications, and cybersecurity. Scale Venture Partners' approach focuses on investing at the point of execution risk rather than technical risk, looking for companies with a working product and proven product-market fit. Juliette emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer ROI and business model as key criteria. In her role as a VC, Juliette prefers to have a deep, hands-on involvement with portfolio companies, acting as a strategic sounding board and collaborating closely with founders to work through tough problems. She sees her role as helping founders navigate the operational and go-to-market challenges. Juliette notes a renewed interest in robotics from VCs, though she is cautious about some "wild" valuations and funding rounds, preferring bottoms-up market analysis over top-down figures. Juliette is bullish on the potential of robotics foundation models (RFMs) to drive transformation, emphasizing the need for more multi-modal AI models that integrate vision, action, and communication. She is excited about the possibilities of AI to enhance robotics, but cautions about the risks of AI development burning through funding. Overall, Juliette's approach focuses on de-risking execution and operational challenges for robotics startups, leveraging her deep technical and business expertise to support founders. Learn more at: https://www.scalevp.com/ Jasmeet Singh, founder, JMOON Ventures Jasmeet Singh has a diverse background spanning robotics engineering, founding startups, and investing since 2012. As an investor at J Moon Ventures, he focuses on "physical AI" startups - those combining hardware, electronics, and AI in areas like robotics, IoT, and 3D printing. Jasmeet emphasizes the importance of solving real problems, not just building cool technology. He looks for startups with a strong understanding of the user and business model, noting operational challenges like scaling manufacturing and finding the right business model. Compared to the more risk-averse Canadian market, Jasmeet sees the US as a better environment for robotics fundraising. He advises founders to target large, underserved problems and focus on customer service and support. Some of Jasmeet's investments include Orange Wood Labs, Brisk AI, and Rural Hologram. As he launches J Moon Ventures, he is particularly interested in opportunities in agriculture, construction, medical, and sustainability. Overall, Jasmeet brings a unique perspective as an investor with deep technical expertise and operational experience in robotics. He is focused on backing founders solving real-world problems with innovative hardware-software solutions. Learn more at: https://jmoon.ventures/ – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by FlexQube. Move material with any size, shape, and weight with the FlexQube Navigator AMR, the world’s first multi-purpose and non-load carrying robot.The FlexQube Navigator AMR features a standardized coupling interface to connect with an ecosystem of different load carriers depending on the customer's needs.The system also features a safety-rated identification of load carrier footprint to secure a safe and efficient scale-up of different use cases in a factory or warehouse. FlexQube Navigator – robotics that delivers! To learn more about FlexQube’s solutions goto: https://www.flexqube.com

This week, cohost's Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman sit down with author and illustrator Peter Brown to discuss his children's books series: The Wild Robot. The first book in the series was recently released by Dreamworks as an animated movie and has seen tremendous box office success, topping $320 million worldwide and is on the top 100 list of high-grossing animated movies of all time. Peter takes us through his creative writing process, how he researched the book, and what it takes to write stories for children. He also shares the background research about robotics that he did for the book, and how he pulled the plot together for a robot that finds itself shipwrecked on an island filled with wild creatures. He describes why he chose the specific characteristics for the robot in the story. To learn more about Peter goto: https://www.peterbrownstudio.com/ The movie, animated by Dreamworks, is playing at a theater near you, and available now on many streaming services. If you like the episode, please like and subscribe. Thanks for listening

In this conversation, Andrew Clare, CTO of Nuro, discusses the company's evolution in the autonomous vehicle space, focusing on their innovative Nuro Driver technology. He elaborates on the expansion of their business model to include partnerships with automotive OEMs and the potential market for AI driving solutions. Clare highlights the challenges of urban versus highway driving, the importance of safety culture, and the technology stack required for autonomous vehicles. The discussion also touches on the differences between Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy, as well as the future direction of Nuro in integrating hardware and software solutions. – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by RGo Robotics - RGo Robotics' Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, RGo’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler. To learn more about RGo’s solutions goto: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/?utm_source=therobotreport&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_id=n Submissions for presentations and registration are now open for the 2025 Robotics Summit: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

In this episode, co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman cover the leading robotics news stories from the week. In the featured interview this week, Oitzman catches up with Amir Bousani, CEO of RGO Robotics, and Jacob Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer from Wheel.Me Robotics. We discuss the importance of perception for autonomous mobile robots, and discuss Wheel.Me's partnership and decision to leverage RGO Robotics perception engine in their platform. Learn more: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/ https://www.wheel.me/en-us This week, Collaborative Robotics publicly unveiled its Proxie mobile manipulator. We also get an update on Proxie from Brad Porter, founder and CEO of Collaborative Robotics. – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by RGO Robotics - RGo Robotics' Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, RGo’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler. To learn more about RGO’s solutions goto: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/?utm_source=therobotreport&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_id=n Submissions for presentations and registration are now open for the 2025 Robotics Summit: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

Cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman catch up on the latest robotics news of the week, including Mike recent visit to the Stanford Robotics Center. In the featured interview, Mike Oitzman speaks with Marc Segura, the President of ABB Robotics Division, about the latest developments in robotics, particularly focusing on AI integration, market trends, and the future of mobile and collaborative robotics. They discuss the impact of AI on robotics, the current state of the robotics market in the US compared to the rest of the world, and the potential of humanoid robots versus mobile manipulators. The conversation also touches on the evolution of collaborative robotics and its applications in various industries. – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by RGO Robotics - RGo Robotics' Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, RGo’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler. To learn more about RGO’s solutions goto: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/?utm_source=therobotreport&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_id=n Submissions for presentations and registration are now open for the 2025 Robotics Summit: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

In this episode, cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman cover the leading robotics news stories from the week. From the news this week, check out the XPENG Iron humanoid robotics in this YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3wKyFE9HjM In the featured interview this week, Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre interview Marko Bjelonic, CEO and co-founder of Swiss-Mile, discussing the innovative quadruped robot that combines wheels and legs for enhanced mobility. They explore the evolution of the robot from academic research to a commercial product, the engineering challenges faced, and the unique functionalities that set it apart. The discussion also covers potential applications in security and logistics, the importance of autonomy in robotics, and the future direction of Swiss Mile as a technology-focused company. Link: https://www.swiss-mile.com/ – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by RGO Robotics - RGo Robotics' Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, RGo’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler. To learn more about RGO’s solutions goto: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/ Submissions for presentations and registration are now open for the 2025 Robotics Summit: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

In this episode, co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the latest video from Boston Dynamics showing Atlas electric humanoid in an autonomous material movement demo. The video shows the Atlas moving automotive parts from one storage bin to another bin. The hosts discuss the unique aspects of this video and how Atlas appears to move differently from the other competitive humanoid robots in recent demonstration videos. Submissions are now open for the 2025 RBR50 innovation awards. This awards programs celebrate robotics innovation in calendar year 2024, and open to any company worldwide who’s producing robotics or automation solutions. To learn more about the program and submit a nomination form, goto: https://www.therobotreport.com/2025-rbr50-robotics-innovation-awards-open-for-nominations/ In our feature interview this week, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre sit down with Gili Ovadia, VP of Business Development at BionicHive to learn more about their unique warehouse automation solution. The BionicHive Squid mobile robot can drive along the floor of the warehouse, and climb into the warehouse racking to put or get boxes/totes from storage locations on higher shelves. We learn how the system works and discuss where BionicHive is deploying these automate storage solutions. You can learn more about BionicHive at: https://bionichive.com/ – SPONSOR – The show this week is sponsored by RGO Robotics - RGo Robotics' Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, RGo’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler. To learn more about RGO’s solutions goto: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/

In this week's show, Dr. Russ Tedrake from Toyota Research Institute, and Scott Kuindersma from Boston Dynamics discuss their collaboration on humanoid robotics and the integration of AI through large behavior models. They explore the challenges and opportunities in developing general-purpose robots, the importance of human involvement in learning processes, and the role of data in enhancing robot capabilities. The discussion also touches on practical applications, deployment strategies, and the significance of rigorous research in advancing robotics technology. Cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman also review Mike's takeaways from the FIRA 2024 ag-robotics event earlier this week. The show this week is sponsored by Zebra Robotics Automation - It’s time to switch to Zebra Robotics Automation. The company’s cutting-edge Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution is engineered to reduce your costs per unit and give you that unbeatable competitive edge. Don’t settle for less—maximize your profits with Zebra Robotics Automation. To learn more about Zebra's solutions goto: www.zebra.com/fulfillment

On the show this week, co-hosts Steve Crowe, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre review the significant highlights from RoboBusiness 2024 which took place this week in Santa Clara CA. The editors discuss the news from the week and highlights of the keynote sessions. The show this week is sponsored by Zebra Robotics Automation - It’s time to switch to Zebra Robotics Automation. The company’s cutting-edge Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution is engineered to reduce your costs per unit and give you that unbeatable competitive edge. Don’t settle for less—maximize your profits with Zebra Robotics Automation. To learn more about Zebra's solutions goto: www.zebra.com/fulfillment

In this conversation, Dr. Henrik Christensen discusses the intersection of robotics and federal policy, emphasizing the need for more attention and funding for the robotics sector. He highlights the challenges of reshoring manufacturing, the implications of political campaigns on robotics, and the importance of tariffs and immigration reforms. The discussion also covers the impact of recent legislation like the Build Back Better Act and the CHIPS Act on the robotics industry, as well as the future of semiconductor manufacturing and international partnerships in robotics. Takeaways - Robotics needs more federal attention similar to AI. - Reshoring manufacturing is crucial for economic growth. - The Midwest's manufacturing sector is vital for the US economy. - Federal funding for robotics has decreased while AI funding has increased. - Small and medium-sized companies are essential for manufacturing exports. - Tariffs may negatively impact the robotics industry. - The US must rebuild its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. - International partnerships in robotics are necessary for innovation. - Investment in defense and energy production is likely to increase. - Immigration reform is needed to address labor shortages. The show this week is sponsored by Zebra Robotics Automation - It’s time to switch to Zebra Robotics Automation. The company’s cutting-edge Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution is engineered to reduce your costs per unit and give you that unbeatable competitive edge. Don’t settle for less—maximize your profits with Zebra Robotics Automation. To learn more about Zebra's solutions goto: www.zebra.com/fulfillment

On the show this week, we feature a recent conversation with 1X Founder and CEO, Berndt Børnich, and learn all about the company's plan to begin testing of the NEO Beta humanoid in homes. In this conversation, Bernt discusses the launch of 1X's humanoid robot, NEO, and the mission to address labor shortages through robotics. He emphasizes the importance of designing robots for home environments to gather diverse data for AI training, ensuring safety and compliance, and navigating regulatory challenges. The discussion also touches on public perception of robots and the future of humanoid robotics in society. To learn more: https://www.1x.tech/ The show this week is sponsored by Zebra Robotics Automation - It’s time to switch to Zebra Robotics Automation. The company’s cutting-edge Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution is engineered to reduce your costs per unit and give you that unbeatable competitive edge. Don’t settle for less—maximize your profits with Zebra Robotics Automation. To learn more about Zebra's solutions goto: https://www.zebra.com/fulfillment

It's drone week on the podcast, and we feature two interviews from the world of aerial robotics. Today, we talk with Hylio Drones CEO and Co-founder Arthur Erickson. He and his fellow University of Texas, Austin co-founders are focused on the ag-spraying industry and are the largest U.S.-based ag-spraying drone company. The company manufactures its drones entirely in the U.S., and has a healthy pipeline of clients. Learn more: https://www.hyl.io/ The second featured interview is with Heven Drones CEO and co-founder Bentzion Levinson. Heven (pronounced "heaven") Drones are innovating in the drone market by using hydrogen fuel cells instead of lithium-ion batteries to achieve fight times of up to eight hours. Heven is deploying its drone platform into use cases such as infrastructure inspection, security, long-distance package delivery, and military applications. Learn more: https://hevendrones.com/

This week we connected with Bren Pierce, CEO and founder of a young startup that recently decloaked to bring a new wheeled humanoid robot platform to market. Pierce was a co-founder and chief robotics officer at Bear Robotics, and his latest venture is looking at the applications of a wheeled humanoid solution. Pierce is considering deploying this new robot into warehousing and service robotics applications. Imagine a robot that can serve food and bus the tables in a restaurant. Pierce fully understands how to build robotics for this market, and believes that a wheeled robot with two arms is the right solution. Learn more at:https://www.kinisi.tech/ In this episode cohosts Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre also review the top robotics news stories of the week. Please like and subscribe to ensure that you don't miss an episode.

In this episode, we learn all about Yarbo robotics from cofounder Kenneth Kohlmann. Yarbo made its mark with the launch of its first robotic snow blower in 2018, and has now extended the product line with additional attachments including a mower deck and leaf blower. The company has plans to extend the utility of the robotic base with more attachments in the future. Learn more at: https://www.yarbo.com/us

Cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the latest robotics news from the last week, including a review of the July funding report, which topped $1.3B. 1X also unveiled the NEO Beta humanoid model and prepares for pilot deployments into test home environments. The recent news of the Covariant AI acquisition or acqui-hire by Amazon is an interesting strategic move by the retailing giant. Both companies declined to comment on the details of the acquisition, so we asked ex-Amazon robotics leader and current CEO and founder of Collaborative Robotics, Brad Porter, to join us on the show to share his insights into the state of AI development and why this is an exciting move by Amazon. To learn more about Collaborative Robotics, goto: https://www.co.bot/

On the show today, we sit down with Michael Zampano, product engineer from mk North America, and learn all about flexible conveyance, a critical part of many robotic workcells. You'll learn about the Versaflex AP10, a flexible pallet conveyor solution. The Versaflex can be configured to fit the part-feeding requirements of any industrial robotic work cell. The solution is highly durable and can be reconfigured as the production evolves. To learn more about the Versaflex solution go to: https://www.mknorthamerica.com/Products/versaflex-pallet-conveyors/ About Ask an Expert - this series features in-depth discussions with product experts about how those solutions are changing the landscape of automation and robotics. If you'd like to feature an expert from your company on a future episode of "Ask an Expert" - contact our executive producer: Courtney Nagle - cnagle@wtwhmedia.com