The Robot Report Podcast

On the show today we recap the October funding stories and other robotics news stories of the last week, and then talk to Joyce Sidopoulis and Marita McGinn from MassRobotics about the upcoming 2024 MassRobotics Accelerator program (applications close Nov 30). For our featured interview, we talked to Brightpick CEO Jan Zizka about the capabilities and application of the new Brightpick mobile manipulator for eaches picking with the warehouse. For links to all of the stories with reference on the show today, check out the show notes on therobotreport.com

Dr. Kate Darling, heading AI and ethics research group at Boston Dynamics, discusses AI, humanoid robots, and her kids' love for the Marty Robot at the local supermarket. The podcast recaps RoboBusiness 2023 event and Amazon's testing of Digit humanoid. Excitement surrounds the possibilities of automation in transportation and urban infrastructure. The challenges of creating humanoid robots and the importance of societal adaptation to effectively utilize robots are explored.

In this podcast, RGO Robotics and Verizon discuss the evolving nature of AI and its impact on the perception and autonomy of mobile robots. They also explore how Verizon's 5G network can support the computing and communication needs of the robotics industry. The podcast covers news of a funding round for mobile robotics software provider Formant and includes a quick interview with their CEO. It also touches on topics such as investments in the robotics industry, generative AI, and the potential impact of 5G on mobile robotics.

Daniel Theobald, Founder and Chairman of Vecna Robotics, talks about funding early-stage robotics startups. He shares his experience in the industry and discusses the Robotics Startup Workshop at RoboBusiness 2023. Daniel also discusses his ag-robotics test ground on his personal farm, the challenges of ag robotics, and the Acorn robot platform as a solution for agriculture. The chapter highlights the importance of funding and aligning government contracts with development timelines, and the challenges in obstacle detection and wireless communication in outdoor robotics.

CEO and co-founder of Four Growers, Brandon Contino, discusses the technical and business challenges of building robots for greenhouse food harvesting. The podcast also mentions TRI using Generative AI to teach robots dexterous manipulation behaviors.

Melonee Wise, CTO at Agility Robotics, discusses the potential of humanoids and mobile manipulation robots. They dive into the advantages of bipedal mobile manipulators and the use of combo grippers in warehouses. The interview highlights Agility Robotics' advancements in humanoid technology and their role in transitioning automation systems.

Andrew Smith, CEO and co-founder of Outrider, discusses their efforts in commercializing yard automation using autonomous vehicles. They highlight the benefits of automation in improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the supply chain. The podcast also covers topics like the decline in robot sales, the impact of the pandemic on logistics and e-commerce, and Outrider's partnerships and go-to-market strategy.

Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas discusses the development of legged robotics and the launch of the company's first commercial humanoid robot, Apollo. They also explore the market potential and demand for humanoid robots in the logistics industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities. The discussion emphasizes the performance, affordability, and unique design of the Apollo humanoid robot.

Enzo Wälchli, Chief Commercial Officer at ANYbotics, discusses the explosion-proof ANYmal quadruped robot and its applications in extreme environments. They also talk about the company's expansion and collaboration, and the challenges of autonomous vehicle testing and the self-driving car industry.

This week, cohost Mike Oitzman catches up with a longtime friend and fellow podcaster Kevin Lawton, host of The New Warehouse Podcast. We talk about the state of automation in the warehouse and how the market is evolving. Be sure to check out The New Warehouse Podcast for everything related to warehouse operations and technology.