The Robot Report Podcast Beyond Manufacturing: AI-Powered Robotics and the Long Tail of Commercial Innovation
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Aug 15, 2025 Dave Coleman, Chief Product Officer and Founder of Picknik Robotics, dives into the future of AI-powered robotics in commercial settings beyond manufacturing. He discusses the versatility of humanoid robots showcased at recent competitions and highlights Singapore's role as a key hub for robotics innovation. The conversation touches on the importance of balancing traditional automation with AI advancements and the need for workforce reskilling. Coleman also shares insights on unique applications of robotics in niche markets, emphasizing their growth potential.
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Never Fully Replace Classical Controls
- Combine classical control with ML rather than replacing legacy systems entirely.
- Verify ML outputs with fast deterministic controllers and collision checkers to keep behavior safe and auditable.
Four Generations Of Robotics Software
- Robotics has evolved through distinct algorithmic generations from PLCs to end-to-end models.
- Each generation adds capability, but preceding generations remain useful and verifiable for production systems.
End-To-End Remains Mostly Research
- Most deployed robot arms still rely on PLCs and waypoint programming rather than end-to-end ML.
- True end-to-end production deployments are still rare beyond research demos.