The Robot Report Podcast

Laura Major, President and CEO of Motional, is leading advancements in autonomous vehicles, focusing on AI, safety, and regulatory compliance. She shares successes from pilot programs in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh, emphasizing the role of simulation in development. Sankaet Pathak, Founder and CEO of Foundation, discusses the vision behind his humanoid robotics company, tackling industry challenges and the significance of practical applications. Their insights highlight the future potential of robotics in diverse fields such as manufacturing and logistics.

Welcome to our 200th episode! Our guest in this episode is Dr Robert Ambrose, Texas A&M professor and Chairman of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Alliant. In this conversation, Dr. Rob Ambrose discusses his extensive experience in robotics and artificial intelligence, particularly during his time at NASA. He highlights the evolution of robotics in space exploration, the transition to commercial applications, and the importance of education in fostering the next generation of engineers. Dr. Ambrose emphasizes the need for the U.S. to regain its leadership in robotics amidst growing competition from countries like China, and he advocates for a proactive approach to innovation and automation in various industries. We take a walk down memory lane and recap some of our favorite moments on the show from the last five years. Steve Crowe, Gene Demaitre, and Mike Oitzman talk through some stats from the show over 200 episodes. We also want to thank our special guests on this episode who stopped by for a quick message, including Jonathan Hurst, Aaron Prather, Kevin Lawton, Victor Splittgerber, and Joe Wieciek. And thanks to all of our fans of the show. We love meeting you at shows. Please like, follow/subscribe, and leave a review. The best way to help us grow is to share the show with a colleague.

Our guest in this episode is Cam Myers, founder and CEO of CreateMe. He discusses the innovative application of robotics and adhesive technology in garment production. He shares insights on the challenges faced in automating clothing manufacturing, the benefits of using adhesives over traditional sewing methods, and the potential for reshoring production in response to changing tariffs. The discussion also touches on the future trajectory of CreateMe, emphasizing sustainability and the importance of adapting to consumer demands. Learn more about CreateMe at: https://www.createme.com/

In this conversation, Robert Kufner, CEO and President of SDP/SI, discusses the evolution of the company in response to the changing demands of the tech industry, particularly in automation and robotics. He highlights the importance of customer feedback and investment in advanced manufacturing technologies. The discussion also covers the impact of the changing tariff landscape on SDP/SI and its customers, emphasizing the company's strong position as a US manufacturer. Finally, Kufner addresses sourcing challenges and the future of materials needed for manufacturing. Let’s dive into the critical role of precision, quality, and alignment in robotics design and assembly. S-D-P S-s engineering experts go beyond the standard manufacturing process by reviewing your designs before production, offering cost-effective, space-saving solutions that streamline your entire assembly process. Discover how we help robotics companies achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how S-D-P S-I can elevate your robotics applications. Discover the difference! Visit https://sdp-si.com

Our guest in this episode is Nicolas Radford, CEO and co-founder of Persona AI. Persona is commercializing a multi-purpose humanoid to personify AI, enabling the next wave in robotics. No longer are robots confined to the factory floor performing pick and place, welding, or painting, but they are now capable of tasks traditionally reserved only for human-level coordination and mobility. We hear about his new venture with Persona, and teaming up with Jerry Pratt, another well-known roboticist in the humanoid space. Learn more about Persona at: http://persona.ai/ ### Our sponsor this week is SDPSI. Let’s dive into the critical role of precision, quality, and alignment in robotics design and assembly. At SDP/SI, our engineering experts go beyond the standard manufacturing process by reviewing your designs before production, offering cost-effective, space-saving solutions that streamline your entire assembly process. Discover how we help robotics companies achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how SDP/SI can elevate your robotics applications. Discover the difference! Visit https://sdp-si.com/ to learn more.

Our guest in this episode is Geoffrey Biggs, CTO of the Open Source Robotics Foundation. He updates us on the recent ROS 2 Kilted Kaiju release, the pending ROS 1 sunset and the future of OSRF. Co-host Steve Crowe returns from Georgia with an update on the 2025 ICRA event. He discusses the event and all of the various robot demos at the event. ICRA is primarily a research-focused robotics event, and it offers attendees the opportunity to see the latest research projects from labs around the world. ### Our sponsor this week is SDPSI. Let’s dive into the critical role of precision, quality, and alignment in robotics design and assembly. At SDP/SI, our engineering experts go beyond the standard manufacturing process by reviewing your designs before production, offering cost-effective, space-saving solutions that streamline your entire assembly process. Discover how we help robotics companies achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how SDP/SI can elevate your robotics applications. Discover the difference! Visit https://sdp-si.com/ to learn more.

Ujjwal Kumar, Group President at Teradyne Robotics, Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, and Carole Franklin, Director of Standards Development at the Association for Advancing Automation, join to recap the 2025 Automate show. They discuss a pivotal shift towards AI and software in robotics, unveiling a new safety standard for humanoids. Innovations like ceiling-mounted systems for enhanced productivity are explored, along with insights into the UR15 launch and the crucial role of AI in shaping the future of automation and workforce training.

Giovanni Campanella, the Industrial Automation and Robotics General Manager at Texas Instruments, sheds light on the evolving landscape of robotics design. He discusses the crucial role of safety in humanoid robots and the need for innovative chipset solutions. The conversation highlights the expansion of robotics into healthcare and agriculture, exploring new applications and challenges. Giovanni also shares insights on the future of robotics technology, emphasizing the demand for adaptable engineers in a rapidly changing industry.

Experience the energy of the 2025 Robotics Summit live from the expo floor! Hear fascinating discussions about humanoid robots and the innovative Alpha 2 mobility aid. Dive into collaborations aimed at enhancing technology for the deafblind community. Learn from personal stories of networking success and the critical role of precision in robotics design. Listen to insights on iterative product development and the importance of community in shaping the future of robotics. Celebrate the vibrant international diversity enriching this transformative event!

Angus Pacala, Co-founder and CEO of Ouster Lidar, shares insights on groundbreaking advancements in lidar technology. He highlights how 3D lidar enhances safety and flexibility in industrial applications, surpassing traditional 2D systems. The discussion also covers Ouster's innovative hardware evolution, the critical role of software-defined capabilities, and the future of humanoid robotics. Pacala addresses the ongoing challenges of cost reduction and the imperative for continuous innovation in the fast-paced lidar landscape.