The Robot Report Podcast

In this episode, Mike LeBlanc, co-founder of Foundation and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, particularly his early entrepreneurial experiences with Cobalt Robotics and the lessons learned as a second-time founder. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the robotics industry, emphasizing the importance of hardware and the potential of humanoid robots in various applications, including military and space exploration. LeBlanc also outlines his ambitious goals for deploying a fleet of 10,000 robots and the significance of effective team building and hiring practices in achieving success. To learn about Foundation goto: https://foundation.bot/ Please like and share the episode to help us grow.

In this episode, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre interview Rebecca Hu-Thrams, CEO and co-founder of Glacier, about the challenges and innovations in recycling technology. Rebecca discusses the complexities of the recycling process, the role of automation in improving efficiency, and Glacier's mission to modernize recycling systems. She highlights the importance of partnerships with major companies like Amazon and Colgate Palmolive to enhance recycling outcomes and reduce carbon emissions. The conversation also covers Glacier's unique approach to building custom recycling robots and their impact on the circular economy. To learn more about Glacier Robotics goto: https://endwaste.io/ Mike Oitzman catches up with Parallax Worlds CEO Tanmay Agarwal to learn more about its recent funding round. Learn more at: https://www.parallaxworlds.com/

In this episode, Kristian Kassow, co-founder of Universal Robots and managing director of Kassow Robots, discusses the evolution of collaborative robots. He shares insights on the development of seven-axis cobots, the advantages of built-in torque sensors, and the integration of cobots with mobile robots. Kristian also highlights the role of partnerships in expanding Kassow Robots' global reach and the future of collaborative robotics in various industries. Learn more about Kassow Robotics: https://www.kassowrobots.com/ ### Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman also cover the news of the week. Including Sunday Robotics new Memo humanoid: https://www.sunday.ai/ ### Keep up to date on the latest robotics news at The Robot Report and Automated Warehouse: https://www.therobotreport.com/ https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com

In this episode, we sit down with Fareed Aljawhari, the CEO and founder of Micropolis Robotics, to explore the evolution of robotics in Dubai and the Middle East. Aljawhari shares his unique journey from a creative director to a leader in robotics, discussing the pivotal shift from digital twins to autonomous robots. The conversation explores Micropolis' modular approach, strategic partnerships, and the critical role of Dubai government support in driving technological advancement. Aljawhari also highlights the company's focus on IoT and edge computing as integral components of their automation strategy. To learn more about Micropolis Robotics goto: https://www.micropolis.ai/

In this episode, Mike Oitzman, Gene Demaitre, and Chris Finger discuss the role of Harmonic Drive in space robotics, exploring the challenges and innovations in designing robots for space applications. They examine the history of Harmonic Drive's involvement in space missions, the trends in space commercialization, and the technical considerations for gearing in space environments. *** SPONSORED BY HARMONIC DRIVE To learn more about Harmonic Drive products or contact a sales representative in your area, go to www.harmonicdrive.net or call 978-532-1800

Join Dr. Robert Ambrose, a robotics education expert from Texas A&M, and Dhaval Jadav, CEO of Alliant Group, as they delve into the vital role of STEM education in reshoring manufacturing. They discuss the U.S. engineer shortage versus global competition and emphasize how robotics competitions inspire young minds towards STEM careers. Early exposure for girls in STEM is highlighted as crucial, along with the importance of continued engagement post-high school to nurture future engineers. Alliant's commitment to scholarships and workforce development reveals pathways for the next generation.

This episode features Cody Upp, Head of Commercial for Zebra Robotics Automation, and Brian Chereson, an industrial engineer at ODW Logistics. They discuss Zebra's innovative Symmetry Fulfillment solution, which enhances logistics through automation. Key insights include how AMRs improve productivity, reduce labor costs, and boost order accuracy. Cody elaborates on the benefits of detachable carts and wearables in optimizing workflows. They also share strategies for third-party logistics providers to adopt automation and scale effectively in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Danny Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Reservoir, an agtech incubator, dives into the cutting-edge innovations showcased at the FIRA 2025 Ag Robotics event. He shares his vision of supporting ag robotics startups with on-farm test acreage and resources. The conversation uncovers key flaws in the agtech R&D pipeline and highlights The Reservoir's unique location in Salinas. Bernstein emphasizes the importance of collaboration, offering insights on commercialization strategies, and the need for engineers to engage with rural communities to better understand agricultural challenges.

Dive into the highlights from the 2025 RoboBusiness event, featuring innovative startups and their cutting-edge technologies. Discover RowWorks AI's scan-to-simulation tool and Motogo's IoT parcel systems. Hear about 4D1's indoor GPS, Rotate8’s modular farming rover, and Morel’s fast-charge batteries. The excitement continues with Cerulian's middleware and R2 Labs' edge AI solutions. Plus, Waymo’s expansion plans to London add an intriguing twist to the future of mobility!

Ben Wolff, CEO of Paladine AI, shares insights on the transformative journey of the company, shifting from hardware to innovative software solutions in robotics. He discusses the groundbreaking Paladine IQ, featuring an intuitive interface that empowers non-experts to program robots. Additionally, Ben dives into their cutting-edge approach to autonomous drone swarming, enhancing collaboration while minimizing human oversight. He emphasizes the importance of hardware-agnostic, edge AI for security and efficiency, showcasing Paladine’s commitment to customer-centric product development.