The Robot Report Podcast

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.

Rob Marshick, National Sales Manager for Enidine, shares insights on vibration control innovations that ensure robotic systems function at their best. He discusses how energy absorption and vibration isolation are crucial for extending equipment life and enhancing safety in manufacturing. The conversation also delves into tailored solutions for specific challenges faced in various sectors, highlighting the importance of collaboration between engineers and manufacturers. Marshick sheds light on the future of robotics as influenced by these technologies, making it a must-listen for industry enthusiasts!

Nick Thompson, CEO and co-founder of BOW, and Daniel Camilleri, CTO and founder of BOW, delve into the future of robotics. They discuss the industry's challenges, emphasizing the need for universal programming solutions. The BOW platform's innovative SDK aims to democratize robotics development, enhancing collaboration. They also explore partnerships that enrich technological advancements and how drones are revolutionizing emergency responses. Finally, the conversation touches on the integration of AI, making robotic programming more accessible and adaptive.

On the show this week, the entire editorial staff of The Robot Report discusses the 2025 winners of the RBR50 innovation awards. The editors talk about some of the standout solutions in this cohort of RBR50 winners, including Robot of the year: Waymo; Application of the year: TEPCO; Startup of the year: Mytra; Robots for good: Hello Robot. See the complete list on The Robot Report website: https://www.therobotreport.com/rbr50-2025/ ### This episode is sponsored by Enidine. Established in 1966, Enidine is a premier supplier of highly engineered products to extend equipment life, improve comfort, and increase safety and reliability throughout global industrial end markets. Enidine’s engineering team has designed custom energy absorption, vibration isolation, and noise attenuation solutions for a wide variety of challenging applications, including automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) and factory automation. Its wide array of innovative components has proven to be critical to our customers’ success. Learn more by going to https://www.enidine.com/en-us