PODCAST · technology
The Robot Report Podcast
by The Robot Report Podcast
Join Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.
Episodes
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Why Opportunity Charging Is Winning as Robot Fleets Scale
Ben Waters, CEO of Wibotic, joins Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre to discuss how wireless charging is evolving for larger, more autonomous robotics fleets. The conversation explores why opportunity charging—charging robots during natural idle moments—is becoming essential for maintaining uptime at...
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Why humanoid robot demos still fail the generalization test
Janine Sinanan-Singh, Director of Gen AI Research at Appen, joins Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre to discuss the data, evaluation, and human oversight needed to advance robotics and agentic AI. They explore how video and egocentric data can support robot training, why latency and generalization...
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Inside Omron’s Next-Generation LD Mobile Robots
The interview this week explores the European robotics market with OMRON’s Miguel Garces Moreno, covering growth in collaborative robots and AMRs, shifting demand toward sectors such as pharma, and the impact of labor shortages and supply-chain pressures. Miguel discusses how OMRON aims to stand...
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General Robotics Is Betting on Modular Intelligence, Not One Robot Brain
Sai Vemprala, CTO of General Robotics, talks about why robotics still faces a major gap between research and real-world deployment—and how the company’s Grid platform aims to close it. Their conversation explores robot-agnostic intelligence, simulation, reusable skills, deployment architecture,...
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The picks-and-shovels strategy behind the robotics boom
Teddy Haggerty is the founder and CEO of Robostore and Robo Inc., where he has helped push robotics into education, enterprise pilots, and early commercial deployments. His perspective is shaped by years of building in drones, crypto infrastructure, manufacturing, and import-export before turning...
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One brick at a time: How Monumental uses robotics to build walls
On the show this week, Salar al Khafaji, CEO and founder of Monumental explains how they are building walls with a custom trio of robots that automate the process of placing mortar and bricks. The company is innovating the construction market, selling “walls as a service”. In the interview, al...
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How FPGAs become the gatekeepers of Physical AI Security
Our guest this week is Eric Sivertson, VP of Security Business at Lattice. This episode explores why physical AI and humanoids change the security conversation from traditional IT risk to real-world safety risk. Sivertson explains how FPGAs can act as deterministic guardrails for robotic and...
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From Teach-and-Repeat to SelfPath AI: The next robotics leap
On the show today our guest is John Black, CTO of Brain Corp. John shares how Brain Corp has evolved from proving autonomous navigation in public spaces to operating at fleet scale across cleaning, scanning, retail analytics, and new manipulation use cases. He explains why the real challenge is…
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How software-defined manufacturing fits into real factory operation
Roby Lynn, founder and CEO of R2 Labs, shares how his team is bringing software-defined automation to industrial manufacturing. He explains how the R2 Autonomy Controller connects PLCs, robots, vision systems, MES/ERP software, and other factory assets into one configurable platform. The...
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How Protolabs turns CAD files into parts in under 24 hours
Design for manufacturing is changing faster than most robotics teams can keep up - and if you are building physical products, this conversation could save you months of rework. Marc Kermisch shares how Protolabs is using AI, simulation, and deep manufacturing expertise to turn CAD files into real...
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Building robots that survive the warehouse
This episode explores how Nomagic is applying AI and robotics to warehouse operations, with a focus on each picking, recovery workflows, and production-grade deployment. Josh Cloer, General Manager for North America, explains why the company leans into “physical AI,” how its systems are designed...
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FCC robot ruling shines a spotlight on U.S. policy; how next-gen AI can help warehousing
Our guest this week is Derik Pridmore, CEO and co-founder of OSARO. OSARO develops intelligent AI robotics for real-world warehouse automation, delivering scalable fulfillment solutions that optimize throughput, uptime, and overall performance. In this conversation, Pridmore breaks down how...
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Unlocking the Power of Time Series Databases for Industrial and Robotic Systems
In this episode, Doug Pagnutti, Developer Advocate at Tiger Data, discusses how time series databases like TimescaleDB are transforming industrial automation, robotics, and AI applications. He shares insights on integrating these databases with various sensors, managing data at scale, and...
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Transforming Solar Construction Through Robotics with Deise Yumi Asami
On the show this week, Deise Yumi Asami shares how her AI-enabled robotics startup, Maximo, is transforming solar panel installation and making solar panel installation faster, safer, and more efficient. In this conversation, you’ll hear how robotics, AI vision, and smart field deployment are...
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How Path Robotics uses AI to optimize robotic welding
Andy Lonsberry is redefining what welding robots can do, and in this conversation, he reveals how AI is pushing manufacturing beyond the limits of traditional automation. In this episode, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre sit down with Andy Lonsberry, CEO of Path Robotics, to explore how his team is...
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Automate 2026 Show Recap
In Episode 251 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman are joined by special guest Sarah Wynn, Senior Editor for Packaging OEM, to recap their firsthand experiences on the show floor at Automate in Chicago. The conversation traces the industry's shift away from early-stage...
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Insights Behind Kinisi’s Acquisition by Bear Robotics
Summary In this episode, we explore the strategic acquisition of Kinisi by Bear Robotics, with Kinisi founder and CEO Bren Pierce. During the conversation, we talk about how this acquisition signals a new era of integration, innovation, and scaling in humanoid robotics and automation. Bren...
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Deep Dive into Arm’s Physical AI and Robotics Strategies with Drew Henry
Explore the cutting-edge developments in Arm’s physical AI space as Drew Henry, EVP of Arm’s physical AI business unit, shares insights on technology innovation, market trends, and the future of robotics and autonomous systems. This episode provides a comprehensive look at how Arm is shaping the...
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AI in Warehousing: Akash Gupta's vision for the future
In this episode, our guest is Akash Gupta, CEO and co-founder of GreyOrange, a company known for its innovative approach in the warehousing robotics market. Akash discusses the strategic pivot from hardware to software, emphasizing the importance of focusing on fulfillment outcomes rather than…
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Why deterministic real-time systems are more critical than ever in robotics
Winston Leung explains that QNX is enhancing safety for physical AI-based robots through its innovative microkernel architecture, which is designed for safety-critical applications. QNX architecture provides a reliable and deterministic platform, crucial for real-time control and decision-making…
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2026 Robotics Summit Recap
Summary In this episode, the Robot Report editorial team reunites to recap the major highlights, central themes, and networking events from the recent Robotics Summit and Expo in Boston. Steve Crowe breaks down key presentations, including Brian Gerkey's insights on Open Robotics AI integration…
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Exploring PLC and Robot Integration with YRG Robotics Chris Elston
Discover the latest trends in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics, and their integration strategies directly from Yamaha's Chief Robotics Manager, Chris Elston. This episode offers insights into automation trends, AI's role in PLC development, and practical advice for engineers. Chris...
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Why the World’s Most Successful Robotics Founders Are Systems Thinkers
Ajay Agarwal, a partner at Bain Capital Ventures, discussed his journey and insights as a venture capitalist, particularly in the robotics and AI sectors. He highlights his early investment in Kiva Systems, emphasizing the importance of systems thinking and integrated solutions in successful...
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Why Traditional Robotics Data Collection Is Obsolete and What Replaces It
Summary In this episode, we sit down with Eric Chan, the chief scientist and co-founder of Rhoda AI, to discuss their groundbreaking work in robotics. Rhoda AI is pioneering the use of a Direct Video Action model, which leverages internet video data to train intelligent robots. This innovative...
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Inside Colin Angle’s bid to build companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic
In this episode, Colin Angle, founder of iRobot, introduces us to his latest venture: Familiar Machines and Magic. Angle has assembled a world-class team of engineers and advisors on a mission to produce an empathetic, four-legged robotic companion. The company recently emerged from stealth, and...
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The Art of Crossing the Chasm: When Is a Startup Ready for Enterprise Adoption?
In this episode, Neal Hansch, CEO of Silicon Foundry, shares his expertise on how startups can navigate enterprise engagement, the evolving landscape of physical AI and robotics, and the impact of macroeconomic shifts on innovation strategy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate innovation...
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From Sci-Fi to Reality: Physical AI's Future with Dr. Jan Liphardt
Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Dr. Jan Liphardt, Stanford bioengineering professor, founder of Open Mind and OM1, and a leading voice on the intersection of robotics, AI, and human-centric design. Discover how modular AI architectures, transparency, and real-world...
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MODEX 2026 Recap
Editors Gene Demaitre from The Robot Report and Sarah Wynn from Packaging OEM spent the week walking the aisles of MODEX 2026. In this episode, we learn about all of the interesting new products and automation solutions for packaging and warehouse logistics that they discovered this week at the...
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Transforming Asset Management with Physical AI
Our guest this week is Christian Pedersen, Chief Product Officer at IFS In this conversation, Christian Pedersen, Chief Innovation Officer at IFS, discusses the company's focus on asset management and its evolution in the tech space. He highlights IFS's legacy in building asset maintenance…
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The future of RealSense 3D vision with Chris Matthieu
Our guest this week is Chris Matthieu, VP of Developer Ecosystem for RealSense. The conversation with Matthieu primarily focuses on the future of RealSense products, the current state of the robotics market, and how Real Sense works with end users to iterate and evolve its product roadmap.…
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Arthur Erickson on how Hylio drones are revolutionizing agriculture
Our guest this week is Arthur Erickson, CEO of Hylio, as he discusses the evolution and strategic direction of Hylio, an American drone company. Erickson shares the company's journey from its inception at UT Austin, where it initially aimed to create a general-purpose industrial drone, to its...
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Building Tomorrow: How Bedrock Robotics is Changing the Construction Industry
Our guest this week is Boris Sofman, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics, who covers a wide range of topics related to the automation of heavy machinery. Boris discussed Bedrock's mission to develop autonomy technologies for construction equipment like excavators and bulldozers, aiming to make...
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Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs
Join us as Ed Mehr, Co-founder of Machine Labs, explains how he’s building the "software-defined factory." We dive into how robotic-powered automation and strategic partnerships are enabling manufacturers to switch product lines instantly and future-proof hardware production. Discover how Machine...
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Plug-and-Play AI: Transforming Robotics with Modular Skills
On the show this week, our guest is Dinesh Narayanan, Head of Commercialization, General Robotics. Dinesh shares insights into the founding of General Robotics, highlighting the transition from Microsoft and the development of their proprietary platform, Grid. This platform aims to streamline the...
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AI's Role in the Future of Robotics: Insights from 3Laws
On the show this week, our guests are Andrew Singletary, CEO, and Amir Sharif, COO of 3Laws. They discuss the evolution of the 3Laws technology from academic research to practical applications, the challenges of startup leadership, and the importance of integrating safety into the design process....
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Ghost Robotics: Innovating for Safety
On the show this week, Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co-founder of Ghost Robotics, discusses the journey of the company from its inception to becoming a leader in legged robotics. He highlights the unique challenges and advantages of legged robots compared to wheeled counterparts, emphasizing their...
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Manifest 2026 Recap
Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre recap their recent trip to attend the Manifest tradeshow in Las Vegas. The show features vignettes from the show floor with executives from many of the industries most innovative warehouse and supply chain robotics companies. Show timeline 8:12 - Zoox autonomous…
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Robot development from Actuators to AI
Our guests this week are Mario Mauerer, from Maxon and David Koelle, Charles River Analytics. In this interview from the Humanoid Summit in Silicon Valley, Mike Oitzman speaks with Maxon’s Mario Muerer about how humanoids and mobile manipulation are shaping the company’s actuator strategy, from...
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Road to Rail: Slashing Costs and Carbon with Automation
Our guest this week is Kevin Damoa, founder and CEO of Glīd Technologies. Damoa discusses Glīd, the world's first autonomous road-to-rail solution, which addresses the problem of ensuring accessibility to both road and rail corridors. Glīd autonomous vehicles pick up fully loaded semi-trailers…
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Thomas Pilz on Innovation and Safety in Robotics
On the show this week, our guest is Thomas Pilz, Managing Partner of Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, who dives into the company's evolution from a glass-blowing business to a leader in robotic safety. Thomas emphasizes the importance of adaptability and innovation, highlighting the company's commitment to...
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Spencer Krause: Why Hardware is the New Engineering Frontier
Our guest on the show this week is Spencer Krause, CEO and co-founder of SKA Robotics. A longtime friend of the show, Krause shares insights into the development process for new robotics solutions, and a deep dive into ruggedized field robotics. From automating giant mining trucks to launching...
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CES 2026 robotics recap; 2026 predictions
This week cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman recap the robots of CES 2026, and review the news of the week. Guest appearances by Chris Matthieu, VP, Developer Ecosystem at RealSense and Ahti Heinla , co-founder, CEO, Starship to talk about their predictions for 2026.
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Robotics in Review: Editors look back at 2025
Join host Steve Crowe and The Robot Report editorial team (Gene Demaitre, Mike Oitzman, and Brianna Wessling) for the annual end-of-year wrap-up. The team breaks down the most significant stories, trends, and market shifts that defined the robotics industry in 2025 and looks ahead to 2026. Key...
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From Combat to Space: Mike LeBlanc on Humanoid Robotics
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…
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Inside Glacier's Mission to Modernize Recycling
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...
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Kristian Kassow: A Pioneer in the Cobot Industry
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…
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Micropolis and the Future of Robotics in Dubai
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…
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Designing Space Robots
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...
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The Power of STEM: Shaping the Next Generation
Join us as we explore the critical role of STEM education in reshoring manufacturing and empowering the next generation of engineers. Featuring insights from Dhaval Jadav, CEO of Alliant Group, and Dr. Robert Ambrose, Professor at Texas A&M, and Director of Robotics at Alliant Group, this episode...
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How ODW Logistics is Innovating with Automation
This week on the show, we welcome Brian Chereson, an industrial engineer from ODW Logistics, and Cody Upp, head of commercial for Zebra Robotics Automation. Together, they dive into the transformative role of robotics and automation in logistics. The conversation explores the deployment of…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.
HOSTED BY
The Robot Report Podcast
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