Episode 158: Autonomous Robot Deliveries - Ahti Heinla
In Episode 158, host Claire Asher talks with Ahti Heinla, co‑founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, about the company’s fleet of autonomous delivery robots that have completed over 10 million deliveries across Europe and the United States. Heinla explains how the compact, neutral‑looking robots navigate messy public sidewalks, handle road crossings, and operate without constant human supervision thanks to layered safety systems and machine‑learning‑driven perception. He highlights key milestones—from early prototype and pilot phases in Milton Keynes to scaling up to thousands of robots in dozens of cities, now handling tens of thousands of deliveries daily and capturing about 10 % of Finland’s last‑mile market. The discussion also touches on public acceptance, design choices, and the operational challenges of scaling autonomous logistics worldwide.
Episode 157: Generating New Robot Designs - Josie Hughes
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Josie Hughes, an assistant professor at EPFL and leader of the CREATE Lab, about using AI to generate novel robot hand and manipulator designs. Hughes explains how her team combines large language...
Smart Materials and the Rise of Ornithopters: Dr. Onur Bilgen, Rutgers University
In this episode, Dr. Onur Bilgen of Rutgers University discusses his decade‑long research into using smart, piezoelectric materials to simplify and improve small unmanned aircraft, especially bio‑inspired flapping‑wing drones called ornithopters. He explains how these materials can act as both...
Why Traditional Robotics Data Collection Is Obsolete and What Replaces It
In this episode, Steve Crow and Mike Oitzman discuss how traditional robotics data collection methods are becoming outdated, highlighting the rise of AI-driven approaches like direct video action models that predict robot motions from internet video data. They preview upcoming...
The Cyborgs Commeth - EP 69 Connor Glass
In this episode, host Ashley Vance talks with Connor Glass, co‑founder and CEO of Phantom Neuro, about the company’s sub‑dermal neural interface that lets amputees control prosthetic limbs using muscle‑derived electrical signals—offering a less invasive alternative to brain‑computer interfaces like...
Episode 154: Visual Navigation in Insects and Robots - Andrew Philippides
In this episode, Professor Andrew Philippides explains how studying the visual learning behaviors of ants and bees—such as learning walks and flights—can inspire efficient navigation algorithms for robots. He outlines a research pipeline that moves from field observations and panoramic...
Forklift Automation: An Ideal Starting Point for Warehouses
In this episode, Kevin Lawton tours the Yale Lift Truck Technologies booth at MODX 2026, showcasing several innovations aimed at modernizing warehouse operations. He highlights the Yale Route Runner, a nested lift‑truck system that streamlines deliveries to stores by reducing...
Grocery Automation Is Back on Retailers’ Radar with Ocado CEO Tim Steiner | WRC 2026
In this WRC 2026 interview, Ocado CEO Tim Steiner explains how grocery fulfillment is diverging worldwide, with the UK dominated by scheduled delivery, France by pickup, and the US split between the two. He argues that large‑scale, centralized automation works...
Locus Array: The Next Leap in Warehouse Fulfillment Automation
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Kate Peterson of Locust Robotics about the Locus Array, a 10‑foot, fully autonomous fulfillment robot that handles picking, packing, put‑away, inventory counting, and re‑slotting without human intervention. The robot uses AI‑driven cameras, an omnidirectional...
Meet Dot: DoorDash’s Accelerated Autonomous Local Commerce Solution (Curbivore 2026)
In this Curbivore 2026 fireside chat, DoorDash’s Harrison, head of DoorDash Labs, unveils DOT – an autonomous, four‑wheel delivery vehicle designed like an e‑bike that can travel up to 20 mph, fit through standard doors, and operate on bike lanes, roads,...
From Sci-Fi to Reality: Physical AI's Future with Dr. Jan Liphardt
In this episode, host Mike Waitzman and co‑host Brianna Wessling discuss recent industry news—including Tesla’s ambitious plan to produce up to 10 million Optimus humanoid robots annually and a German court’s patent injunction affecting robotics exhibitors—before interviewing Dr. Jan Lippert, a...
Episode 153: Origami-Inspired Robots - Chenying Liu
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Oxford junior research fellow Chen Ying Liu about embedding intelligence directly into robot bodies using geometry, origami-inspired structures, and unconventional materials. Liu explains how mechanical bifurcation lets a two‑motor gripper achieve eight grasping...
Inside the Future of Drones: Policy, Security, and What XPONENTIAL 2026 Reveals – with Michael Robbins, AUVSI
In this episode of the Drone Radio Show, host Randy Goers talks with Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI, about the rapid evolution of the drone industry toward secure, scalable operations. Robbins highlights the shift from experimental prototypes to...
MODEX 2026 Recap
In this episode of the Robot Report, hosts Mike Oitzman, Gene Dimitri, and guest Sarah Wynn recap MODEX 2026, highlighting its record attendance of 50,000 visitors, over a thousand exhibitors, and the growing prominence of robotics across supply‑chain, warehousing, and...
U.S. Progress on Drone Spraying Offers a Roadmap for Canada
In this episode, Amber Bell interviews Dr. Steve Lee of Auburn University about recent U.S. research on drone pesticide application. Key findings include that flying drones just five feet higher and using 200‑micron droplets instead of 300‑micron can cut downwind...