336. Coming Soon: The Humanoid Revolution
In this episode, Grayson Brulte talks with David Kerr, President of Humanoid Robotics at Schaeffler, about the company’s rapid entry into the humanoid robot market and its strategy for scaling these machines in manufacturing. Kerr explains how Schaeffler’s deep supply‑chain expertise and experience with industrial robots and cobots give it a unique advantage in developing lightweight, reliable actuators and AI‑driven control systems. The discussion highlights the company’s ambitious goals—aiming for thousands of deployments weekly—and the six core use cases (line feeding, tending, logistics, assembly, packaging, inspection) that drive humanoid design across its global plants. Kerr also explores broader implications, such as addressing workforce shortages due to aging populations and the potential for humanoids in homes and senior care.
Building a Vertically Integrated Drone Ecosystem: Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin, Zenatech
In this episode, Linda Montgomery and Phil Franklin of Zenotech explain how the company has built a vertically integrated drone ecosystem that spans design, manufacturing, software, and drone‑as‑a‑service operations across multiple continents. They detail their three core drone platforms—Xenodrome 1000...
Episode 159: Robot Sensing and Manipulation - Maria Koskinopoulou
In this episode, assistant professor Maria Koskinopoulou discusses her lab’s work at Heriot‑Watt University on integrating perception and manipulation for autonomous robotic systems. She explains how their research combines computer vision, force sensing, and machine learning to enable dexterous grasping,...
Ghost Circuits: Machines That Think Without Code
In this episode, researchers explore "ghost circuits" – distributed mechanical systems that exhibit intelligent behavior without traditional computation or code. They discuss examples ranging from dead trout that swim upstream in turbulent flow, to soft‑hard hybrid robotic fingers that use...
Warehouse Fulfillment Automation Built for Throughput
In this episode, Kevin Lawton tours Ocado Intelligent Automation’s booth at Modex 2026 and talks with David Sheffrin about the company’s high‑density, tote‑based Storage and Retrieval System (OSRS) that uses lightweight, 3‑D‑printed robots and robotic arms to achieve about 5 million...
Bonus Episode: Empowering Robotics with 6G (ERF 2026)
In this bonus episode from the European Robotics Forum, a panel of academics and industry leaders discussed how 6G connectivity will empower multipurpose robotics. They highlighted technical gaps such as inefficient multicast, the need for seamless, secure, and AI‑assisted deployment,...
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...
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...