How China Made Itself Tariff-Proof
In this episode, Keith Bradshirp explains how China has become virtually tariff‑proof by rapidly expanding its advanced, robot‑driven manufacturing capacity. The discussion highlights four key factors: diversification of export markets, indirect shipments through third‑party countries, a deliberately weakened yuan, and, most critically, a massive leap in automation that makes even high‑tech goods cheaper to produce in China. Bradshirp describes "dark factories" with thousands of robots and AI‑based quality control, and traces the policy roots of this shift to the Made in China 2025 plan and the country's demographic challenges that forced a push toward automation.
How the CPUC Handles AV Permits, Data, and Enforcement (Pat Tsen)
In this episode, Pat Tsen, Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), explains how the CPUC regulates autonomous vehicle (AV) passenger services, detailing the permit process, data collection requirements, and enforcement...
PMRA Proposal Could Fast-Track Drone Spraying for Canadian Farms
The episode discusses Health Canada's PMRA proposal to allow drones to apply pesticides under existing aerial labels, a change that could streamline drone spraying on Canadian farms. Guest Marcus Weber, co‑founder of the Canadian Agricultural Drone Association and operator of...
Building Tomorrow: How Bedrock Robotics Is Changing the Construction Industry
In episode 236 of the Robot Report, host Mike Waitzman and associate editor Brianna Westling recap the massive NVIDIA GTC 2026 event, highlighting the surge of "physical AI" and practical robot demos—from humanoid greeters like IntBot to tactile five‑fingered hands...
Bonus Episode: The Future of Home Assistant Robots
In this bonus episode, a panel of four academic experts discusses the emerging role of home assistant robots, covering applications from daily chores and rehabilitation to companionship. They highlight research on user‑centered design, such as the Robot House testbed, robots...
Profitable Practices: Robotics and Automation Help Greenview Holsteins Tackle Labour Challenges
In this episode of Profitable Practices, fourth‑generation dairy farmer Steve Youngbluff of Greenview Holsteins explains how his family farm uses Lely milking robots, a Vector feeding robot, and other automation to overcome labor shortages and boost profitability. The robots provide...
The Buyer's Journey for Warehouse Automation
The episode explores the warehouse automation buying journey from three angles: iAutomate’s CEO Christoph Buchmann explains how the process truly begins with identifying a problem and validating automation as the right solution; Staples Canada’s Mert Selchuk describes a data‑driven, internal...
Warehouse Automation Success Depends on Operational Alignment
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Adrian Stuck, CEO of High Robotics, and later Colin McAleenan, VP of Business Development, about the company’s mobile ASRS solutions, especially the HyperClimb robot that combines horizontal and vertical movement. They stress that successful...
The Future Of Warehouse Inventory Is Flying | Fast Five Shorts
The episode discusses Kroger's deployment of Corvus Robotics' autonomous inventory drones, called Corvus 1, in sub‑freezing warehouse environments to perform cycle counts without human intervention. Hosts Chris and Jen highlight how the drones operate without Wi‑Fi, markers, or infrastructure changes,...
Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs
In this episode, host Mike Oitzman and editorial director Gene Dimitri discuss highlights from Automation World 2026 in Seoul, noting Korea's massive robot density, the mix of domestic and international exhibitors, and the strategic importance of government support. The conversation...
Chef Vs. Robot
In this episode, Planet Money explores the rise of robot chefs, pitting an automated wok robot named Robbie against a seasoned human chef, Chef Fong, in a taste‑test showdown. The segment showcases the robot’s speed and consistency while highlighting the...
Open Source for Awkward Robots
In this episode, host Ryan Donovan chats with Jan Lipart, CEO and co‑founder of OpenMind, about their open‑source robotics platform OM1 that lets humanoid robots communicate internally via natural language and be governed by immutable, blockchain‑stored rules like Asimov's laws....
What It Takes to Clear a Million Crimes a Year with Flock Safety's CEO
In this episode, Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety, explains how his company transformed neighborhood security by deploying license‑plate‑reading cameras, AI‑driven analytics, and drones that integrate with 911 calls to create a real‑time crime‑clearance operating system. He recounts the origin...
78: Tupperware on Wheels
In this episode of Roboism, hosts Alex Cox and Kathy Campbell riff on the unsettling sight of delivery robots—dubbed “Tupperware on Wheels”—parked like sentinels, using the image to spring into a broader conversation about AI, large language models, and the...
Episode 147: Miniature Living Robots - Maria Guix
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Maria Guix, a senior researcher at the University of Barcelona, about bio‑hybrid robotics that combine living cells—such as muscle tissue or sperm—with synthetic scaffolds to create miniature robots. Guix explains how these...
Where Is Warehouse Technology Heading with Gary Allen of Ryder
In this episode, Kevin Lawton chats with Gary Allen of Ryder about the rapid evolution of warehouse technology, focusing on automation and AI. Allen explains how automation—from autonomous mobile robots to autonomous forklifts and emerging humanoids—is becoming more affordable and...
Uncrewed Systems in the Arctic: Security, Surveillance, and NATO's Growing Role - Federico Borsari, CEPA
In this episode, Federico Borsari of the Center for European Policy Analysis explains how uncrewed systems are becoming essential for security, surveillance, and infrastructure protection in the Arctic. He outlines the shifting NATO threat picture—driven by Russia’s expanding presence, NATO’s...
ISS Demonstration: A Tow Truck for Space.
In this episode of T‑Minus, host Maria Varmazas interviews Troy Morris, CEO and co‑founder of KMI, about the company’s successful in‑space demonstration of its articulated “tow‑truck” arms aboard the ISS. The demo involved over 200 days of testing, capturing unprepared...
AI's Role in the Future of Robotics: Insights From 3Laws
In episode 233 of The Robot Report, hosts Steve Crow and Mike Oitzman discuss the explosive growth of AI funding, highlighted by OpenAI’s $110 billion raise, and its implications for robotics. They interview Andrew Singletary and Amir Sharif of Three Laws...
Episode 146: Embodied AI on the ISS - Jamie Palmer
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Jamie Palmer, co‑founder and CTO of Icarus Robotics, about developing free‑flying, dexterous robots to assist astronauts on the ISS and future commercial stations. Palmer explains how the robots—essentially microgravity drones with manipulators—are being...
Warehouse Continuous Improvement at Atomix: Culture and Data
In this episode, VP of Operations Drake Meyer discusses Atomics' rapid growth, its unique high‑touch 3PL model, and the development of its proprietary WMS. He shares how his hands‑on warehouse background informs his leadership style, emphasizing a continuous‑improvement mindset rooted...
Hype Vs. Deployment: Derek Yan on Humanoid Robotics, KOID ETF, and the Global AI Arms Race
In this episode, Derek Yan, Senior Investment Strategist at KraneShares, explains why humanoid robotics is moving from hype to real-world deployment, highlighting current enterprise pilots in factories and logistics that address chronic labor shortages. He stresses that investors should focus...
Ghost Robotics: Innovating for Safety
In this episode, Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co‑founder of Ghost Robotics, walks listeners through the company’s evolution from a startup to a leader in legged robotics, highlighting how four‑legged platforms outperform wheeled robots on rough terrain. He explains the critical...
Episode 145: Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing - Agata Suwala
In this episode, Claire interviews Agata Suwala, Technology Manager at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, about how robotics and automation are being used to make manufacturing—especially in aerospace—more sustainable and scalable. Agata explains the latest advances in robotic dexterity, the role...
Protecting Stadiums in the Age of Drone Incursions: Melissa Swisher, CRO at SkySafe
In this episode, Melissa Swisher, CRO of SkySafe, explains how airspace intelligence is evolving to protect large venues like stadiums from unauthorized drones. She highlights the biggest gaps in current drone defense—lack of real‑time detection, attribution, and actionable analytics—and how...
Yard Automation and the Future of the Yard
In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, host Kevin interviews Darin Brannan, CEO of Terminal Industries, about the emerging importance of yard automation in modern supply chains. Brannan explains how yards have traditionally lagged behind warehouses in technology adoption...
A Million-Satellite Constellation, and Tough Sledding for Space Tourism
The episode explores SpaceX’s ambitious filing to launch up to one million satellites as an orbital data center, positioning the company toward a Kardashev Type II vision and highlighting regulatory waivers and the link to Elon Musk’s AI venture. It then...
Manifest 2026 Recap
Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre recap their experience at the Manifest 2026 tradeshow, highlighting cutting‑edge developments in warehouse and supply‑chain robotics. The episode features rapid‑fire news, a Zoox autonomous‑taxi demo, and in‑depth interviews with CEOs and executives from Gather AI,...
Women in Science, Robotics, Automation, SLAS, and Lilly Updates
The episode opens with a celebration of Women in Science Day, highlighting the historic origin of the term “scientist” and the push for greater female leadership in biotech. Medra CEO Michelle Lee discusses how the company is merging robotics with...
Human-Centered Warehouse Automation at EssilorLuxottica
In this episode, Kevin Lawton interviews Naveen Chandra, Director of Distribution at EssilorLuxottica, about the company’s human‑centered approach to warehouse automation across its vast, high‑SKU network. Chandra explains how they balance advanced forecasting, slotting, and real‑time operational control with a...
Episode 143: Robots for Children - Elmira Yadollahi
In this episode, Claire talks with Elmira Yadollahi, an assistant professor at Lancaster University, about how children engage with robots and the unique challenges this presents. They explore key themes such as managing children’s expectations, building trust, and fostering AI...
Making Autonomous Cargo Work at Real-World Scale: Charles Acknin, CEO Skyways
In this episode, Charles Acknin, CEO of Skyways, discusses how his company is moving autonomous cargo drones from prototype to operational scale, highlighting real‑world missions that deliver substantial payloads for military and commercial clients. He explains the technical and regulatory...
#490 – State of AI in 2026: LLMs, Coding, Scaling Laws, China, Agents, GPUs, AGI
In this episode Nathan Lambert and Sebastian Raschka dissect the 2026 AI landscape, covering the geopolitical AI race between China and the US, the competitive standings of major LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, and the evolving role of...
Road to Rail: Slashing Costs and Carbon with Automation
In the "Road to Rail: Slashing Costs and Carbon with Automation" episode, hosts explore how automation technologies are transforming rail infrastructure projects by reducing both financial expenditures and carbon emissions. They discuss specific innovations such as autonomous track inspection drones,...
Episode 142: Collaborative Robot Arms - Mark Gray
In this episode, Claire interviews Mark Gray, the UK country manager for Universal Robots, about the rise of collaborative robot arms, or cobots, that can safely work side‑by‑side with humans. Mark shares insights from his three decades in automation, highlighting...
Testing Robotics in Space
The future of in-space robotics relies on testing operations in space.
Meta's CTO on VR Layoffs, Glasses, and the Next AI Model
In this interview, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth discusses the recent VR layoffs, the accelerated production of Meta glasses, and the company's broader AI ambitions, including AI wearables and humanoid robots. He explains that slower-than-expected VR adoption is shifting focus to...
Waabi Raises $1B From Uber and VCs
The episode examines Waabi, an autonomous trucking startup that just raised a $1 billion funding round, including a $250 million investment from Uber. It highlights Waabi's AI‑first strategy, which relies on advanced simulation to enable rapid learning and generalization across vehicle platforms...
Interview: Demis Hassabis @ Sources Live, Davos
In this live Davos interview, DeepMind CEO Demir Hassabis outlines upcoming developments for Gemini 4, including its integration with Apple’s Siri, and discusses the broader roadmap toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). He highlights gaps that still need to be solved for...
Home Robots Are Coming Faster than You Think, with Sunday's Tony Zhao
In this episode Alex and Ellis dissect the hype surrounding robotics and the practical challenges of building useful home robots, before interviewing Tony Zhao, founder of Sunday Robotics. Zhao explains how their robot Memo is trained using real-world data collected...
Spencer Krause: Why Hardware Is the New Engineering Frontier
In this episode, host Spencer Krause argues that hardware development has become the next frontier for engineering, emphasizing the shift from software‑centric innovation to tangible, physical products. He discusses how advances in AI, sensor technology, and manufacturing are driving new...
Episode 140: Robot Balance and Agility - Amir Patel
In this episode, Claire interviews Associate Professor Amir Patel about his work replicating the cheetah's speed and agility in robotic systems. Patel explains how sensor fusion, computer vision, mechanical modeling, and optimal control are combined to study high‑speed animal locomotion...
Building an Autonomous Car Utopia with Rivian's RJ Scaringe
Alex and Ellis open with a discussion on Meta's metaverse layoffs and the potential shift to Claude Cowork over ChatGPT, then sit down with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe to explore the future of autonomous vehicles. Scaringe explains how large driving models...
AI and the Future of Warfare with US Under Secretary of War Emil Michael
In this episode, Under Secretary of War Emil Michael explains how the Department of War is deploying a generative AI platform, GenAI.mil, to over a million users within its first month, leveraging models like Gemini and Grok to boost decision‑making...
CES 2026 Robotics Recap; 2026 Predictions
The episode recaps the most notable robotics announcements from CES 2026, highlighting breakthroughs in AI-driven mobility, advanced sensor suites, and collaborative robot platforms. It offers forward‑looking predictions for 2026, including wider adoption of edge AI chips, tighter regulatory scrutiny on...
Episode 139: Advanced Robot Hearing - Christine Evers
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Associate Professor Christine Evers about how robots can interpret their environment using sound, focusing on bio‑inspired machine listening that mirrors human auditory processing. Evers explains her work on integrating auditory neuroscience insights into...
Securing the Skies: Detecting and Responding to Drone Threats - Logan Harris, CEO Spotter Global
In this episode, Logan Harris discusses the escalating threat posed by drones and how Spotter Global’s compact radar and Remote ID solutions are being deployed to safeguard critical infrastructure and large public events. He explains the evolution from military‑focused surveillance...
Robotics in Review: Editors Look Back at 2025
In this year‑end episode, host Steve Crowe and the Robot Report editors dissect 2025’s pivotal robotics developments, from iRobot’s Chapter 11 filing and ABB’s mobile‑robot sale to SoftBank, to a surge of over $3.5 billion poured into humanoid ventures and the rise...
Episode 138: Robots in the Environment - Stefano Mintchev
In this episode, Claire interviews Stefano Mintchev, an assistant professor at ETH Zürich, about his work developing bio‑inspired robots for environmental monitoring and sustainable resource management. They discuss how these robots can navigate challenging natural terrains, collect high‑resolution data, and...
Episode 137: Getting Two-Legged Robots Moving - Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi
In this episode, Dr. Claire Asher interviews Assistant Professor Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi about her pioneering work in bipedal robotics, covering how two‑legged robots achieve stable walking and stair‑climbing through advanced control algorithms. Oluwami explains the development of the Biped Bootcamp curriculum,...
