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 how lightweight cobots are being deployed in research hubs like the AMRC, MTC, National Robotarium, and Bristol Robotics Lab to boost flexibility and productivity. He explains the technical advances that enable safe human‑robot interaction and offers practical examples of how companies are integrating cobots into existing workflows. The conversation underscores the growing accessibility of robotics for small‑to‑medium enterprises and the broader manufacturing ecosystem.
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,...
75: A Woken Record
In this episode, hosts Kathy Campbell and Alex Cox examine the rollout of autonomous delivery robots in Chicago, exploring both the technological promise and the community backlash over sidewalk safety and accessibility. They discuss real‑world case studies—from a day in...