In this episode of Podcast 171, hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman scrutinize XPeng’s latest video, showcasing the Iron robotic arm in action at the company’s automation manufacturing facility.
Featured interview with Swiss-Mile
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This week’s featured interview spotlights a conversation between Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre as they sit down with Marko Bjelonic, co-founder and CEO of a company that is making waves in the robotics space, specifically with its innovative quadruped robot that combines wheels and legs for unparalleled mobility. As researchers uncover the transformative journey of robotics, they delve into the pivotal shift from academic exploration to commercial application, highlighting the technological hurdles overcome and the innovative features that differentiate this cutting-edge technology.
The dialogue explores various applications in safety and logistics, underscores the importance of autonomy in robotics, and outlines the long-term trajectory of Swiss-Mile as a technology-driven entity.
Present timeline
- What if we could make robots that looked and acted like humans?
- 9:27 – Information
- Marko Bjelonic?
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Information of the week
The 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards are now accepting nominations.
Are you ready to submit your most innovative and groundbreaking projects for the 2025 RBR50 innovation awards? The prestigious annual awards will recognize excellence in robotics and automation by acknowledging outstanding achievements and innovations in calendar year 2024. The competition is open to any global organization that specializes in developing cutting-edge robotic solutions, providing a platform for industry leaders to showcase their expertise and enterprise improvements.
The classes embrace:
- Applied sciences, merchandise, and providers: This class focuses on primary or utilized analysis expertise in robotics, encompassing key areas such as movement control, vision systems, and machine learning to support the development of innovative robotic solutions. This innovative endeavour further encompasses novel products and business, engineering, or technological solutions.
- Enterprise and administration: In this course, students explore strategies for propelling organizations to industry leadership and intellectual thought leaders in the dynamic realm of robotics. Strategic partnerships in mergers and acquisitions are intertwined with provider, associate, and integrator relationships.
- Purposes and markets: The RBR50 can commendably recognize advancements that amplify productivity, excellence, and value-addition, as well as innovators behind novel task automation.
As well as the 2025 RBR Radio BoF’s annual RBR50 Awards are set to recognize.
- Startup of the Yr
- Utility of the Yr
- Robotic of the Yr
- Robots for Good Award
The deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.
iRobot, creator of the popular Roomba robotic vacuum, has eliminated another 105 employees as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts. As of September, approximately 16 percent of iRobot’s global workforce was affected by the recent layoffs, which comprised a diverse range of staff members. 28. Since January 1, 2024, iRobot has undergone significant restructuring, resulting in a substantial reduction of approximately 50% to its global workforce.
iRobot, responsible for delivering over 50 million robots globally, faces multiple challenges. The failed acquisition from Amazon, announced earlier in 2024, is one of several key factors contributing to this issue. Amazon’s proposed acquisition of iRobot, valued at $1.7 billion, was abruptly called off after regulators cited concerns that the deal would stifle competition. Amazon reportedly paid iRobot a staggering $94 million to back out of their agreement.
Bodily Intelligence has secured $400 million in funding to accelerate the development and deployment of AI-powered robotics across various industries. The corporation acknowledges that foundational AI models capable of guiding robots in executing various tasks are still in their early stages.
Bodily Intelligence secured $70 million in seed funding last year, announcing the milestone. The Robotic Report That its valuation has skyrocketed to a whopping $2.4 billion? Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos, also a government chairman, spearheaded his company’s latest fundraising round, joined by investors Thrive Capital and Lux Capital.
Pipedream’s robotic technology enables the efficient transportation of prepared meals from quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to customers within office buildings and other commercial settings via a network of pipes. The pipe-like conveyor system, approximately two to several feet in diameter, features a monitoring component, enabling automated shuttles to efficiently transport totes from restaurants to various pickup locations. The subterranean infrastructure is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The corporation envisions installing this infrastructure in an urban setting, streamlining supply chains between quick-service restaurants (QSR) locations and various corporate campuses. Robust financial support has driven rapid growth.
Podcast sponsored by RGO Robotics
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