The Robot Report Podcast

Join us as Ed Mehr, Co-founder of Machine Labs, explains how he’s building the "software-defined factory." We dive into how robotic-powered automation and strategic partnerships are enabling manufacturers to switch product lines instantly and future-proof hardware production.

Discover how Machine Labs is transforming manufacturing with flexible, robotic-powered factories that can switch products instantly. In this episode, Ed Mehr shares insights on software-defined factories, advanced automation, and strategic partnerships shaping the future of hardware production.
Learn more at: https://machinalabs.ai/

Show timeline
0:30 - Gene Demaitre recaps Autonomation World 2026
9:43 - News of the week
26:27 - Ed Mehr, co-founder and CEO of Machina Labs
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Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

On the show this week, our guest is Dinesh Narayanan, Head of Commercialization, General Robotics.
Dinesh shares insights into the founding of General Robotics, highlighting the transition from Microsoft and the development of their proprietary platform, Grid.
This platform aims to streamline the deployment and scaling of robotics solutions by integrating simulation, AI models, and deployment pipelines.
Dinesh emphasizes the importance of adaptability in AI techniques and the company's focus on providing rapid prototyping and deployment capabilities.
The conversation also touched on the potential of humanoid robots and the role of Grid in facilitating their development.
Dinesh concludes by discussing the company's business model and future aspirations, drawing parallels to the impact of platforms like AWS and Azure in the tech industry.
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Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

On the show this week, our guests are Andrew Singletary, CEO, and Amir Sharif, COO of 3Laws. They discuss the evolution of the 3Laws technology from academic research to practical applications, the challenges of startup leadership, and the importance of integrating safety into the design process.
The conversation highlights the innovative approaches 3Laws is taking to democratize autonomy and ensure safety in robotics, emphasizing the need for deterministic safety systems in an increasingly AI-driven world.
We also learn the differences between their products, Supervisor Pro and Supervisor for ROS, and how these solutions cater to different market needs.
The discussion highlights the significance of customization in safety solutions, the role of safety certification, and the potential for making robotics more accessible to smaller companies.
Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the ongoing evolution of robotics and the importance of safety innovations in this field.
To learn more about 3Laws: https://3laws.io/
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Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

On the show this week, Gavin Kenneally, CEO and co-founder of Ghost Robotics, discusses the journey of the company from its inception to becoming a leader in legged robotics.
He highlights the unique challenges and advantages of legged robots compared to wheeled counterparts, emphasizing their ability to navigate difficult terrains.
The discussion also covers the importance of customer feedback in product development, the ruggedization of robots for military applications, and the future of robotics, including the potential for two-armed robots.
Gavin shares insights on the impact of global events on robotics innovation and the company's commitment to keeping people out of harm's way.
Learn more about Ghost Robotics: https://www.ghostrobotics.io
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Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre recap their recent trip to attend the Manifest tradeshow in Las Vegas.
The show features vignettes from the show floor with executives from many of the industries most innovative warehouse and supply chain robotics companies.

Show timeline
8:12 - Zoox autonomous taxi trip recap
6:20 - News of the week
14:33 - Manifest Recap with Gene Demaitre and Mike Oitzman
34:08 - Interview with Sankalp Arora, CEO, Gather AI
41:58 - Interview with Ben Gruettner, Chief Revenue Officer, Robust.AI
49:28 - Interview with Owen Nicholson, CEO, Slamcore
54:21 - Interview with Mason Cole, VP Sales, Slip Robotics
1:00:55 - Interview with Steven McKinley (COO) and Jim Leifer (CEO) with Ambi Robotics
1:10:00 - Interview with Jackie Wu, CEO, from Corvus Robotics
1:16:40 - Interview with Kevin Damoa, founder and CEO Glid Technologies
1:22:37 - Interview with Eric Miller, cofounder and CEO of Autopallet
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– SPONSOR –
Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/