# Why “Spot” the Mobile Robot is Made for Manufacturing with Boston Dynamics’ Michael Perry

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2021-07-13
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Michael Perry, VP of Business Development at Boston Dynamics, explains how the Spot mobile robot is used in manufacturing for safety inspections and facility optimization. He details a Ford case study where Spot reduced laser scanning time from two weeks to two days and cost from $300,000 to approximately $150,000–$200,000, enabling frequent data collection. Perry also discusses the company's global expansion strategy, the importance of product quality in partnerships, and the future of mobile manipulation.

## Chapters

- [0:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=40) Introduction and Guest Background
- [8:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=482) Michael Perry's Career from PR to Drones
- [16:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=1018) Spot's Design and Target Markets
- [23:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=1397) Ford Case Study: Laser Scanning and Optimization
- [25:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=1538) Increasing Uptime via Safety and Data
- [29:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-13-why-spot-the-mobile-robot-is-made-for-manufacturing-with-boston-dynamics-michael#t=1784) Future of Mobile Manipulation

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Spot (product)
- Ford (company)
- DJI (company)
- Apple (company)
- Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Boston Dynamics talks Spot launch; Universal Robots on cobot innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-06-17-boston-dynamics-talks-spot-launch-universal-robots-on-cobot-innovation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Veo on manufacturing challenges; tele-operating Spot; Amazon goes to the mall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-08-12-veo-on-manufacturing-challenges-tele-operating-spot-amazon-goes-to-the-mall) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Boston Dynamics talks about its big year, Hyundai acquisition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-12-16-boston-dynamics-talks-about-its-big-year-hyundai-acquisition) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [The Road Ahead for Robotics: Insights from Motional's Major and Foundation's Pathak](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-06-20-the-road-ahead-for-robotics-insights-from-motionals-major-and-foundations-pathak) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Sarcos’ Ben Wolff, Uber ATG low on fuel, ROS on Spot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-09-22-sarcos-ben-wolff-uber-atg-low-on-fuel-ros-on-spot) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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