# 181: Leadership and Ethics in the Adoption of Robotics with Ryan Gariepy, CTO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2024-04-16
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Ryan Gariepy, CTO of Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors (both acquired by Rockwell Automation), discusses the evolution of his companies from garage startups to enterprise solutions. He explains how observing the stark contrast between legacy industrial automation and Kiva Systems' technology revealed the future of robotics, leading to the creation of Clearpath for R&D platforms and OTTO for material handling. Gariepy emphasizes that successful robotics adoption requires balancing hype with signal, focusing on specific high-value applications, and prioritizing human safety and ethical deployment in both manufacturing and broader societal contexts.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [5:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=311) Inspiration from Science Fiction and Early Career
- [7:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=448) Founding Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors
- [10:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=650) Identifying Trends: Kiva vs. Legacy Automation
- [18:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=1129) Lessons for Manufacturing Leaders on Innovation and Hype
- [23:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=1428) Robotics Adoption in Small vs. Large Enterprises
- [33:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=2005) Ethics, Safety, and Societal Impact of Robotics
- [40:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c#t=2425) Robotics and Economic Development in Canada

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Clearpath Robotics (company)
- OTTO Motors (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Kiva Systems (company)
- Amazon Robotics (company)
- Canadian Robotics Council (company)
- R2-D2 (product)
- Robotics Summit & Expo (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [OTTO Motors future in automotive; MARS Perseverance anniversary](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-02-17-otto-motors-future-in-automotive-mars-perseverance-anniversary) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Ep. 20 | Dr. Aaron Edsinger, CEO & Co-founder of Hello Robot and Former Head of Robotics at Google on Humanity in Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-03-18-ep-20-dr-aaron-edsinger-ceo-co-founder-of-hello-robot-and-former-head-of-robotic) (Moore's Lobby)
- [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)
- [RoboBusiness 2024 recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-19-robobusiness-2024-recap) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Beyond Manufacturing: AI-Powered Robotics and the Long Tail of Commercial Innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-08-15-beyond-manufacturing-ai-powered-robotics-and-the-long-tail-of-commercial-innovat) (The Robot Report Podcast)

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