# Episode 95: Helping companies grow with robotics - Jonathan Walker

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2024-10-25
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 95
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-ninety-five-jonathan-walker

## Summary

Jonathan Walker, Innovation Lead for Robotics and Sensors at Innovate UK, discusses the challenges of commercializing robotics research in the UK, including the 'valley of death' between university prototypes and market-ready products. He outlines government support mechanisms like Smart Grants and Contracts for Innovation, while highlighting regulatory barriers in marine and autonomous sectors. Walker also explores key application areas such as the circular economy, construction, and nuclear decommissioning, noting that while humanoid robots generate excitement, practical industrial and care applications offer more immediate value.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=7) Introduction and Innovate UK Overview
- [2:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=132) Funding Mechanisms and the Valley of Death
- [7:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=447) Technology Readiness Levels and Commercialization Gaps
- [8:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=511) Regulatory Barriers and the RAZ Committee
- [12:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=731) Market Size, Export Challenges, and Public Perception
- [15:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=902) Robotics in the Circular Economy and Recycling
- [18:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=1089) Construction, Infrastructure Repair, and Demographics
- [20:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker#t=1212) Humanoid Robots vs. Practical Applications

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Innovate UK (company)
- Business Connect (company)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency (company)
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems Regulations Committee (company)
- NHS (company)
- DEFRA (company)
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (company)
- Shadow Hand (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Robotics Factory Builds Robot Companies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-02-28-the-robotics-factory-builds-robot-companies) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [181: Leadership and Ethics in the Adoption of Robotics with Ryan Gariepy, CTO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors](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) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [A Review of the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-18-a-review-of-the-rbr50-robotics-innovation-awards) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [112: Designing & Commercializing Robotics Inventions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-02-02-112-designing-commercializing-robotics-inventions) (Product Startup)
- [264: Inside Automated: Asking the Right Questions about Robotics and AI with Brian Heater, Managing Editor at A3 and Host of the Automated Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-02-264-inside-automated-asking-the-right-questions-about-robotics-and-ai-with-brian) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-10-25-episode-95-helping-companies-grow-with-robotics-jonathan-walker. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Robot Talk.