# Episode 165: Robots behind the research - Kushant Patel

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-10-09
- Length: 19m
- Episode: 165
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel

## Summary

Kushant Patel, an instrumentation and controls engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory, explains how robots support scientific experiments at the NSLS-2 synchrotron. He details the deployment of Staubli and Universal Robots for automated sample exchange in complex materials scattering and biology beamlines. Patel discusses overcoming challenges like tight physical spaces, high-value detectors, and network latency from the secure RHEL operating system to achieve a standardized, mostly autonomous robotic stack.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=6) Introduction: Kushant Patel and Brookhaven National Laboratory
- [2:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=165) Synchrotrons and Beamlines at NSLS-2
- [4:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=250) Robot Deployment: Staubli and Universal Robots
- [6:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=399) Challenges: Space, Detectors, and Network Latency
- [10:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=618) Autonomy Levels and Customization
- [12:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=758) Standardized Software Stack and Vendor Support
- [14:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-09-episode-165-robots-behind-the-research-kushant-patel#t=878) Scientist Trust and Future Automation Goals

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Brookhaven National Laboratory (company)
- NSLS-2 (other)
- Staubli (product)
- Universal Robots (product)
- ROS 2 (tool)
- RHEL (other)
- MoveIt (tool)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (company)
- Boston Dynamics Spot (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Baseball & robotics startups during COVID-19; ROS on Windows 10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-08-baseball-robotics-startups-during-covid-19-ros-on-windows-10) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-12-20-bonus-leaders-in-machine-vision-and-robotics-live-from-boston-pt-1-of-2-brought) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Ep085: Cable Robots Two-Ways, Cubic Raspberry Pi, Plastic Wrap Kayak, and Digging Inductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-09-18-ep085-cable-robots-two-ways-cubic-raspberry-pi-plastic-wrap-kayak-and-digging-in) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Rick Faulk on Locus Robotics' potential IPO; Robots Have Landed on Mars](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Bonus Edition - 2023 RBR50 Review](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-04-21-bonus-edition-2023-rbr50-review) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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