# Robots are coming - Ominous Operational Overhaul

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2015-04-22
- Length: 1h 18m
- Episode: 246
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/246-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the real-world robot BB-8 from the new Star Wars trailer, noting it was built by Sphero using a balancing mechanism. They then examine a massive collection of desoldered electronic components found by Jones, debating the utility of hoarding obsolete through-hole parts versus modern distribution. The conversation shifts to the rise of industrial robotics, citing the Baxter robot and the economic implications of automation on labor, before touching on the legal issues surrounding John Deere's tractor ownership and MakerBot's layoffs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=0) Introduction and Star Wars Trailer Discussion
- [1:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=102) Sphero's BB-8 Robot Technology
- [5:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=338) Patents and John Oliver's Critique
- [11:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=664) The Massive Desoldered Component Collection
- [28:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=1692) Component Storage and Obsolescence
- [32:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=1946) TSMC's 16nm Process and Microcontroller Selection
- [36:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=2179) John Deere Tractor Ownership and IP Rights
- [44:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=2670) MakerBot Layoffs and Corporate Culture
- [54:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=3281) The Rise of Industrial Robotics and Baxter
- [1:06:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-22-robots-are-coming-ominous-operational-overhaul#t=3983) Future of Work and Aerial Photography

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Sphero (company)
- BB-8 (product)
- John Deere (company)
- MakerBot (company)
- Baxter (product)
- TSMC (company)
- Freescale (company)
- NXP (company)
- Formlabs (company)
- Stratasys (company)
- DJI (company)
- 3D Robotics (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Farnell (company)
- RS Components (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Robotics in Review: Editors look back at 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-23-robotics-in-review-editors-look-back-at-2025) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Vecna’s Daniel Theobald, August robot deals, SoftBank’s Brady Watkins](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-09-09-vecnas-daniel-theobald-august-robot-deals-softbanks-brady-watkins) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [From CES To Factory Floors: Robotics, Labor, And The New Supply Chain, with Shawn DuBravac](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-03-19-from-ces-to-factory-floors-robotics-labor-and-the-new-supply-chain-with-shawn-du) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [RoboBusiness 2024 recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-19-robobusiness-2024-recap) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Jeff Burnstein on robot sales growth; Softbank’s evolving robotics play](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-28-jeff-burnstein-on-robot-sales-growth-softbanks-evolving-robotics-play) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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