# Using Robots in High-Mix, Low-Volume Environments w/ Josh Gruenstein

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2025-01-28
- Length: 25m
- Episode: 242
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-7c8066dc-a7e2-4a99-9447-42376335c24b

## Summary

Josh Gruenstein, co-founder and CEO of Tutor Intelligence, explains how his MIT spinout uses AI and machine learning to automate high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments, such as co-packers and 3PLs, which were previously considered too variable for robotics. He details how their robots eliminate the need for specialized programming by interpreting build sheets and specifications directly, allowing facilities with no automation engineers to adopt automation. Gruenstein also describes Tutor Intelligence's 'Robot as a Service' model, which converts capital expenditures to operating expenses, reduces risk, and aligns vendor incentives with customer productivity through continuous software updates.

## Chapters

- [0:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=34) Introduction: Josh Gruenstein and Tutor Intelligence
- [5:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=347) High-Mix, Low-Volume Automation Challenges
- [8:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=525) Case Study: Co-packer Variability and Palletizing
- [11:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=707) Eliminating Programming with AI and Build Sheets
- [14:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=891) Labor Shortages, Reshoring, and Safety
- [20:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein#t=1231) Robot as a Service (RaaS) Model

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Tutor Intelligence (company)
- MIT (other)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- True Marketing (company)
- Industrial Marketing Summit (other)
- Tesla (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Aldi (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [208: Why High-Mix Manufacturing Is a Sweet Spot for Flexible Automation and AI with Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-10-22-208-why-high-mix-manufacturing-is-a-sweet-spot-for-flexible-automation-and-ai-wi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Configuring the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-05-22-configuring-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Modularity in Robotics: A Vision for the Future](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-08-03-modularity-in-robotics-a-vision-for-the-future) (Over the Air)
- [End-Of-Line Automation With Ai: Inside Rapid Robotics Revolution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-11-14-end-of-line-automation-with-ai-inside-rapid-robotics-revolution) (Over the Air)

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