Viam opens beta of new robotics platform; Amazon/FedEx end testing of delivery robots
Eliot Horowitz, founder and CEO of Viam Inc., explains the launch of Viam's open-source robotics platform, which aims to simplify robot development by providing simple APIs and integrated cloud services for orchestration. Co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the recent termination of delivery robot field tests by Amazon and FedEx, citing failures to meet customer needs and logistical hurdles like package offloading. The episode also covers an open letter from companies including Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics against weaponizing robots, and Walmart's acquisition of Alert Innovation to enhance its micro-fulfillment capabilities.