# Podcast: First-half 2020 highlights; space robotics expert Chris Thayer

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2020-07-01
- Length: 1h 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer

## Summary

Steve Crow and Eugene Dimitri recap the first half of 2020, discussing Amazon's acquisition of Zoox, Aurora Innovation's pivot to autonomous trucking, and the impact of COVID-19 on robotics companies like Boston Dynamics and iRobot. They then interview Chris Thayer, CEO of Motive Space Systems, about the company's development of the X-Link modular space robotic arm, its work on the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, and strategies for lowering the cost of space robotics.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=7) Introduction and First-Half 2020 Highlights
- [2:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=123) Amazon's Acquisition of Zoox and Autonomous Vehicle Logistics
- [10:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=608) Aurora Innovation's Pivot to Autonomous Trucking
- [17:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=1056) COVID-19 Impact on Robotics and Automation
- [29:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=1749) Boston Dynamics Spot Commercialization and iRobot Terra Suspension
- [36:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=2186) Reskilling Coal Miners into Robotics Technicians
- [42:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=2542) Chris Thayer on Motive Space Systems and X-Link
- [57:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=3473) Technical Challenges and Testing of Space Robotics
- [1:06:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-01-podcast-first-half-2020-highlights-space-robotics-expert-chris-thayer#t=3967) Ground vs. Space Robotics and Remote Work Lessons

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Motive Space Systems (company)
- Zoox (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Aurora Innovation (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Spot (product)
- iRobot (company)
- Terra (product)
- X-Link (product)
- Perseverance Rover (product)
- MDA (company)
- Maxar (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Unitree Robotics (company)
- AutoGuide (company)
- Heartland Automation (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Robomantis (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 127: Robots exploring other planets - Frances Zhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-03-episode-127-robots-exploring-other-planets-frances-zhu) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Two - Space Robotics: out of this world](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2020-10-30-episode-two-space-robotics-out-of-this-world) (Robot Talk)
- [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)
- [51. Recapping 2021](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-05-51-recapping-2021) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Episode 146: Embodied AI on the ISS - Jamie Palmer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-27-episode-146-embodied-ai-on-the-iss-jamie-palmer) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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