# FedEx's parcel-handling robots; Waymo & Fiat; MassRobotics on startups dealing with COVID-19

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2020-07-22
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-covid

## Summary

Eric Nieves, co-founder and CEO of +one Robotics, explains how the company deployed four parcel-handling robots at FedEx’s Memphis hub, utilizing a 'supervised autonomy' model where a human 'crew chief' remotely assists the robot’s 3D vision system when it encounters unrecognizable items. The hosts discuss Waymo’s exclusive partnership with Fiat Chrysler for autonomous delivery vans and the shifting landscape of self-driving tech, including Fiat ending its relationship with Aurora. Tom Ryden of Mass Robotics provides an update on the Boston robotics ecosystem, detailing how startups are adapting to COVID-19 through virtual events, new funding, and pivots like building ventilators.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=7) Introduction and +one Robotics Overview
- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=167) FedEx Deployment and Supervised Autonomy
- [6:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=374) Vision Systems and Gripper Agnosticism
- [15:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=908) Business Model: Capex vs. Robots-as-a-Service
- [24:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=1484) Funding Strategy and COVID Impact on Logistics
- [35:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=2158) Waymo and Fiat Chrysler Partnership
- [40:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=2426) Autonomous Trucking and Delivery Robots
- [48:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=2916) Mass Robotics and Startup Adaptation to COVID-19
- [1:02:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-22-fedexs-parcel-handling-robots-waymo-fiat-massrobotics-on-startups-dealing-with-c#t=3728) Warehouse Automation and Interoperability

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- +one Robotics (company)
- FedEx (company)
- Waymo (company)
- Fiat Chrysler (company)
- Aurora (company)
- Mass Robotics (company)
- Dexterity AI (company)
- Amazon Scout (product)
- Starship (company)
- Kiva (company)
- 6 Rivers (company)
- Locust (company)
- Yaskawa (company)
- Southwest Research Institute (company)
- Schematic Ventures (company)
- Pritzger Group (company)
- Dynamo Ventures (company)
- Zebra Ventures (company)
- Argo AI (company)
- Too Simple (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS: Leaders in Robotics, AMRs, and Logistics, Pt. 2 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-11-26-bonus-leaders-in-robotics-amrs-and-logistics-pt-2-of-2-brought-to-you-by-a3) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 158: Autonomous robot deliveries - Ahti Heinla](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-05-29-episode-158-autonomous-robot-deliveries-ahti-heinla) (Robot Talk)
- [From Robotics to Workforce to Tech in Pop Culture with FedEx’s Aaron Prather](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-15-from-robotics-to-workforce-to-tech-in-pop-culture-with-fedexs-aaron-prather) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Get Started w/ Data Collection & Robotics Today w/ Aaron Prather](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-17-get-started-w-data-collection-robotics-today-w-aaron-prather) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [106. Last Meter Delivery Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-01-24-106-last-meter-delivery-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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