# Dextrous Robotics exits stealth; how robots impact the future of work

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2020-11-18
- Length: 1h 00m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robotics-impacts-the-future-of-work

## Summary

Evan Drumwright, CEO and co-founder of Dextrous Robotics, explains how his Memphis-based startup is exiting stealth mode to automate the unloading of box trucks using a unique 'Chopsticks' system. Drumwright details the engineering challenges of manipulating diverse packages without suction or complex anthropomorphic grippers, relying instead on high-precision custom hardware and human-in-the-loop perception. The episode also covers recent robotics industry news, including Motional's Level 4 autonomous vehicle testing in Nevada and an MIT study on the impact of robots on employment.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=6) Introduction and Robot Movie Discussion
- [9:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=550) Dextrous Robotics' Chopsticks System and Manipulation Strategy
- [18:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=1104) Competitive Landscape and Logistics Industry Challenges
- [24:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=1448) Hardware Design, Custom Arms, and Economic Viability
- [30:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=1839) Legged Robots, Asimo, and Commercialization
- [35:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=2146) Business Model, Pandemic Impact, and Timeline
- [41:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=2471) Robotics Investment Trends and Motional's Level 4 Testing
- [52:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-11-18-dextrous-robotics-exits-stealth-how-robots-impact-the-future-of-work#t=3128) MIT Study on Robots and the Future of Work

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Dextrous Robotics (company)
- Chopsticks (product)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Asimo (product)
- Motional (company)
- Workhorse Group (company)
- Applied Intuition (company)
- Outrider (company)
- Honeywell (company)
- FedEx (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Toyota (company)
- Spot (product)
- Digit (product)
- Waymo (company)
- Cruise (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Lyft (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [173: Leveraging Robotics in an Unstructured World with Dexterity's Michael Patrick Perry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-02-20-173-leveraging-robotics-in-an-unstructured-world-with-dexteritys-michael-patrick) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Deploying Intelligent Robots at Scale with Dexterity CEO Samir Menon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-28-deploying-intelligent-robots-at-scale-with-dexterity-ceo-samir-menon) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Intelligent Robots and the Warehouse of the Future](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-08-16-intelligent-robots-and-the-warehouse-of-the-future) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Accessible Robotics Solutions for Niche Applications w/ Colin Riggs and Dianne Abruzzini Riggs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-11-21-accessible-robotics-solutions-for-niche-applications-w-colin-riggs-and-dianne-ab) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-12-20-bonus-leaders-in-machine-vision-and-robotics-live-from-boston-pt-1-of-2-brought) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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