# Rick Faulk on Locus Robotics' potential IPO; Robots Have Landed on Mars

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2021-02-19
- Length: 56m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars

## Summary

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, discusses the company's $150 million Series E funding round, which values the firm at $1 billion, and outlines plans for global expansion, R&D, and a potential IPO. He explains how Locus uses data analytics and collaborative robotics to automate warehouse operations, leveraging their background from Quiet Logistics to solve industry-specific labor challenges. Will Wilder, CEO of Wilder Systems, describes a modular cobot system developed to automate rapid COVID-19 testing, detailing its components like the Fanuc CRX and PCR analyzers, and its adaptation for testing other viruses such as Ebola and Zika.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=0) Introduction: Mars Missions and Show Overview
- [4:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=266) Rick Faulk on Locus Robotics' $150M Series E and Unicorn Status
- [6:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=419) Locus Robotics R&D, Global Expansion, and Data Analytics
- [13:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=835) Locus's Industry Expertise from Quiet Logistics and Customer Success
- [17:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=1051) Locus Robotics IPO Potential and European Growth
- [34:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=2083) Will Wilder on Wilder Systems' Automated COVID-19 Testing
- [40:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=2446) Wilder Systems Throughput, Cost, and Robots-as-a-Service Model
- [46:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-02-19-rick-faulk-on-locus-robotics-potential-ipo-robots-have-landed-on-mars#t=2810) Wilder Systems Development Speed, Fanuc CRX, and Future Applications

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Locus Robotics (company)
- Wilder Systems (company)
- NASA JPL (company)
- Perseverance Rover (product)
- Ingenuity Helicopter (product)
- Quiet Logistics (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- CRX (product)
- PCR Analyzer (product)
- Waymo (company)
- Cruise (company)
- Verizon (company)
- in-cubed IT (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Perspectives on Automation, AI, & the Future w/ Andy Lonsberry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-08-perspectives-on-automation-ai-the-future-w-andy-lonsberry) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)
- [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)
- [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)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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