# Softbank distancing itself from Pepper, AutoStore's Mike Demko, robotics industry services

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2021-06-25
- Length: 1h 00m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-services

## Summary

Steve Crowe and Mike Oitsman discuss SoftBank Robotics Europe's 40% staff reduction and strategic pivot away from emotional humanoids like Pepper toward commercially viable systems, alongside Hyundai's acquisition of Boston Dynamics. Jason dePreaux of Interact Analysis details the $4.5 billion warehouse automation services market, highlighting growth in remote support, spare parts, and on-site operations driven by e-commerce. Mike Demko, head of AutoStore’s MFC business line, explains how their automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) enables micro-fulfillment in grocery, offering high density, inventory accuracy, and 3x productivity gains by eliminating picker travel time.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=7) Introduction and Show Housekeeping
- [1:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=62) Hyundai Acquires Boston Dynamics and SoftBank Cuts Pepper Staff
- [7:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=479) Dusty Robotics Series A and Field Printer Pivot
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=663) Jason dePreaux on the $4.5B Warehouse Automation Services Market
- [34:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=2092) Robotics Week Event Announcement
- [36:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-06-25-softbank-distancing-itself-from-pepper-autostores-mike-demko-robotics-industry-s#t=2203) Mike Demko on AutoStore Micro-Fulfillment and Grocery Automation

## Topics

- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- SoftBank Robotics Europe (company)
- Pepper (product)
- Now (product)
- Hyundai (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- We.Ride (company)
- Dusty Robotics (company)
- Field Printer (product)
- Interact Analysis (company)
- AutoStore (company)
- Mike Demko (other)
- Jason dePreaux (other)
- Steve Crowe (other)
- Mike Oitsman (other)
- Robot Lab (company)
- Bear Robotics (company)
- Whiz (product)
- P-Pod (product)
- Fresh Direct (company)
- DoorDorganics (company)
- Instacart (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Walmart (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [282: Inside a Warehouse Automation Project: How Sumitomo Drive Technologies Is Transforming Logistics and Reshoring Operations](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-07-282-inside-a-warehouse-automation-project-how-sumitomo-drive-technologies-is-tra) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [242. Mouser’s Matt Bell & The Next Generation of Automated Warehouses](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-03-10-242-mousers-matt-bell-the-next-generation-of-automated-warehouses) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [244: Automate LIVE 2025: Warehousing Innovations, AI at the Edge, and Interoperability](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-04-244-automate-live-2025-warehousing-innovations-ai-at-the-edge-and-interoperabili) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: The Future of Intralogistics featuring Siemens' Joel Thomas and Markus Thiel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-04-bonus-the-future-of-intralogistics-featuring-siemens-joel-thomas-and-markus-thie) (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)

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