Hardware Podcasts

Inside ABB’s acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics

The Robot Report Podcast · 27 Jul 2021 · 51m

What this episode covers

Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics, and Verónica Pascual, CEO of ASTI Mobile Robotics, discuss ABB’s acquisition of the Spanish mobile robotics company ASTI, which establishes a global development center in Spain and expands ASTI’s reach to 50+ countries. Ash Sharma of Interact Analysis provides market context, noting that large industrial vendors like ABB and Zebra are acquiring mobile robotics firms to offer complete automation suites, with ASTI targeting $50 million in revenue. The conversation highlights the strategic fit between ABB’s fixed robotics and ASTI’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), particularly in automotive and logistics, and predicts further consolidation in the sector as companies like Fetch Robotics and Locust face similar scaling pressures.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
ABB, ASTI Mobile Robotics, Interact Analysis, Fetch Robotics, Zebra, Locust, Vecna, Seegrid, AutoGuide, Pterodyne, Heartland Automation, Dematic, Omron, KUKA, Fanuc, Yaskawa
Products
AGV, AMR

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 50m

    BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 2 of 2 (brought to you by A3)

    Host Chris Luecke interviews Laura Hoffman, Patty Ketseris of Locust Robotics, Matt Charles of Robex, Melanie Weiss of Zebra Technologies, and Alex Ciccaney of A3 at the 2022 Vision Show in Boston. The group discusses the convergence of machine vision and mobile robotics, the shift toward cloud-based automation, and how manufacturing can learn from the repeatability of warehousing. They also cover Robex's acquisition by private equity, Zebra's acquisition of Fetch Robotics, and the growing adoption of AI and vision in non-traditional verticals like medical devices.

    Scaling productionConnected products & IoT
    5 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 21m

    BONUS: Leaders in Robotics, AMRs, and Logistics, Pt. 2 of 2 (brought to you by A3)

    Host Chris Luecke and co-host Jake Hall interview leaders from Vecna Robotics, Waypoint Robotics, WiBotic, Fetch Robotics, Dexterity, and FedEx at the 2021 AMRs and Logistics Conference. Daniel Theobald of Vecna Robotics discusses the critical need for AMR interoperability and the role of Mass Robotics in setting standards. Jason Walker of Waypoint Robotics explains the company's acquisition by Locust Robotics and the importance of flexibility in AMR deployment. Ben Waters of WiBotic details wireless charging solutions for diverse fleets, including space applications, while Melonee Wise of Fetch Robotics reflects on her company's acquisition by Zebra Technologies and the evolving safety standards for AMRs. Michael Patrick Perry of Dexterity outlines the stages of autonomous transformation in warehousing, and Aaron Prather of FedEx emphasizes the industry's return to in-person collaboration and the necessity of solving specific customer pain points.

    Scaling productionPolicy, trade & tariffs
    6 chapters

  • Robot Talk · 19m

    Episode 72: Smart mobile robots for industry - Rafael Lopez

    Rafael Lopez, Managing Director of Robotnik Automation, discusses the evolution of his company from a garage startup in 2002 to its 2023 acquisition by United Robotics Group. He highlights the Summit XL, a general-purpose mobile platform capable of carrying 65kg and operating for 8 hours, which serves as the foundation for specialized robots like the Arby Watcher for electrical substation inspections. Lopez explains how Robotnik’s strategy of offering customizable platforms with mountable sensors allows them to address diverse applications ranging from logistics to security, supported by extensive EU-funded R&D projects.

    Robotics & autonomySensors & measurement in products
    6 chapters

  • Over the Air · 36m

    Sustainability in the Robotics-as-a-Service Industry

    Stefan Nusser, Chief Product Officer at Fetch Robotics, discusses the company's recent acquisition by Zebra Technologies and how the Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model drives sustainability in B2B robotics. He explains that Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are designed for modularity and reuse, contrasting this with the disposable nature of many consumer electronics. Nusser highlights the importance of finding product-market fit through early pilot customers and the future potential of orchestrating workflows between human workers and collaborative robots.

    Sustainability & circular productsRobotics & autonomy
    6 chapters

  • The Hardware Story · 1h 41m

    Ep 4- The Hardware Story of Ati Motors | Autonomous Robots for Material movement in Factories

    Saurabh Chandra, Co-Founder and CEO of Ati Motors, explains how he transitioned from a software product management background to building autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for factory material movement. He details the company's journey from a $1M seed funded by his own capital to raising $37M+, highlighting the decision to use expensive 3D LiDAR early on and the pivot from a bulky prototype to a compact, hub-motor design after initial customer feedback. Chandra discusses the challenges of B2B sales with Fortune 500 clients, the strategic advantage of Bangalore's manufacturing ecosystem, and the importance of maintaining a standardized product to avoid costly customizations.

    Starting a product companyPrototyping & iteration
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Robot Report Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.