Hardware Podcasts

AMRs & Logistics Conference Recap; Pitney Bowes on Autonomous Sorting

The Robot Report Podcast · 16 Oct 2021 · 1h 10m

What this episode covers

Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman recap the AMRs & Logistics Conference in Memphis, highlighting new products from Boston Dynamics, Mule, and Dexterous Robotics, and the launch of the Mass Robotics interoperability standard. They interview Stephanie Cannon of Pitney Bowes, who details the company's partnership with Ambi Robotics to deploy autonomous sorting systems across its US network, driven by labor shortages and pandemic-related social distancing needs. The hosts also discuss recent industry news, including Waymo's operational challenges with San Francisco's 'Slow Streets' program and the ethical controversy surrounding Ghost Robotics' weaponized quadruped.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
TE Connectivity, Boston Dynamics, Milvis, Mule, Dexterous Robotics, Mass Robotics, Waymo, Ghost Robotics, Pitney Bowes, Ambi Robotics, Pickle, +one Robotics
Products
Spot, Pitney Bowes postage meter, AutoStore

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • 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

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 42m

    244: Automate LIVE 2025: Warehousing Innovations, AI at the Edge, and Interoperability

    Melonee Wise of Agility Robotics discusses the practical logistics applications of humanoid robots, emphasizing a tiered approach to complexity and the critical importance of new ISO safety standards for cooperative deployment. Glen Guernsey of JR Automation highlights advancements in warehouse automation, specifically random SKU palletization and automated truck loading/unloading, driven by labor shortages. Zoie Rittling of OnLogic and Michael Maxey of ZEDEDA explain the concept of 'right-sizing' AI at the edge to eliminate mundane operational tasks without over-engineering. Finally, Robert Ponsonby of Arduino details how open-source interoperability allows manufacturers to integrate legacy systems with modern cloud infrastructure, accelerating deployment and reducing costs.

    Robotics & autonomyAI & machine learning
    5 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 09m

    BONUS: Leaders in Robotics, AMRs, and Logistics, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)

    Chris Luecke and Jake Hall interview six leaders at the A3 AMR and Logistics Conference, including Ed Mullen of Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), Erik Nieves of Plus One Robotics, Joe Gemma of Calvary Robotics, Ryan Finelli of Humatics, Carol Franklin of A3, and Roger Christian of Yaskawa Motoman. The discussion covers the evolution of AMRs, the critical role of certified systems integrators, and the importance of workforce development programs like eCammy. Key technologies such as 3D vision, ultra-wideband microlocation, and safety standards are highlighted as essential for integrating robots into dynamic, human-centric environments.

    Robotics & autonomyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    7 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 40m

    Deploying Intelligent Robots at Scale with Dexterity CEO Samir Menon

    Samir Menon, Founder & CEO of Dexterity, explains how his company uses AI-driven robotics to automate high-speed distribution in logistics and warehousing, aiming to make repetitive manual labor optional. He details Dexterity's evolution from large enterprise clients to democratizing access for small businesses, supported by a recent $140 million Series B funding round. Menon outlines a six-stage spectrum of robotic progress, noting that Dexterity is currently deploying Level 4 systems that collaborate safely with humans, with Level 5 systems on the horizon.

    Robotics & autonomyScaling production
    7 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 54m

    BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)

    Chris Luecke and Jake Hall interview leaders from Plus One Robotics, IDS Imaging, Calvary Robotics, CMES Robotics, Lincode Labs, KUKA, and Locus Robotics at the A3 Vision Show and AMRL Conference in Boston. The guests discuss the persistent 'technology hesitancy' in warehouse automation, the critical role of machine vision in enabling mobile robots to operate in unstructured environments, and the workforce shortages driving adoption. They also share insights on market entry strategies, AI deployment for quality inspection, and the cultural differences between scaling a startup and operating within an enterprise.

    Leadership, teams & cultureHiring & workforce
    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.