Hardware Podcasts

Inside the development of Labrador Systems' assistive robots

The Robot Report Podcast · 21 Jul 2022 · 1h 29m

What this episode covers

Mike Dooley, co-founder and CEO of Labrador Systems, explains how his company is building assistive autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for home environments to help the elderly and those with mobility issues. He details the decision to use vision-based navigation instead of LIDAR to reduce cost and power consumption, drawing on his previous experience at Evolution Robotics and iRobot. The episode also covers the recent wave of layoffs and business model pivots in the broader robotics industry, including Pudu Robotics, Fabric, and Starship Technologies.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Labrador Systems, Evolution Robotics, iRobot, Pudu Robotics, Fabric, Starship Technologies, Neuro, DoorDash, Willow Garage, Toyota Research, Google, Nationwide
Products
ChaliBotics, Roomba, Amazon Astro, Alexa
Chips
Intel RealSense
Also
James Webb Space Telescope, Medicaid, Medicare

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Over the Air · 29m

    The Rise Of Retail Robots With Simbe Robotics

    Shaw, CTO of Simbe Robotics, explains how the company pivoted from a generic autonomous mobile robot (AMR) platform to focusing on retail inventory management with their robot Tally. He details the evolution from early prototypes using GoPros and laser-cut wood to a sophisticated system combining computer vision, RFID, and AI to help retailers track stock levels and planogram compliance. Shaw also discusses the company's scaling journey, the integration of software stacks like ROS and AWS, and future innovations like the Cindy Mobile app and virtual tours.

    Robotics & autonomyAI & machine learning
    6 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 Manufacturing Executive · 25m

    Perspectives on Automation, AI, & the Future w/ Andy Lonsberry

    Andy Lonsberry, Founder and CEO of Path Robotics, explains how the company identified a market pain point in high-mix, low-volume welding and developed a fully autonomous robotic system using machine learning and computer vision. He details the journey from a 24-month consulting exploration to securing $15 million in Series A funding by bringing an autonomous robot to Silicon Valley. Lonsberry also discusses the 'Robots as a Service' (RAS) business model, which eliminates upfront capital expenditure for manufacturers by tying payment to system performance, and highlights the abundance of engineering talent in the Midwest.

    Mechanical engineeringAI & machine learning
    7 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.