# Inside the development of Labrador Systems' assistive robots

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2022-07-21
- Length: 1h 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [4:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=291) Industry Layoffs and Market Shifts
- [26:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=1567) James Webb Space Telescope Images
- [36:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=2182) Labrador Systems Product Overview
- [41:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=2468) Design Philosophy: Utility Over Anthropomorphism
- [55:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=3303) Vision-Based Navigation Technology
- [1:02:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=3755) Lessons from Evolution Robotics and iRobot
- [1:13:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-07-21-inside-the-development-of-labrador-systems-assistive-robots#t=4394) Testing, Pilots, and Insurance Reimbursement

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Labrador Systems (company)
- Evolution Robotics (company)
- iRobot (company)
- Pudu Robotics (company)
- Fabric (company)
- Starship Technologies (company)
- Neuro (company)
- DoorDash (company)
- ChaliBotics (product)
- Roomba (product)
- Amazon Astro (product)
- James Webb Space Telescope (other)
- Alexa (product)
- Intel RealSense (chip)
- Willow Garage (company)
- Toyota Research (company)
- Google (company)
- Nationwide (company)
- Medicaid (other)
- Medicare (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 4- The Hardware Story of Ati Motors | Autonomous Robots for Material movement in Factories](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-story/2025-06-02-ep-4-the-hardware-story-of-ati-motors-autonomous-robots-for-material-movement-in) (The Hardware Story)
- [BONUS: Leaders in Robotics, AMRs, and Logistics, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-11-23-bonus-leaders-in-robotics-amrs-and-logistics-pt-1-of-2-brought-to-you-by-a3) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The Rise Of Retail Robots With Simbe Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-10-the-rise-of-retail-robots-with-simbe-robotics) (Over the Air)
- [BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-12-20-bonus-leaders-in-machine-vision-and-robotics-live-from-boston-pt-1-of-2-brought) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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