# Airports test self-driving passenger pods; Chili's pauses robotics pilot

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2022-08-26
- Length: 1h 11m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot

## Summary

Jessica Yip, co-founder and COO of A&K Robotics, explains how her Vancouver-based startup is developing autonomous electric pods to assist passengers with mobility issues at airports, currently testing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The episode also covers Locus Robotics securing a major expansion with GEODIS to deploy 1,000 more AMRs, and discusses why Chili's paused its pilot with Bear Robotics due to unclear ROI amidst economic headwinds. Additionally, the hosts review Air Seed's drone technology for reforestation, which uses AI to drop seed pods for rapid tree planting.

## Chapters

- [0:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=59) Introduction and Mobile Robotics Week Recap
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=260) Locus Robotics and GEODIS 1,000 Robot Deal
- [9:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=595) Chili's Pauses Bear Robotics Pilot Due to ROI
- [22:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=1351) Air Seed Drones for Reforestation
- [28:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=1688) A&K Robotics: Autonomous Airport Pods with Jessica Yip
- [1:07:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-08-26-airports-test-self-driving-passenger-pods-chilis-pauses-robotics-pilot#t=4042) Conclusion and Event Promotion

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- A&K Robotics (company)
- Locus Robotics (company)
- GEODIS (company)
- Bear Robotics (company)
- Air Seed (company)
- WingTech USA (company)
- DHL (company)
- Soft Bank (company)
- Pepper robot (product)
- Miso Robotics (company)
- Keenan (company)
- Puto (company)
- Kiva robotics (company)
- Ryan Air (company)
- Qatar Airlines (company)
- Delta (company)
- Southwest (company)
- Weimo (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 158: Autonomous robot deliveries - Ahti Heinla](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-05-29-episode-158-autonomous-robot-deliveries-ahti-heinla) (Robot Talk)
- [BONUS: Hear what Investors, Educators, and High Growth Companies have to say about the future of Robotics, Automation, and AI, Pt. 1 of 2 (brought to you by Cascadia Capital)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-06-24-bonus-hear-what-investors-educators-and-high-growth-companies-have-to-say-about) (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)
- [Colby Harvey: Drones for Aircraft Inspections, Boeing, Air Force, Air Safety | Hard Tech Podcast #13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-09-24-colby-harvey-drones-for-aircraft-inspections-boeing-air-force-air-safety-hard-te) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [30. Climate Change AI, Robots Getting You Dressed, Drones Evacuating Nursing Homes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-08-10-30-climate-change-ai-robots-getting-you-dressed-drones-evacuating-nursing-homes) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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