# Victor Darolfi, CEO of RoboTire, puts robots in the auto shop

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2022-09-23
- Length: 41m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop

## Summary

Victor Darolfi, CEO and founder of RoboTire, explains how his company is automating tire changing in auto shops using industrial robots and computer vision to handle high variability in wheel types and lighting conditions. He details the technical challenges of achieving precise placement without damaging vehicle components, the safety measures required for a consumer-facing environment, and the strategic partnership with Discount Tire that helped refine the Gen 3 system. Darolfi also discusses the labor shortage in the auto repair industry and how RoboTire’s subscription model aims to make automation accessible to independent shops while serving as a platform for future vehicle maintenance tasks.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=8) Introduction and Industry News
- [5:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=351) RoboTire Genesis and Workflow
- [13:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=827) Robot Configuration and End Effector Design
- [16:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=979) Safety Systems and Industrial vs. Cobot Choice
- [21:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=1277) Workforce Shortages and Technician Reaction
- [27:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=1666) Pricing, Subscription Model, and Discount Tire Partnership
- [30:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=1841) Vision Challenges and Lighting Variability
- [35:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-09-23-victor-darolfi-ceo-of-robotire-puts-robots-in-the-auto-shop#t=2134) Future Platform and Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- RoboTire (company)
- Discount Tire (company)
- Hunter Engineering (company)
- Kawasaki (company)
- Mitsubishi (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [Custom Machine Vision & Robotics Solutions w/ Jonathan Berte](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-04-27-custom-machine-vision-robotics-solutions-w-jonathan-berte) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [172: How To Stay Focused on Your Mission and Deliver Robotic Solutions at Scale with Rapid Robotics CEO & Co-Founder Jordan Kretchmer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-02-13-172-how-to-stay-focused-on-your-mission-and-deliver-robotic-solutions-at-scale-w) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Solving Labor Challenges the Simpler Way: A Fresh Look at Robotics w/ Ken Macken](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-03-solving-labor-challenges-the-simpler-way-a-fresh-look-at-robotics-w-ken-macken) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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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