# Viam opens beta of new robotics platform; Amazon/FedEx end testing of delivery robots

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2022-10-14
- Length: 1h 07m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazonfedex-end-testing-of-delivery-robots

## Summary

Eliot Horowitz, founder and CEO of Viam Inc., explains the launch of Viam's open-source robotics platform, which aims to simplify robot development by providing simple APIs and integrated cloud services for orchestration. Co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the recent termination of delivery robot field tests by Amazon and FedEx, citing failures to meet customer needs and logistical hurdles like package offloading. The episode also covers an open letter from companies including Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics against weaponizing robots, and Walmart's acquisition of Alert Innovation to enhance its micro-fulfillment capabilities.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=9) Introduction: Robo Business Event and Waymo Robotaxi
- [7:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=426) Amazon and FedEx End Delivery Robot Testing
- [16:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=994) Open Letter Against Weaponizing Robots
- [21:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=1268) Walmart Acquires Alert Innovation
- [33:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=2016) Viam Platform Overview and Genesis
- [45:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=2706) Viam Hardware Flexibility and Compute
- [48:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=2890) Viam Software Stack and ROS Comparison
- [55:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-10-14-viam-opens-beta-of-new-robotics-platform-amazon-fedex-end-testing-of-delivery-ro#t=3332) Viam Cloud Features and Roadmap

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Viam (company)
- Amazon (company)
- FedEx (company)
- Scout (product)
- Roxo (product)
- Waymo (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Unitree Robotics (company)
- Clear Path Robotics (company)
- Open Robotics (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Alert Innovation (company)
- Kiva (product)
- Universal Robots (product)
- MongoDB (company)
- ROS (other)
- Starship Technologies (company)
- Grubhub (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [106. Last Meter Delivery Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-01-24-106-last-meter-delivery-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Deploying Intelligent Robots at Scale with Dexterity CEO Samir Menon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-28-deploying-intelligent-robots-at-scale-with-dexterity-ceo-samir-menon) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Live from LA - Matt and Scotty’s Austin and LA adventures, plus NVIDIA and Google power plays](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-07-30-live-from-la-matt-and-scottys-austin-and-la-adventures-plus-nvidia-and-google-po) (Built 2 Scale)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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