# Relay Robotics launches expanded cargo Relay2 robot

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2023-06-09
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot

## Summary

Relay Robotics CEO Michael O'Donnell and CTO Steve Cousins discuss the launch of the Relay2 delivery robot, which features a payload double that of the original Relay1, increasing capacity from 5 to 10 gallons. O'Donnell explains how the shift in hotel guest behavior toward third-party delivery apps like DoorDash and Grubhub created a demand for larger cargo spaces to transport food bags, while also highlighting the robot's utility in healthcare for delivering medications and crash kits. Cousins details the technical evolution, specifically the removal of the mechanical elevator button-pushing blade in favor of software integration with elevator controllers from companies like Otis and Schindler, which reduces weight and improves speed. The episode covers the robot's design-for-manufacturing changes, sensor upgrades for remote mapping, and the company's strategy to upgrade existing fleets while expanding into new hospital contracts.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=8) Introduction and Robo Business Call for Papers
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=213) Boston Dynamics Spot Updates and Turtle/Harvest Automation Merger
- [14:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=892) Waymo Robotaxi Incident and Industry Commentary
- [17:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=1044) Relay Robotics Market Context and Relay2 Payload Design
- [28:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=1722) Relay2 Elevator Integration and Software Approach
- [33:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=2035) Fleet Upgrade Strategy and Healthcare Use Cases
- [45:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-06-09-relay-robotics-launches-expanded-cargo-relay2-robot#t=2710) CTO Steve Cousins on Relay2 Hardware and Sensor Upgrades

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Relay Robotics (company)
- Savioke (company)
- Relay2 (product)
- Relay1 (product)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Spot (product)
- Turtle (product)
- Harvest Automation (company)
- Waymo (company)
- DoorDash (product)
- Grubhub (product)
- Uber Eats (product)
- Otis (company)
- Schindler (company)
- TK Elevator (company)
- Kone (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)
- [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)
- [Episode 132: Collaborating with industrial robots - Anthony Jules](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-11-07-episode-132-collaborating-with-industrial-robots-anthony-jules) (Robot Talk)
- [Robot Rundown | Episode 32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-12-16-robot-rundown-episode-32) (Built 2 Scale)
- [Autonomous Cleaning Revolution With Austin Deric](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-31-autonomous-cleaning-revolution-with-austin-deric) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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