# Making robots easier to program and deploy

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2024-07-19
- Length: 1h 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy

## Summary

Max Cao, CEO and co-founder of Jacobi Robotics, explains how his company uses AI-driven motion planning to simplify robot programming, highlighting their 'Jacobi Paletizer' application and a 95% reduction in commissioning time. The episode also features Jan Hennecke, product manager at Igus, discussing the 'RBTX' low-cost automation platform, which leverages plastic-based components to make robotics accessible to small businesses and educational institutions. Additionally, the hosts discuss industry news, including Agility Robotics' 'Digit' humanoid pricing and funding, as well as the rise of robotics foundation models from companies like Skilled AI and Helm AI.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy#t=9) Introduction: Humanoid Standards Study Group
- [4:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy#t=287) Agility Robotics: Digit Pricing and Funding
- [18:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy#t=1090) Skilled AI and Helm AI: Foundation Models
- [29:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy#t=1746) Jacobi Robotics: AI Motion Planning and Paletizing
- [1:07:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy#t=4075) Igus RBTX: Low-Cost Automation and Education

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Jacobi Robotics (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Digit (product)
- Igus (company)
- RBTX (product)
- Skilled AI (company)
- Helm AI (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- Open AI (company)
- Covariant (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Using Robots in High-Mix, Low-Volume Environments w/ Josh Gruenstein](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-28-using-robots-in-high-mix-low-volume-environments-w-josh-gruenstein) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Democratizing Industrial Automation w/ Etienne Lacroix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-10-29-democratizing-industrial-automation-w-etienne-lacroix) (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)
- [Episode 123: Standardising robot programming - Nick Thompson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-05-30-episode-123-standardising-robot-programming-nick-thompson) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-19-making-robots-easier-to-program-and-deploy. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Robot Report Podcast.