# Unleashing the potential of AI in robotics

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2024-12-13
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics

## Summary

Ben Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Palladyne AI (formerly Sarcos), explains the company's pivot from hardware-focused exoskeletons to a software-centric AI platform after running out of cash. He details the challenges of being a public company post-SPAC, the decision to lay off hardware teams to reduce burn rate, and the development of 'Palladyne IQ,' a hardware-agnostic AI that teaches robots complex tasks in under 20 minutes. Wolff also discusses the strategic value and compliance burdens of securing Pentagon contracts for non-dilutive funding while navigating the competitive robotics landscape.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=0) Introduction and News: GM Cuts Cruise Funding
- [16:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=964) News: Universal Robots Expands to China
- [18:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=1132) News: Embodied AI and Kivion Financial Troubles
- [29:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=1773) Interview: Palladyne AI's Pivot from Hardware to Software
- [38:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=2310) Interview: The Impact of the SPAC and Public Market Challenges
- [45:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=2708) Interview: Palladyne IQ, Hardware Agnosticism, and Defense Contracts
- [1:03:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-13-unleashing-the-potential-of-ai-in-robotics#t=3812) Conclusion: Takeaways on Startup Funding and Strategy

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Palladyne AI (company)
- Sarcos (company)
- Cruise (company)
- GM (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Embodied AI (company)
- Moxie (product)
- Waymo (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Palladyne IQ (product)
- Palladyne Pilot (product)
- Kuka (company)
- ABB (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Red Cat Holdings (company)
- FlexQube (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [Kyle Vogt, founder of Twitch, Cruise, and The Bot Company, on AI, home robotics, and small-team innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2025-12-05-kyle-vogt-founder-of-twitch-cruise-and-the-bot-company-on-ai-home-robotics-and-s) (Go/No-Go)
- [Modularity in Robotics: A Vision for the Future](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2021-08-03-modularity-in-robotics-a-vision-for-the-future) (Over the Air)
- [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)
- [$2B for No Product, Robots Under $3K & Australia's Massive Miss](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-06-27-2b-for-no-product-robots-under-3k-australias-massive-miss) (Built 2 Scale)

## Citing this page

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