The Robot Report Podcast · 25 Jul 2025 · 31m
Nick Damiano, Senior Business Development Manager at Novanta Robotics & Automation, discusses the critical role of high-performance components in the development of safe and functional humanoid robots. He explains how Novanta’s force torque sensors and miniature drives address specific challenges like power efficiency, strength density, and joint-level safety ratings. Damiano emphasizes that robust sensory input is essential for AI-driven behavioral control and warns that safety certification must be integrated from the prototype stage to avoid costly delays.
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Host Chris Luecke recaps the 2024 Robotics Summit in Boston, featuring interviews with Jonathan Hurst of Agility Robotics, Joyce Sidopoulos of MassRobotics, and Scott Sizemore of Electrocraft. The episode explores the commercialization of humanoid robots, the shift from disjointed component sourcing to integrated motion systems, and the role of accelerators in scaling early-stage robotics startups.
Jay Li, CEO and Founder of Proception, explains that current humanoid robots possess 'toddler-level' dexterity, lacking the tactile sensing required for useful work. He argues that while hardware and range of motion have improved, tactile feedback is now the critical bottleneck for high-success-rate manipulation. Proception addresses this by providing both robotic hands for deployment and specialized gloves for high-quality data collection to train AI models.
Host Jake Hall interviews Aaron Prather, Director of Robotics & Autonomous Systems at ASTM International, about the critical role of safety standards in deploying humanoid robots across diverse environments like homes and healthcare. Spencer Krause, President and CEO of SKA Robotics, discusses the current state of the industry, highlighting use cases in mining, construction, and hospital logistics, and explaining how advancements in edge AI and cheaper sensors are enabling broader adoption. The conversation covers the transition of robotics from controlled industrial settings to unstructured public and private spaces, emphasizing the need for robust safety frameworks and cost-effective technology to reach a buyer's market.
Professor Gordon Cheng of the Technical University of Munich explains his development of event-driven e-skins for humanoid robots, using off-the-shelf sensors to create a low-power, autonomous touch system that improves safety and enables brain-machine interface applications. He discusses the challenges of scaling sensor data, the move from conventional control to neuromorphic event-based processing, and the potential for sensory substitution in prosthetics. The episode also features commentary from Dr. Giulia D’Angelo and Professor Ralph Etienne-Cummings on the definition of neuromorphic engineering and the current state of the industry.
Melonee Wise, Chief Product Officer at Agility Robotics and founder of the acquired Fetch Robotics, discusses the practical industrial applications of humanoid robots, specifically focusing on containerized movement and safety challenges. She explains how Agility's Digit robot complements Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) by handling tasks like nesting and palletizing, and argues that while AI aids development, the core technology is already viable for scalable deployment. Wise also reflects on her past experience building Fetch Robotics, emphasizing the importance of product-market fit, labor availability, and navigating the hype cycle to build a sustainable business.
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