# Thomas Pilz on Innovation  and Safety in Robotics

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-23
- Length: 1h 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics

## Summary

Thomas Pilz, CEO of Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, discusses the company's evolution from glass-blowing to a leader in industrial and robotic safety, emphasizing the 'spirit of safety' and the importance of international standards like ISO and IEC. He highlights Pilz's new software platform Mycel for compliance, drive-integrated safety for humanoids, and the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. The episode also covers industry news, including iRobot's bankruptcy restructuring under Pisea, Serve Robotics' acquisition of Diligent Robotics, and Hyundai's union concerns regarding Atlas humanoid robots.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=8) Intro and John Deere Excavator Event
- [7:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=445) iRobot Bankruptcy and Pisea Acquisition
- [13:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=829) Serve Robotics Acquires Diligent Robotics
- [21:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=1306) Microsoft Research RoAlpha VLA Model
- [25:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=1543) Hyundai Union Concerns on Atlas Humanoids
- [33:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=2023) Thomas Pilz Interview: Company History and Safety Philosophy
- [51:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=3068) Pilz Products: Mycel, IOLink, and Drive-Integrated Safety
- [1:00:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-23-thomas-pilz-on-innovation-and-safety-in-robotics#t=3655) Hydrogen Energy and AI Safety Certification

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Pilz GmbH & Co. KG (company)
- iRobot (company)
- Pisea (company)
- John Deere (company)
- Serve Robotics (company)
- Diligent Robotics (company)
- Moxie (product)
- Atlas (product)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- Mycel (product)
- RoAlpha (product)
- Microsoft Research (company)
- 3 Laws (company)
- Neuralink (company)
- Noland Arbo (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The State of Robotics in 2025: Live from the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, MA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-05-the-state-of-robotics-in-2025-live-from-the-robotics-summit-expo-in-boston-ma) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 72: Smart mobile robots for industry - Rafael Lopez](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-02-09-episode-72-smart-mobile-robots-for-industry-rafael-lopez) (Robot Talk)
- [Digital Twins and IoT for Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2022-06-09-digital-twins-and-iot-for-robotics) (Over the Air)
- [181: Leadership and Ethics in the Adoption of Robotics with Ryan Gariepy, CTO of Clearpath Robotics & OTTO Motors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-16-181-leadership-and-ethics-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-with-ryan-gariepy-cto-of-c) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Ep. 47 | Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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