# Robot development from Actuators to AI

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-02-06
- Length: 1h 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/robot-development-from

## Summary

Mario Mauerer, Global Robotics Business Manager at Maxon, discusses how humanoid robots are driving actuator innovation, focusing on torque density, simulation models, and safety architectures for commercialization by 2027-2028. David Koelle, Principal Software Engineer at Charles River Analytics, details the NASA ASTRA project, explaining their 'theory of mind' approach to swarm robotics for lunar exploration, which allows heterogeneous robots to coordinate tasks without constant communication. The episode also covers recent industry funding rounds for companies like Waymo and Limox Dynamics, and new US legislation aimed at securing the humanoid supply chain.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=7) Introduction: Podcast Hosts and Industry News
- [15:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=920) Introduction: Mario Mauerer and Maxon
- [16:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=1006) Maxon's Actuator Strategy for Humanoids
- [20:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=1243) Innovation: Torque Density, Simulation, and Safety
- [27:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=1666) End Effectors: Hands vs. Simple Grippers
- [33:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=2036) Introduction: David Koelle and Charles River Analytics
- [42:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=2551) NASA ASTRA Project: Swarm Autonomy and Theory of Mind
- [58:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=3486) ASTRA Simulation and Physical Testing
- [1:04:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=3868) Human-Centered AI and Expertise
- [1:11:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai#t=4288) David Koelle's JFugue Music Programming API

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Maxon (company)
- Charles River Analytics (company)
- NASA (company)
- ASTRA (product)
- Waymo (company)
- Limox Dynamics (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Optimus (product)
- Neuralink (company)
- JFugue (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [74. Robots Working on the Moon and in Warehouses](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-14-74-robots-working-on-the-moon-and-in-warehouses) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [191: The State of Robotics: Live From the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, MA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-06-25-191-the-state-of-robotics-live-from-the-2024-robotics-summit-expo-in-boston-ma) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [The AI Arms Race, Pelosi Act, BMW’s Robotics Shift & Apple’s Comeback?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-05-01-the-ai-arms-race-pelosi-act-bmws-robotics-shift-apples-comeback) (Built 2 Scale)
- [103. Ant Inspired Swarm Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-01-03-103-ant-inspired-swarm-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Vision Mode: Agency Over Intelligence | Ep. 29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-11-06-vision-mode-agency-over-intelligence-ep-29) (Built 2 Scale)

## 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/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai. 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.