# Ed Mehr on Transforming Manufacturing at Machina Labs

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-13
- Length: 1h 03m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/ed-mehr-on-transforming

## Summary

Ed Mehr, co-founder and CEO of Machina Labs, explains the company's 'software-defined factory' concept, which uses robotic workcells called RoboCraftsman to perform sheet metal forming, trimming, and welding. He details how this flexible manufacturing model allows for instant product line switching, citing strategic partnerships with Toyota for customized automotive production and defense clients for missile airframes. The episode covers the transition from low-volume prototyping to scaling production in large facilities, emphasizing the integration of AI and sensor data to replicate human craftsmanship.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=9) Introduction: Autonomation World 2026 Recap
- [6:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=405) News of the Week: Robotics Industry Updates
- [25:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=1555) Introduction: Ed Mehr and Machina Labs
- [30:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=1838) Machina Labs Business Model and Facility Scaling
- [34:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=2082) RoboCraftsman Software and Adaptive Manufacturing
- [42:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=2534) Data Generation and Human-in-the-Loop AI
- [48:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=2910) Toyota Partnership and Mass Customization
- [52:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-03-13-ed-mehr-on-transforming-manufacturing-at-machina-labs#t=3159) International Expansion and Distributed Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Machina Labs (company)
- RoboCraftsman (product)
- Toyota (company)
- SpaceX (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Waymo (product)
- Zooks (product)
- Open AI (company)
- Anthropic (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Elite Robots (company)
- Teradyne Robotics (company)
- Unitree (company)
- Legum (company)
- MoMed (product)
- Atlas (product)
- Samsung (company)
- LG Electronics (company)
- Dusan (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 160: Robotic blacksmiths - Edward Mehr](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr) (Robot Talk)
- [150. Ed Mehr & Machina’s Robot Army Transform Manufacturing (Interview)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-11-28-150-ed-mehr-machinas-robot-army-transform-manufacturing-interview) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [118. Sheet Metal Forming Goes High-Tech with Robotics & AI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-04-18-118-sheet-metal-forming-goes-high-tech-with-robotics-ai) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Dylan Lundberg | Protolabs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-08-05-dylan-lundberg-protolabs) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

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