Hardware Podcasts

How Path Robotics uses AI to optimize robotic welding

The Robot Report Podcast · 10 Jul 2026 · 1h 16m

AI in practice: one real use of AI described

What this episode covers

Andy Lonsberry, CEO and co-founder of Path Robotics, explains how his company uses AI, specifically reinforcement learning and real-time visual feedback, to make robotic welding adaptive and capable of handling complex, non-repeatable industrial environments. He details the development of 'Obsidian,' a neural simulator that allows robots to weld with high first-pass yields without relying on perfect CAD models, and discusses the launch of 'Rove,' a mobile welding platform built on Boston Dynamics' Spot quadruped for shipbuilding and construction. Lonsberry also outlines Path Robotics' 'Robotics as a Service' business model, which delivers welding outcomes rather than just hardware, and notes the company's recent Series D2 funding and rapid scaling.

AI in practice

Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.

ManufacturingObsidian

Path Robotics uses its AI model Obsidian to generate adaptive welding paths and control robot motion in real-time based on visual feedback, allowing mobile robots to weld large, variable parts like ship hulls without pre-programmed fixed paths.

“We make a neural network that simulates the physics of welding. … inside of that model, we train a reinforcement learning agent … we deploy obsidian, and that model is basically the system at the edge of the of our robots. It's taking in the data on that per part basis and making all the choices around every single welding parameter…”

Andy Lonsberry · Hear it at 41:11

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Path Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Tiger Data
Products
Spot, Obsidian, Rove, Unitree G1, Da Vinci, Digit, TimescaleDB

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