# How Path Robotics uses AI to optimize robotic welding

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-07-10
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=0) Introduction and News: Humanoid Surgery and Agility Robotics
- [35:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=2139) Path Robotics Founding Story and Welding Market Context
- [41:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=2471) AI Architecture: Reinforcement Learning and the Obsidian Model
- [47:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=2827) Rove: Mobile Welding on Boston Dynamics Spot for Shipbuilding
- [52:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=3146) Technical Challenges: Stability, Visual Servoing, and CAD Integration
- [1:03:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-07-10-how-path-robotics-uses-ai-to-optimize-robotic-welding#t=3805) Business Model: Robotics as a Service and Series D2 Funding

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Path Robotics (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Spot (product)
- Obsidian (product)
- Rove (product)
- Unitree G1 (product)
- Da Vinci (product)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Digit (product)
- Tiger Data (company)
- TimescaleDB (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Perspectives on Automation, AI, & the Future w/ Andy Lonsberry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-08-perspectives-on-automation-ai-the-future-w-andy-lonsberry) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Cars, Welding Robots, and Midwest Startups with Path Robotic's Sheena Patterson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-08-cars-welding-robots-and-midwest-startups-with-path-robotics-sheena-patterson) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [231: Why VCs and Startups Are Betting on Manufacturing and the Midwest Featuring Drive Capital and Path Robotics, Live from Columbus, OH](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-04-15-231-why-vcs-and-startups-are-betting-on-manufacturing-and-the-midwest-featuring) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 160: Robotic blacksmiths - Edward Mehr](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr) (Robot Talk)
- [183: A Case Study in the Adoption of Robotics Featuring Rob Goldiez (CEO of Hirebotics) and Justin Montes (CEO of DeAngelo Marine Exhaust)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-30-183-a-case-study-in-the-adoption-of-robotics-featuring-rob-goldiez-ceo-of-hirebo) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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