# From Teach-and-Repeat to SelfPath AI: The next robotics leap

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-08-28
- Length: 1h 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/from-teach-and-repeat-to

## Summary

John Black, CTO of Brain Corp, explains how the company scaled its autonomous mobile robot fleet to over 50,000 units and evolved its Brain OS platform from simple teach-and-repeat navigation to the AI-driven Self-Path system. He details the engineering challenges of deploying robots in public spaces, the strategic value of OEM partnerships with companies like Tennant and Walmart, and the transition from cleaning robots to inventory intelligence and manipulation via Project Braun.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=0) News: Humanoid Robots, Unitree, and Nvidia Jetson
- [25:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=1547) Brain Corp's Scale and Data Advantage
- [32:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=1979) Brain OS Platform Evolution and Safety
- [41:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=2482) Public Space Challenges and Guardrails
- [53:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=3202) Self-Path AI and Autonomous Route Generation
- [1:00:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-08-28-from-teach-and-repeat-to-selfpath-ai-the-next-robotics-leap#t=3622) Orchestration, OEM Partnerships, and Project Braun

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Brain Corp (company)
- Brain OS (product)
- Self-Path AI (product)
- Tennant (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Unitree (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- Jetson Orin Nano 2 (chip)
- Symbolic (company)
- Project Braun (product)
- Generalist (company)
- Xpeng (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Rise Of Retail Robots With Simbe Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-10-the-rise-of-retail-robots-with-simbe-robotics) (Over the Air)
- [Episode 149: Robot safety and security - Krystal Mattich](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-03-20-episode-149-robot-safety-and-security-krystal-mattich) (Robot Talk)
- [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)
- [Autonomous Cleaning Revolution With Austin Deric](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-10-31-autonomous-cleaning-revolution-with-austin-deric) (Over the Air)
- [172: How To Stay Focused on Your Mission and Deliver Robotic Solutions at Scale with Rapid Robotics CEO & Co-Founder Jordan Kretchmer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-02-13-172-how-to-stay-focused-on-your-mission-and-deliver-robotic-solutions-at-scale-w) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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