In Episode 186 of The Robot Report Podcast, co-hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre interview Mark Messina, the new managing director and CEO of ANSCER Robotics America.
Mark Messina, managing director and CEO, ANSCER Americas
Messina discusses his journey in the robotics industry, including Kiva, Amazon Robotics, Geek+, and Addverb. He also explains the vision and technology behind ANSCER Robotics and its approach to market differentiation.
In addition, Messina emphasizes the importance of building valuable products, the challenges of a saturated market, and his personal goals in leading the company.
The conversation also touches on ANSCER Robotics’ operational strategies, including the importance of having a frugal approach, and the robotics sector’s potential for growth amid trade and other challenges.
Show timeline
- 6:50 – News of the week
- 23:44 – Mark Messina, managing director and CEO of ANSCER Americas
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News of the week
RightHand Robotics receives investment from Rockwell Automation
RightHand Robotics has secured a strategic investment from industrial automation giant Rockwell Automation, though financial specifics remain undisclosed. This investment followed a 2024 operational restructuring and the reappointment of co-founder Yaro Tenzer as CEO. He is tasked with expanding the automation supplier’s presence across Europe and North America.
The company said the credibility from Rockwell’s investment will facilitate the scaling of its RightPick 4 technology. It uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and sophisticated robotic grippers to pick diverse items, regardless of shape or size, across various logistics workflows.
In other funding news:
- CaPow raised $15 million to power global expansion of robot charging. The podcast interviewed Mor Peretz, co-founder and CEO of CaPow, back in Episode 132.
- Viam obtained $30 million to scale robotics development platform. This followed a $45 million round in March 2024.
- Aescape picked up about $80 million for its massage robots.
ABB Robotics survey predicts EV production growth in 2025
ABB Robotics‘ latest Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey revealed a generally optimistic view of electric vehicle (EV) growth among industry leaders and suppliers for 2025, with a significant majority predicting increases. Specifically, 75% of the 434 respondents said they anticipate EV output to rise, with 31% projecting growth exceeding 10%, and 44% expecting up to a 10% increase.
However, despite this positive short-term outlook, skepticism regarding the feasibility of achieving 100% EV production by regional deadlines between 2030 and 2040 has grown, with 31% now deeming it impossible, up from 27% the previous year and 18% in 2022, resulting in a total of 65% expressing doubt about meeting those ambitious targets.
New humanoid video from Boston Dynamics
A recent video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the development and training of a humanoid robot, showing its construction, maintenance, and programming, particularly focusing on sequencing strategies for automotive part assembly. Notable moments included Boston Dynamics‘ problem-solving approach when Atlas failed to put a cover into a bin.
This demonstrated the robot’s ability to recalibrate and adjust its actions with an extra push for success. The video also showed Atlas’ ability to rotate its torso and how it could flexibly adapt to various tasks in human-centric environments.
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