Welcome to Episode 28 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.

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This week, fellow editor Steve Crowe and I chat with returning guest Michael Patrick Perry, vice president for business development at Boston Dynamics, about the commercialization of the Spot quadruped robot. We also discuss the company’s other robots and its recent acquisition by Hyundai Motor Group.

In addition, Steve and I examine the prospects for Boston Dynamics, which has had three owners in seven years — Google, SoftBank, and now Hyundai. The Waltham, Mass.-based company plans to release a gripper for its legged robot next year.

Dr. Timothy Chung, program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) joins us to discuss the recently completed Virtual Cave Circuit of the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. We talk about lessons learned in the various circuits so far, the creation of a simulated environment, and how the competitors used robots and drones. Chung also looks ahead to 2021’s final DARPA SubT circuit and applications for these new technologies.

Finally, Steve and I continue our look back at 2020 and peek ahead to 2021. We’re grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and, most of all, our listeners for a great first year of this podcast!

If you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the podcast, or if you have recommendations for future guests or segment ideas, contact Steve or Eugene. For sponsorship opportunities of The Robot Report Podcast, contact Courtney Nagle for more information.

Podcast timestamps

• 0-6:49: Show intro
• 6:50-46:55: Conversation with Michael Patrick Perry, VP of business development, Boston Dynamics
• 46:56-1:21:23: Conversation with Dr. Timothy Chung, program manager for the DARPA Subterranean Challenge
• 1:21:24-1:28:18: Show outro and end-of-year thoughts

Show notes

• It’s official: Boston Dynamics is joining Hyundai
• Coordinated Robotics wins Cave Circuit Virtual Competition in DARPA SubT Challenge
• Best week ever for robotaxis?
• Coverage of mobile manipulation