In Episode 199 of The Robot Report Podcast, our guest is Cam Myers, founder and CEO of CreateMe Technologies, who discusses the innovative application of robotics and adhesive technology in garment production.
Myers shares insights on the challenges faced in automating clothing manufacturing, the benefits of using adhesives over traditional sewing methods, and the potential for reshoring production in response to changing tariffs. The discussion also explores the future trajectory of his company, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and the importance of adapting to evolving consumer demands.
Editor’s note: This interview with Myers about CreateMe is the first episode where we’re also publishing the video interview on our YouTube channel.
Show timeline
- 5:20 – Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman review the news of the week
- 20:00 – Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre interview Cam Myers, CEO of CreateMe
News of the week
Aldebaran, maker of Pepper and Nao robots, put in receivership
Aldebaran, the producer of the Nao and Pepper humanoid robots, reportedly filed for bankruptcy in mid-February and has laid off much of its staff as it looks for another buyer.
Founded in 2005, the French company released the Nao system for educational and development use in 2007. It eventually sold 20,000 units. SoftBank Group acquired Aldebaran for $100 million in 2012 and rebranded it as SoftBank Robotics Europe.
The taller Romeo robot was created in 2009 for household use but never made it to market. Still, Nao and Pepper became highly visible ambassadors of humanoid robotics before the recent AI-enabled wave.
Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of Japan’s SoftBank Group, introduced Pepper on stage in 2014. The wheeled humanoid was intended for customer-service and hospitality roles. The company sold 17,000 units but stopped production in 2021 because of weak demand.
In 2022, Germany-based United Robotics Group acquired SoftBank Robotics Europe, which was rebranded back to Aldebaran. It still lost $38 million in its fiscal year 2019 to 2020 and more than $119 million over the past three years.
Congressional Robotics Caucus relaunches to help U.S. industry
While the U.S. does not have a centralized industrial policy, various stakeholders have worked to elevate the priority of robotics. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) recently announced the relaunch of the Congressional Robotics Caucus. McGovern will serve as co-chair of the caucus with Representatives Bob Latta (R-OH), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA).
Since 2007, the advisory body of the U.S. House of Representatives has served as a bipartisan effort. It has provided a forum to present and discuss issues around robotics, worked to increase awareness among members of Congress about robotics research and industry, and promoted U.S. economic competitiveness.
The Congressional Robotics Caucus had not convened formally since 2019, according to Henrik Christensen, the Qualcomm Chancellor’s Chair of Robot Systems and a distinguished professor of computer science at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UC San Diego. He is also the main editor of “A Roadmap for U.S. Robotics.”
Amazon trains humanoids to deliver packages
The Information reported last week that Amazon is developing AI software that will enable humanoid robots to take packages from Rivian electric vans to customers’ doorsteps. The Verge and Silicon Valley followed in coverage, noting that Amazon has launched an agentic AI team to train robots to operate in its distribution and logistics hubs.
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