Welcome to Episode 20 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us every week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.

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This week we’re joined by Tessa Lau, founder and CEO of Dusty Robotics, a Mountain View, Calif.-based startup developing robots for the construction industry. Tessa updates us on the progression of Dusty’s FieldPrinter building layout robot. She discusses how the company pivoted away from its initial product idea, FieldPrinter’s custom localization, mapping and navigation technology, building relationships with builders, and scaling its field operations team.

We also chat with Bert Swift and Blair Lock, co-founder and CEO of Coapt, about the state of robotic prosthetics. Bert, who lost an arm to childhood cancer, shares his story about how a robotic prosthetic has changed his life.

We preview this week’s RoboBusiness Direct discussions, which air Oct. 15 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Harmonic Drive kicks things off at 2 p.m. with a look at how an actuator’s design can be more of a significant enabler in robotic development. Kollmorgen’s Tom Wood will follow up that session at 3:00 p.m. with a discussion about how to quickly identify the right motor technology to integrate with your Harmonic Drive gearbox. (Both talks will be available on-demand after broadcast.)

Eugene and I also discuss the latest headlines, including Waymo re-starting and expanding its driverless robotaxi service around Phoenix, a Georgia man being arrested for shooting down a utility company’s drone, and a new semi-autonomous robot for colonoscopies in development at the University of Leeds.What’s next for Waymo’s robotaxis.

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This episode of The Robot Report Podcast is brought to you by Fictiv. Fictiv’s Digital Manufacturing Ecosystem is transforming how the next rockets, self driving cars, and life-saving robots are designed, developed, and delivered to customers around the world. This transformation is made possible through the company’s technology-backed platform, its partnerships with the highest-quality small and large manufacturers around the globe, and its people with deep expertise in hardware and software development.

In the last 6+ years, Fictiv has manufactured over 10 million parts for early stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate with agility and get to market faster. To learn more, visit Fictiv’s website.

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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-:37 Ad Read
:38-4:07: Show Intro
4:08-32:05: Conversation with Tessa Lau, founder and CEO, Dusty Robotics
32:06-34:12: Fictiv’s Manufacturing Tip of the Week
34:13-48:25: News Recap – Waymo expands driverless robotaxi service, biggest threat to commercial drones, semi-autonomous colonoscopy robot
48:26-49:10: RoboBusiness Direct Preview
49:11-1:39:01 – Conversation about robotic prosthetics with Bert Swift and Blair Locke, co-founder and CEO of Coapt
1:39:02 -1:39:46: Show Outro

Show Notes
Dusty Robotics
Coapt re-engineers, upgrades control system for prosthetic arms
Waymo driverless robotaxi service expanding in Phoenix
Scientists develop robot-assisted, semi-autonomous colonoscopy
Georgia man arrested for shooting down utility company drone
Self-Driving Cars – Look Reddit, No Hands!