Welcome to Episode 21 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 Dave Evans, Founder and CEO of Fictiv, a San Francisco-based company specializing in digital manufacturing. Dave discusses the importance of designing robots for manufacturability and how to overcome manufacturing and supply chain problems. Dave breaks down specific case studies about how Fictiv helped Hebi Robotics and Gecko Robotics.
Jibo social robot. (Credit: Jibo)
We also chat with Marc Alba, Senior Vice President, NTT and President of NTT Disruption. The company recently acquired the IP for the Jibo social robot, which has been on a roller coaster of a ride since it launched in 2014. Marc updates us the status of Jibo, the new direction in which the robot is headed, the role Microsoft is playing in the revival, and how consumers who own a Jibo will continue to be supported.
We preview this week’s RoboBusiness Direct discussion, which airs Oct. 22 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Dwight Meglan, Founder and CTO of HeartLander Surgical, will discuss various factors and strategies that are key to building a successful surgical robotics company. Meglan will be pulling from his experience working at five commercial surgical robotics startups.
Eugene and I also discuss the latest headlines, including Cruise removing safety drivers from its robotaxis in San Francisco, Tesla rolling out the beta version of its “full self-driving software”, and we recap Boston Dynamics’ Actuate event.
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.
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
:38-4:52: Show Intro
4:53-36:10: Conversation with Dave Evans, Founder & CEO, Fictiv
36:11-36:50: RoboBusiness Direct Preview
36:51 -55:01 News Recap: Cruise removing safety drivers, Tesla “self-driving”, recapping Boston Dynamics’ Actuate event
55:02-57:05 Fictiv’s Manufacturing Tip of the Week
57:06-1:34:31: Conversation with NTT Disruption’s Marc Alba about Jibo
1:34:32-1:35:14: Show Outro
Show Notes
Fictiv Website
Fictiv’s 2020 State of Manufacturing Report
Jibo Website
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