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AutoStore on microfulfillment; Softbank distances itself from Pepper

By Steve Crowe | June 30, 2021

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Welcome to Episode 46 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.

You can subscribe to The Robot Report Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, SoundCloud, Spotify and more. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review!

This episode of the podcast discussed the layoffs and new direction for Softbank’s robotics efforts. Since we recorded, however, the news has become worse for the Pepper humanoid robot. Softbank reportedly stopped production of Pepper back in 2020. Softbank, which manufactured 27,000 Pepper robots since it was introduced in 2014, is focusing more on its Whiz cleaning robot and others that’ll have more commercial and financial success.

Mike Oitzman also has two great interviews for the podcast. The first is with Jason dePreaux, a market analyst for Interact Analysis, one of the leading analysis firms covering the robotics industry. Mike and Jason discuss the robotics industry services market and why it’s vital to both robotics manufacturers and customers.

Mike also sat down with Mike Demko, head of AutoStore’s micro-fulfillment center business line. AutoStore is a leading provider of AS/RS systems. The 2021 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winner recently sold a 40% stake in its business to Softbank for $2.8 billion. The Norwegian robotics firm is now reportedly eyeing an IPO at a $10 billion valuation. To view the complete list of RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winners, click here.

We also introduce the new Robotics Week program that consists of three digital events. Each event runs over the course of one week, focused on key robotics issues and enabling technologies.

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 me. For sponsorship opportunities of The Robot Report Podcast, contact Courtney Nagle for more information.

Show notes

  • RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards
  • Report: Softbank stopped production of Pepper robot in 2020
  • Dusty Robotics Raises $16.5M in Series A Funding
  • Warehouse Automation Service – May 2021
  • Robotics Week

About The Author

Steve Crowe

Steve Crowe is Editorial Director, Robotics, WTWH Media, and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He joined WTWH Media in January 2018 after spending four-plus years as Managing Editor of Robotics Trends Media. He can be reached at [email protected]

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  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
    • Security
  • Financial
    • Investments
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Earnings
  • Resources
    • Careers
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50 Winners 2022
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
    • Leave a voicemail