AutoStore on microfulfillment; Softbank distances itself from Pepper

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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.

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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.