Welcome to Episode 8 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us every Wednesday for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.

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This week Gene and I talk with Erik Nieves, co-founder and CEO of Plus One Robotics. The San Antonio-based developer of vision software for logistics robots, recently deployed four systems in the small-package sorting area of FedEx’s Memphis Hub. Nieves discusses the challenges of developing such vision software, how FedEx is taking advantage of Plus One’s human-in-the-loop approach, why robotics-as-a-service might not be the correct sales approach for logistics customers and when we’ll see lights-out warehouses.

We also chat with Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics, an RBR50 company. Tom fills us in on the latest goings-on with the Massachusetts robotics cluster, how MassRobotics continues to attract startups, the virtual fundraising landscape, and how startups are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gene and I also recap some recent headlines, including Waymo and Fiat signing an exclusive partnership this morning, the expanded tests of Amazon’s Scout delivery robot, Dexterity coming out of stealth with a $56M Series A and more.

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
0-2:48 – Show Intro
2:48-36:10 – Conversation with Erik Nieves, co-founder & CEO, Plus One Robotics
36:10-48:10 – Recapping the News
48:11-1:15:28 – Conversation with Tom Ryden, executive director, MassRobotics
1:15:29-1:15:52 – Show Outro

Podcast Links
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The Robot Report YouTube Channel
Dexterity merges from stealth with $56M in funding for full stack robotic picking
Amazon Scout robotic deliveries extend to 2 Southern U.S. cities
Aurora expands testing of autonomous vehicles into Texas