Welcome to Episode 15 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, we talk to Daniel Theobald, Founder & CEO, Vecna Robotics. He’s also a founder of MassRobotics. We talk to Daniel about his passion for agriculture and how robotics are being used on his family’s farm in California. We also discuss with him the state of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), reasons why warehouse automation fails, how enabling technologies are making AMRs more efficient, and his work on interoperability standards.

Eugene and I also recap robotics investments and acquisitions from August 2020. There were 50 transactions worth a total of $2.3 billion in August, but Gene and I highlight the major deals and trends for the month.

We also preview this week’s RoboBusiness Direct discussion that airs September 10 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This week Ash Sharma, Managing Director, of Interact Analysis, will discuss the business value of autonomous mobile robots. He will dive into where the market is going and the reasons behind its current impressive growth rates. He will also provide insight into the short term and long term affects of COVID-19.

Eugene also recently chatted with Brady Watkins, SVP and GM, Softbank Robotics America. They discuss how Softbank got into the cleaning robotics business, Softbank’s teach and repeat models, how it ensures its Whizz cleaning robot provides value, robotics as a service, and what’s new with the Pepper humanoid robot. Brady also talks about the approach the Softbank Vision Fund takes when investing in robotics companies.

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-:33: Ad Read
:34-2:42: Show Intro
2:43-32:29: Conversation with Daniel Theobald, Founder & CEO, Vecna Robotics, and MassRobotics founder
32:30 -33:43 RoboBusiness Direct Preview
33:45 -41:27: August 2020 investments and acquisitions recap
41:28-1:05:35 Conversation with Brady Watkins, SVP and GM, Softbank Robotics America
1:05:36-1:07:57 Show Outro

Podcast Links
The Robot Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts |  SoundCloud | Spotify | Google Play
The Robot Report YouTube Channel
RoboBusiness Direct
August 2020 robotics investments continue to keep pace