In Episode 180 of The Robot Report Podcast, editors Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre interview Chris Savoia, head of ecosystem success for the Americas at Universal Robots A/S. He discusses the evolution of collaborative robots, the importance of education and reskilling in automation, and recent advances in higher-payload robots and mobile manipulators.
Savoia also shares insights from his podcast, “Re-Automated,” and highlights the significance of Universal Robots‘ new Polyscope X platform for developers. He talks about the value proposition of connecting robots, the enhancements brought by MotionPlus, and the importance of cybersecurity in connected systems.
In addition, Savoia elaborates on the OptiMove feature that optimizes cobot control and the evolution of the UR+ ecosystem with new partnerships and offerings. He looks ahead to the future of robotics, emphasizing the potential growth in the industry and the effects of artificial intelligence.
Show timeline
- 6:15 – News of the week
- 15:33 – Interview with Chris Savoia, head of ecosystem success, Americas, UR
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News of the week
Humanoid news this week
Figure AI has successfully shipped its advanced humanoid robot, Figure 02, to a paying customer. While the identity of the customer remains undisclosed, it’s worth noting that BMW Group in August 2024 tested the humanoid at its South Carolina production plant. This trial assessed the robot’s capabilities in handling sheet-metal components.
Notably, BMW had also evaluated Figure AI’s earlier model, Figure 01. The successful delivery of Figure 02 demonstrates the growing commercial interest in the company’s technology, it said. Figure AI won a 2024 RBR50 award for its rapid pace of innovation. Since emerging from stealth in January 2023, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company has built and iterated on a working humanoid and tested its robot on a production line.
In a related story, OpenDroids has developed both single and dual-arm mobile manipulators. Open Droids exhibited at RoboBusiness, albeit without bringing a robot. It will be at CES in Las Vegas next week with the R1D1, a single-arm mobile manipulator. Podcast co-host Mike Oitzman will visit the company’s booth at CES for the “Best of CES” episode.
Zebra to acquire Photoneo Brightpick Group
Zebra Technologies has announced its intention to acquire the vision unit from Photoneo Brightpick Group. Following the acquisition, Photoneo Brightpick Group will rebrand itself as Brightpick and operate independently, concentrating on the development and deployment of AI-powered robots for warehouse automation.
Brightpick was recognized as the 2024 RBR50 Application of the Year winner. This acquisition builds upon Zebra‘s previous investments in robotics, including the $290 million acquisition of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider Fetch Robotics in 2021. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, and the companies said they anticipate finalizing the deal in the first quarter of 2025.
Catch our end-of-year recaps
If you missed it, we published several end-of-year review articles last week, including the biggest trends of 2024, our end-of-year review podcast episode, and a special article by industry luminary Eric Nieves. Be sure to check them out.
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