The Robot Report Podcast

Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Dr. Jan Liphardt, Stanford bioengineering professor, founder of Open Mind and OM1, and a leading voice on the intersection of robotics, AI, and human-centric design. Discover how modular AI architectures, transparency, and real-world applications are shaping the next era of physical AI.

In this episode, Dr. Jan Liphardt discusses the transformative impact of modular AI systems on robotics, emphasizing the importance of transparency and safety in human-robot interactions.
He explores how robots are moving from sci-fi dreams to real-world applications, particularly in education and companionship.
Jan also highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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Listen for a special discount code to save money on your registration to the 2026 Robotics Summit and Expo: https://www.roboticssummit.com/
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Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

Editors Gene Demaitre from The Robot Report and Sarah Wynn from Packaging OEM spent the week walking the aisles of MODEX 2026.
In this episode, we learn about all of the interesting new products and automation solutions for packaging and warehouse logistics that they discovered this week at the show in Atlanta.
MODEX Show Highlights
- The Rise of Multi-Agent Orchestration: Discussion on the shift from isolated robotic pods to integrated systems where diverse robot types (AMRs, arms, and sorters) communicate seamlessly.
- Humanoid Robots in Logistics: A recap of the buzz surrounding humanoid deployments in warehouses, moving beyond prototypes to real-world pilot tests for trailer unloading and case picking.
- Heavy-Duty Automation: Analysis of new autonomous forklifts and reach trucks designed to handle pallet-scale movements in high-traffic distribution centers.
- Software Over Hardware: A key takeaway from the show floor was the industry's focus on "orchestration software"—the "brain" that manages fleet interoperability across different manufacturers.
Industry News & Strategic Shifts
- Skild AI & Fetch Robotics: Analysis of Skild AI's strategic acquisition of Fetch Robotics' assets from Zebra, signaling a move to put advanced AI "brains" into proven industrial "bodies."
- Gemini-Powered Spot: Insights into the Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind partnership, which uses multimodal AI to give the Spot robot advanced semantic understanding and natural language control.
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Listen for a special discount code to save money on your registration to the 2026 Robotics Summit and Expo: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

– SPONSOR –

Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

Our guest this week is Christian Pedersen, Chief Product Officer at IFS
In this conversation, Christian Pedersen, Chief Innovation Officer at IFS, discusses the company's focus on asset management and its evolution in the tech space. He highlights IFS's legacy in building asset maintenance software and its current leadership in enterprise asset management.
Pedersen emphasizes the integration of AI in optimizing scheduling and productivity, particularly for industries with heavy industrial assets. He discusses the shift from digital to physical AI, highlighting the role of robotics in enhancing productivity and addressing workforce challenges.
Pedersen also touches on the importance of integrating digital, human, and robotic workers in workflows and the potential of robots in asset management and maintenance. The conversation explores the future of AI and robotics in enterprise settings, emphasizing the need for collaboration between digital and physical systems to achieve an autonomous enterprise.
Learn more at: https://www.ifs.com/en
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Listen for a special discount code to save money on your registration to the 2026 Robotics Summit and Expo: https://www.roboticssummit.com/

– SPONSOR –

Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

Our guest this week is Chris Matthieu, VP of Developer Ecosystem for RealSense. The conversation with Matthieu primarily focuses on the future of RealSense products, the current state of the robotics market, and how Real Sense works with end users to iterate and evolve its product roadmap. Matthieu is also speaking at the 2026 Robotics Summit and Expo.
Follow Chris Matthieu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismatthieu/
Learn more about Real Sense: https://www.realsenseai.com/
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– SPONSOR –

Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/

Our guest this week is Arthur Erickson, CEO of Hylio, as he discusses the evolution and strategic direction of Hylio, an American drone company.
Erickson shares the company's journey from its inception at UT Austin, where it initially aimed to create a general-purpose industrial drone, to its current focus on agricultural applications.
Hylio has carved a niche in the agricultural drone market, competing against major Chinese brands by offering American-made drones that prioritize data security and customer support.
The discussion highlights the impact of geopolitical trends, such as the U.S. ban on foreign drones, which has spurred interest in Western-sourced drones.
Erickson also discusses the technological advancements in Hylio's drones, including AI integration for route planning and obstacle detection, and the company's expansion into other markets like solar farm maintenance and emergency response.
The conversation underscores Hylio's commitment to innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.
Learn more at: https://www.hyl.io/
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– SPONSOR –

Download the 2026 State of the Robotics Industry Report: https://www.therobotreport.com/state-of-robotics-industry-report-2026/