The Mobile Robot Podcast

Show Description:

This weekly podcast features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, technology leaders and luminaries in the mobile robotics industry. If you love autonomous mobile robots as much as we do, then this is your weekly fix of inspiring stories about where this market is headed.

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Kenneth Henriksen, Chief Commercial Officer for Nord Modules. Nord produces top modules or payload solutions for MiR robots.

During the show this week, we learn about Nord's business model and how they have developed into one of the leading channel partners for MiR.

Links to items mentioned in the show:

Nord Modules - https://nord-modules.com/

MiR Robotics - https://www.mobile-industrial-robots.com/en/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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Show Description:

This weekly podcast features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, technology leaders and luminaries in the mobile robotics industry. If you love autonomous mobile robots as much as we do, then this is your weekly fix of inspiring stories about where this market is headed.

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Karen Leavitt, Chief Marketing Officer at Locus Robotics. Locus recently closed their $150M series E funding round, and they passed several milestones during the last 12 months. The growth in e-commerce has had a positive effect on Locus's business. Karen discusses some of the things that have made Locus a market leader in person-to-goods automation for warehouses and 3PL applications.

Links to items mentioned in the show:

Locus Robotics - https://locusrobotics.com/

Locus Robotics Careers - https://locusrobotics.com/about-us/careers/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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Show Description:

This weekly podcast features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, technology leaders and luminaries in the mobile robotics industry. If you love autonomous mobile robots as much as we do, then this is your weekly fix of inspiring stories about where this market is headed.

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Melonee Wise, CEO of Fetch Robotics. Melonee was one of the contributors to the recently released RIA R15.08 autonomous mobile robot safety standard. In part two of our series on mobile robot safety, Melonee brings her point of view as a vendor developing solutions that comply with the R15.08 standard. Melanee has been a part of this industry since its inception and she also talks about what it takes to develop a complete AMR-based solution.

Links to items mentioned in the show:

Fetch Robotics - https://fetchrobotics.com/

R15.08 Webinar Registration

ANSI/RIA R15.08-1-2020 – American National Standard for Industrial Mobile Robots – Safety Requirements – Part 1: Requirements for the Industrial Mobile Robot - https://www.robotics.org/robotics/ansi-ria-r15-08-1-2020

Purchase a copy of R15.08 $225 - https://www.robotics.org/bookstore-prod.cfm?category_id=118&product_id=453

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Carole Franklin, Director of Standards Development for the RIA. Carole leads all of the standards committee work sponsored by the RIA and is intimately familiar with what it takes to bring a new standard to the market. During the podcast, Mike and Carole discuss the standards development process at the RIA and specifically, the features of the newly adopted R15.08 standard for industrial mobile robots.

ANSI/RIA R15.08-1-2020 – American National Standard for Industrial Mobile Robots – Safety Requirements – Part 1: Requirements for the Industrial Mobile Robot -

Purchase a copy of R15.08 $225 - https://www.robotics.org/bookstore-prod.cfm?category_id=118&product_id=453

ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012 - American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems- Safety Requirements

ISO 10218-1:2011 - Robots and robotic devices — Safety requirements for industrial robots — Part 1: Robots

B56.5 Safety Standard for Driverless, Automatic Guided Industrial Vehicles and Automated Functions of Manned Industrial Vehicles EFFECTIVE 08/12/20

RIA Website - Robotics Industry of America -

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Information (A3). A3 is now the preferred name for the umbrella organization that Jeff leads and includes some familiar organizations such as the Robotics Industry of America (RIA), Automated Imaging Association (AIA) and the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). A3 produces educational webinars & trade shows, and sponsors safety protocol development across the automation market. The organization primarily focuses on the North America market, including Canada, The United States and Mexico.

During the show, Jeff and Mike talk about 2020 market data for robotics in North America and the future for growth in automation in North America. Jeff also provides his perspective about live events during the pandemic and the road ahead for live events in 2021 and into the future. A3 made the decision to move all of their events in 2020 to virtual events and they have pushed their next live event out to 2022.

Links to items mentioned in the show:

Association for Advancing Automation

Robotics Industry of America

Association For Vision Information

Motion Control & Motor Association

Reshoring Initiative

Automate Forward Event (March 22-26, 2021)

A3 Business Forum

ARTICLE: Industry Trends and Market Potential – What’s Next?

ARTICLE: For First Time on Record, Yearly Non-Automotive Robotic Orders Higher Than Automotive Orders

Tradeshow Technology:

A3 is moving to the 6Connex trade show platform: https://www.6connex.com/

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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This weekly podcast features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, technology leaders and luminaries in the mobile robotics industry. If you love autonomous mobile robots as much as we do, then this is your weekly fix of inspiring stories about where this market is headed.

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews Kindred AI CEO, Marin Tchakarov. Kindred AI delivers AI-powered, piece-picking robots designed for e-commerce order fulfillment. Kindred’s solutions combine AI with advanced robotics and a full suite of integration and support services to ensure optimum performance over the long term. Kindred AI was acquired by British-based Ocado Systems in November, 2020. During the interview, Mike and Marin discuss the acquisition and the impact to Kindred's roadmap and technology.

You can find Kindred AI on the web at https://www.kindred.ai/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

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This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews AVA Robotics Co-Founder and VP of Product, Marcio Macedo. Ava Robotics spun out of iRobot in 2016 to produce a commercial telepresence robot. The company now has a relationship with Cisco and leverages WEBEX as its core communication solution in the telepresence robot. The company recently launched a new UV Disinfection solution with the autonomous mobile base borrowed from their telepresence robot. During the interview, Marcio takes us through the history of the company and their current business.

You can find Ava Robotics on the web at https://www.avarobotics.com/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is also sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find out more at https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

The New Warehouse Podcast
The new Warehouse Podcast by Kevin Lawton delivers insights and ideas for warehouse management.

The Mobile Robot Guide
The ultimate resource for news, information and buying advice for autonomous mobile robots.

Wiferion
Industrial wireless battery charging for AGV, AMR, industrial trucks and forklifts.

SICK Sensor Intelligence
LiDAR software uses data from safety laser scanners as a supplement to other guidance technologies

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This weekly podcast features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, technology leaders and luminaries in the mobile robotics industry. If you love autonomous mobile robots as much as we do, then this is your weekly fix of inspiring stories about where this market is headed.

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews GoBe Robots CEO, Peter Juhl Voldsgaard. GoBe robots is a new company, however they are not new to service robotics and the telepresence robotics market. The core team at GoBe Robots has been deploying Suitable Technologies Beam telepresence robots for more than a decade. In the episode, we learn about the history of GoGe Robotics and how the company arrived at this point.

You can find GoBe Robots on the web at https://www.gobe-robots.com/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

The New Warehouse Podcast
The new Warehouse Podcast by Kevin Lawton delivers insights and ideas for warehouse management.

Wiferion
Industrial wireless battery charging for AGV, AMR, industrial trucks and forklifts.

SICK Sensor Intelligence
LiDAR software uses data from safety laser scanners as a supplement to other guidance technologies

View Details

Show Description:

This week, host Mike Oitzman interviews UBTECH Americas GM, John Rhee.

Mike and John discuss the recent announcement at CES 2021, where UBTECH launched their new UV-C Disinfection robots. UBTECH is a leading consumer robotics manufacturer, with a number of popular STEM-based robotics learning solutions. UBTECH also has an industrial and social robotics business.

During the podcast, John Rhee introduces us to some of the the technical features of the disinfection robots, outlines the pricing model and discusses how UBTECH is taking this solution to market in the Americas

You can read the recent news on The Mobile Robot Guide:

UBTECH Launches New ADIBOT UV Disinfection Solution (January 11, 2021)
UBTECH Announces New Line Of Material Handling AMRs (January 11, 2021)

To learn more about UBTECH: https://www.ubtrobot.com

To learn more about CES2021 this week: https://ces.tech/

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solutio

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is sponsored by SICK. You'll find SICK solutions on a majority of the autonomous mobile robots in production today. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You likely know by now that a LIDAR sensor is state of the art for mobile robot navigation and obstacle avoidance. SO - If you are building a new mobile robot, then you need to take a deep look at the sensors offered by SICK. If you are buying a mobile robot, then be sure to ask what brand of sensors are built into the robot. You'll also find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find our more at: https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.

The Mobile Robot Guide
The ultimate resource for news, information and buying advice for autonomous mobile robots.

Wiferion
Industrial wireless battery charging for AGV, AMR, industrial trucks and forklifts.

Get Crystal Clear Audio with Krisp
We've starting using Krisp plugin to help clean up the audio during our podcast interviews.

SICK Sensor Intelligence
LiDAR software uses data from safety laser scanners as a supplement to other guidance technologies

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This week, host Mike Oitzman reviews his top 5 predictions for the autonomous mobile robotic market for 2021. This includes the trends that he thinks will be noteworthy over the next year.

Mike also finishes his conversation from last weeks episode with Steve Crowe from The Robot Report. Steve and Mike discuss their predictions for 2021 and set the stage for an interesting year ahead for mobile robotics.

If you like to read more about Mike's predictions for 2021, you can view the article here.

You can find The Robot Report on the web at https://www.therobotreport.com/

You can find The Robot Report Podcast on your favorite podcast app or smart speaker.

The podcast is sponsored this week by The Mobile Robot Guide (https://mobilerobotguide.com/), where you can find all of the latest news and information about mobile robots. The Mobile Robot Guide also publishes monthly Buyers Guides that provide you with complete product specifications and buying advice if you are in the market for a new mobile robotic solution.

This episode of the Mobile Robot Podcast is sponsored by SICK. SICK has been around for more than 70 years and they are one of the most trusted industrial sensor brands in the world. You'll find SICK sensors in use in applications such as light curtains for robotic safety barriers, proximity sensors in manufacturing and in barcode scanning applications across a number of logistics processes. With more than 70,000 products, there is a SICK sensor for all of your industrial applications. Find our more at: https://sickusablog.com/keeping-automated-vehicles-track-2d-lidar-localization/

The podcast is also sponsored this week by Wiferion. Wiferion is the leading solution provider for the mobile, wireless power supply of electric industrial vehicles. The inductive battery charging system of the etaLINK series charges fast and safe, fully automatic without contacts. The compactness and efficiency of 93% is unparalleled in its class. Find out more at https://www.wiferion.com/

The podcast is also brought to you by Krisp audio filters. Krisp AI automatically removes background noise on your Zoom call or teleconference software in real-time. Please use our link to down and start a free trial: https://krisp.ai/get-krisp-now/?ref=mobilerobot

Once again, please subscribe and "LIKE" the podcast on your favorite podcast app. This will help us out tremendously.

The New Warehouse Podcast
The new Warehouse Podcast by Kevin Lawton delivers insights and ideas for warehouse management.

The Mobile Robot Guide
The ultimate resource for news, information and buying advice for autonomous mobile robots.

Wiferion
Industrial wireless battery charging for AGV, AMR, industrial trucks and forklifts.

Get Crystal Clear Audio with Krisp
We've starting using Krisp plugin to help clean up the audio during our podcast interviews.

SICK Sensor Intelligence
LiDAR software uses data from safety laser scanners as a supplement to other guidance technologies

View Details

This week, host Mike Oitzman reviews the top mobile robot stories of 2020 with Steve Crowe, editor of The Robot Report.

Steve is also the host of the podcast: The Robot Report Podcast, a weekly interview show that covers anything that "senses, thinks and moves".

This is a long show, so here's a topic index of the show so that you can fast forward to a section of interest:

Time Topic

07:50 Steve Crowe reviews his favorite news stories from the year.

13:15 Discussion about disinfection robotics

17:20 Discussion about tele-presence robotics and it's viability as an application

20:37 Steve and Mike discuss the impact to industrial in-person trade shows in 2020

25:58 The impact of the pandemic on remote deployment and remote interactions with customers

34:30 A review with Steve about robotic investments in 2020

35:10 LiDAR and sensing investments

40:15 Mike wraps up his review of 2020 going over some of the investment numbers from the year. You can find the compete story and review of the investments from 2020 on The Mobile Robot Guide website. Link: https://mobilerobotguide.com/2020/12/30/the-year-in-review-2020/

Tune in next week for the second half of the interview with Steve Crowe, when Mike and Steve discuss their predictions and look ahead to 2021.