Putting Robots to Work with Boston Dynamics and Sarcos

TL;DR

Boston Dynamics and Sarcos discuss the challenges of bringing robotics to the market, including pilot testing, scaling for manufacturing, and customer integration.

Transcript

all right we have reached the final session of the day and this one is a doozy we have seen the demos and the viral videos but actually moving from research to the real world is its own complex journey the ceo of boston dynamics rob plato and ceo of sarcos kiva all good are here to talk with techcrunch's haya camps about the process of bringing the... Read More

Key Insights

• 😤 Scaling a robotics company requires expanding the team, establishing manufacturing capabilities, and shifting the engineering mindset from iteration to product delivery.
• 💪 The shift to delivering products to customers requires a stronger focus on reliability, customer support, and design for servicing.
• 👾 Surprising applications for robots include safety inspections in hazardous environments, power equipment maintenance, and exploring dangerous spaces for law enforcement.
• 🥺 Supply chain disruptions have impacted the industry, leading to increased costs and longer lead times for materials.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main challenges in moving from research to the real-world implementation of robotics?

The challenges include scaling up the team, establishing reliable manufacturing and supply chain processes, and shifting the engineering mindset from continuous iteration to building and delivering products.

Q: How do you ensure customer success with your robots?

Providing robust customer support is crucial, including diagnostic tools, training programs, and design for servicing. The goal is to enable customers to be self-supportive while ensuring the product's reliability and ease of use.

Q: What are some surprising applications for your robots?

Boston Dynamics has seen its robots being used for nuclear power plant inspections, power disconnects in high-voltage equipment, and exploring dangerous environments for law enforcement. Sarcos' robots are being used for tasks such as tree trimming, construction at heights, and aviation maintenance during lightning storms.

Q: How has the supply chain challenges affected your companies?

Both companies have faced supply chain disruptions, resulting in higher costs and longer lead times for materials. However, the increasing demand for robotic solutions and a shifting job market have opened up new opportunities for adoption.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Boston Dynamics and Sarcos are working on robotics products that have real-world applications, such as exoskeletons and mobile robots for industrial inspections and logistics.

• Scaling up a robotics company involves expanding the team, building operational infrastructure, and focusing on reliability and customer support.

• Both companies are seeing surprising and diverse applications for their robots, including safety inspections in dangerous environments and replacing human workers in risky or physically demanding tasks.