The Robot Report Podcast & middot; The Road Ahead for Robotics: Insights from Motional’& rsquo; s Major and Foundation & rsquo; s PathakEpisode 201 of The Robot Report Podcast features visitors Laura Major, recently called CEO of robotaxi company Motional, and Sankaet Pathek, founder and CEO of just recently decloaked humanoid robotic designer Foundation.Co-host Mike Oitzman interviews Major about Motional’& rsquo; s advances in autonomous lorry (AV) innovation.
She talks about the business‘& lsquo; s concentrate on artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence, stressing the shift from technical to organization leadership.Motional has actually carried out pilot screening in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh, focusing on varied environments to boost its AI’& rsquo; s generalizability.
Major also highlights the significance of integrating simulation with real-world testing.Motional’& rsquo; s AVs used the Ionic 5 electrical platform for efficiency.
It has a strong security record, without any at-fault mishaps over 2 million miles.
Regulatory structures differ by state, however the business has actually teamed up with regional and state authorities to improve deployment.Watch the video interview with Major on our YouTube channel: Pathek goes over the objective and vision behind Foundation.
He shares insights with editors Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre into his background, difficulties and opportunities in the robotics market, and the innovations being established at his company.In addition, Pathek explains the significance of developing a capable group, why Foundation is focusing on useful applications of humanoids, and the developments that distinguish Foundation from competitors.He also discusses the integration of AI, safety considerations, and the obstacles of scaling production.
Pathek likewise uses suggestions on how start-ups can navigate the equity capital landscape and how to accomplish cost efficiency in humanoids.Show timeline6:30 –-- News of the week14:50 –-- Interview with Laura Major37:10 –-- Interview with Sankaet Pathek, creator and CEO of the brand-new humanoid robot business FoundationNews of the weekRobot sales for the automobile market remain high in EuropeInvestments in automation within Europe‘& lsquo; s cars and truck market continue to be robust, as reported by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
In 2024, the automobile sector saw 23,000 brand-new commercial robotic installations, marking the second-highest result in five years.Automakers are responsible for approximately one-third of Europe’& rsquo; s annual manufacturing setups.
The 23,000 robot installations in the European automobile sector in 2024 exceeded the 19,200 systems set up in North America throughout the exact same period.The IFR previously kept in mind that commercial robot installations in the U.S.
automotive market rising by 10.7% to 13,700 systems in 2024.
However, the U.S.
does not produce the majority of these robots, with the bulk sourced from overseas.
Worldwide, 70% of robotic setups are produced by Japan, China, Germany, and South Korea.In 2023, 6 European countries were among the top 10 worldwide for robotic density in the automotive industry.
European Union member states play popular function in automation across all sectors, accounting for about 85% of all regional installations in 2024.
SoftBank prepares $1T commercial complex in ArizonaMasayoshi Son, creator of SoftBank, is supposedly preparing to establish a $1 trillion industrial complex in Arizona, focusing on the development of robotics and artificial intelligence.
This ambitious task, codenamed “& ldquo; Project Crystal Land,” & rdquo; objectives to re-establish high-end tech manufacturing in the U.S., drawing inspiration from China’& rsquo; s producing center in Shenzhen.Son is actively looking for cooperation with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
(TSMC), although the specific nature of TSMC’& rsquo; s participation and its interest stay uncertain.
TSMC has actually already devoted to investing in U.S.
chipmaking facilities, with a planned expense of $165 billion.
In addition to TSMC, Son is likewise checking out prospective partnerships with other tech giants, consisting of Samsung Electronics.Motional names Laura Major as brand-new president, CEOBoston-based Motional this month called Major as president and CEO.
She was selected by Motional’& rsquo; s board of directors following a successful period as chief innovation officer.
The statement comes as the AV company prepares to introduce its driverless commercial service in 2026.
Major had acted as Motional’& rsquo; s interim CEO since September 2024, when she took over for Karl Iagnemma, who stepped down.
Iagnemma is now CEO of Vecna Robotics, a company of storage facility automation systems.
Major has been CTO of Motional considering that the company’& rsquo; s beginning in 2020.
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