In Episode 208 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre recap various topics in the robotics industry, including a humanoid Olympics event in China. They also discuss recent market data released by the International Federation of Robotics and the Association for Advancing Automation.
This week, we feature a session from the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo titled “Beyond Manufacturing: AI-Powered Robotics and the Long Tail of Commercial Innovation” with Dave Coleman, founder and chief product officer of PickNik Robotics.
Coleman examines the evolution and deployment of AI-powered robotics beyond traditional factory settings. He also recommends combining classical controls with AI models to ensure safety and reliability. Coleman introduced PickNik’s four generations of AI technology, from industrial automation to end-to-end models, and he describes the need for better developer tools to support niche applications.
Show timeline
- 04:50 – News of the week
- 32:41 – “Beyond Manufacturing: AI-Powered Robotics and the Long Tail of Commercial Innovationn” with Dave Coleman, founder and chief product officer of PickNik Robotics
News of the week
Humanoid Robot Games in China
At the inaugural “Humanoid Olympics” in Shanghai, China, Unitree Robotics‘ H1 robot made a splash by winning gold in both the 1,500 m and 400 m races and setting new records, though a viral video also showed the robot accidentally running into a person.
IFR examines humanoid adoption trends around the globe
According to new research from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), different regions are taking unique approaches to humanoid robots. The U.S. and Europe are concentrating on industrial applications.
In the U.S., private investment drives development in logistics and manufacturing, while Europe focuses on ethical considerations and collaborative robots that work alongside humans. Meanwhile, China sees humanoids as a national strategy for its service sector, and Japan, a pioneer in the field, is developing social companion robots to assist its aging population.
North American robot orders steady in the first half of 2025, says A3
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) said that orders for industrial robots increased by 4.3%, and revenue rose by 7.5% compared with the first half of 2024. The organization reported that non-automotive sectors surpassed automotive manufacturing in orders, with life sciences and electronics taking the lead.
A3 remained optimistic about a rebound in North American robot orders. “If these patterns hold, the North American robotics market could outperform 2024 levels by mid-single digit growth rates by the end of the year,” stated Alex Shikany, executive vice president at A3.
Apple announces $100B American Manufacturing program
Apple Inc. is committing an additional $100 billion to its U.S. investment, bringing its total to $600 billion over the next four years and directly hiring 20,000 new employees. This funding will support the company’s new American Manufacturing Program (AMP), which aims to increase domestic production across its supply chain.
AMP includes partners like Corning and TSMC, as well as a new server manufacturing facility in Houston to support Apple Intelligence.
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