Welcome to Episode 12 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us every Wednesday for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.

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Eugene and I talk to Dev Singh, senior director of business development and head of autonomous robotics, drones and intelligent machines, Qualcomm Technologies. We touch on the benefits 5G and edge computing are having on the robotics industry, common challenges robotics developers face, and Qualcomm’s role in NASA’s 2020 Mars Mission. Dev also shares examples of how robotics companies are using Qualcomm’s new RB5 platform and other technologies to create the next generation of robots.

We also go inside the economics of delivery robots, which we’ve repeatedly been told don’t have a solid business case. David Rodriguez, head of business, Kiwibot, takes us behind the curtain for the California-based startup. He details the business model, how they’re keep costs down, and why “building a robot with three LiDARS to deliver Doritos won’t be profitable.”

Eugene and I also recap the $1.9 billion in robotics investments from July 2020, which is an increase from the $1.1 billion raised in July 2019. Autonomous trucking company TuSimple is reportedly seeking an IPO in early 2021 at a valuation up to $7 billion, which seems quite high. Michigan is starting Phase One of the development of a 40-mile autonomous vehicle roadway. What does this mean for the development of Level 5 autonomous vehicles? We also hit on AWS RoboMaker’s new simulation tool WorldForge and potentially the world’s largest robot, Field Scanalyzer, which is analyzing crops in Arizona.

If you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the podcast, or if you have recommendations for future guests or segment ideas, contact Steve or Eugene. For sponsorship opportunities of The Robot Report Podcast, contact Courtney Nagle for more information.

Podcast Timestamps
0-2:05: Show Intro
2:06 – 22:52: Conversation with Dev Singh, senior director of business development and head of autonomous robotics, drones and intelligent machines, Qualcomm Technologies
22:53-27:55 Investment recap
27:56-33:08: TuSimple seeks $7B IPO
33:09-38:57: Michigan developing autonomous vehicle roadway
38:59-43:03 AWS RoboMaker WorldForge hopes to simplify creation of simulated environments
43:04-47:51: Field Scanalyzer agrobot
47:52-1:13:25: Conversation with David Rodriguez, Head of Business, Kiwibot
1:13:26-1:14:11 – Show Outro

Podcast Links
The Robot Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts |  SoundCloud | Spotify | Google Play
The Robot Report YouTube Channel
Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform
Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform puts 5G, AI in developers’ hands
July 2020 robotics investments trends
WorldForge for AWS RoboMaker designed to quickly scale robotics simulations