In Episode 177 of The Robot Report Podcast, we feature an interview with Ben Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Palladyne AI.What is Palladyne AI?In the featured interview this week, Mike Oitzman and Gene Demaitre interview Ben Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Paladine AI.Ben discusses the company’s evolution from hardware-focused robotics to a software-centric approach.He shares insights on the challenges faced during this transition, the impact of SPAC acquisitions, and how Palladyne AI differentiates itself in the competitive landscape of AI for robotics.Ben also highlights the importance of government contracts and the company’s hardware-agnostic strategy, while looking ahead to future opportunities in automation and AI applications.Ben recognizing the immediate market potential for the software and AI algorithms developed by the company, pivoted from hardware development to a software-centric approach. This strategic shift, involving the layoff of hardware teams, significantly reduced their burn rate. Palladyne AI has developed software capable of teaching robots complex tasks in under 20 minutes.This agnostic software operates seamlessly on various third-party robots, accelerating iteration and development cycles. The company boasts contracts with the Pentagon, securing non-dilutive funding while navigating the inherent compliance challenges. This robust AI platform, built upon years of valuable hardware experience, positions Paladine AI for future growth and scaling their software solutions across diverse industries.To learn more, goto: https://www.palladyneai.com/Show timeline6:00 – News of the week27:00 – Interview with Ben WolffRegister today to save 40% on conference passes!News of the weekGM will no longer fund Cruise’s robotaxi development General Motors Co. today announced that it will no longer fund Cruise LLC’s robotaxi deployment work

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation (“Sarcos”) (NASDAQ: STRC) (NASDAQ: STRCW) is pleased to announce that effective as of February 23, 2024, the company’s co-founder and former CEO, Ben Wolff, will resume the role of president and CEO as the Company pursues its next phase of innovation and growth, with a concerted focus on commercializing and deploying the robotic artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software platform that the Company began developing under Wolff’s leadership in 2019. Laura Peterson, who served as CEO of Sarcos for much of 2023, will assume the role of executive vice chairman and will continue to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. “When Laura took on the CEO role last year, the Company was working on bringing eight different robotic hardware products to market and the Company’s AI platform was primarily being considered as a value add to the hardware. After a thorough analysis led by Laura, the Company has suspended the development of its hardware products, substantially extended its financial runway and narrowed its focus to leverage its unique AI platform to enhance the productivity of the large installed base of industrial robots around the world,” said Sarcos Chairman Dennis Weibling. “We can’t thank Laura enough for repositioning the Company for success.”. “It has been an honor to have served Sarcos during this crucial transition period,” said Laura Peterson