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Welcome to Episode 85 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies and other key members of the robotics community.

Our guest this week is Mike Dooley, co-founder and CEO of robotics startup Labrador Systems. Founded in 2017, the Calabasas, Calif.-based company is developing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for home environments to help the elderly and those with mobility issues live independently longer. The AMRs can transport things around the home and even retrieve items off countertops and tables.

We discuss the technical challenges and decisions involved with building the robots, as well as the business challenges such as funding and working with insurance companies. Mike also details how his days at Evolution Robotics and iRobot are helping direct the Labrador Systems journey. Labrador Systems was named a 2022 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winner by our sister publication Robotics Business Review. The interview with Mike starts at 36:36.

Links from today’s show:

• Labrador Systems building AMRs for home assistance
• Nuro lays off employees in Texas, California and Arizona
• Fabric laying off 40% of staff, pivoting business model
• DoorDash shuts down Chowbotics 
• Reports: major layoffs at Pudu Robotics

Now it’s time to prepare for RoboBusiness and the Field Robotics Engineering Forum, which run October 19-20, 2022 in Santa Clara, Calif

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 Crowe or Mike Oitzman.

For sponsorship opportunities of The Robot Report Podcast, contact Courtney Nagle for more information.