The Robot Podcast

In this Season 4 finale of The Robot Podcast, we hear some of the previously unheard parts of our interviews with the incredible guests who’ve appeared across the series. Fran Scott looks back at our exploration of how we’re building a future with intelligent robots at the core – for a better tomorrow. Highlights include: Dr Sami Atiya, President of Robotics & Discrete Automation at ABB who’ll...

It’s twice the size of India and covers 6.5 million square kilometers yet faces deforestation at a rate of five football pitches every minute! So what new technologies can be employed to help stem the decline of this important part of the planet? In this episode of The Robot Podcast from ABB, Fran Scott finds out how robotic technology is being piloted in the Peruvian rainforest to help with the r...

Robots are perfect for those dull, dangerous and dirty tasks, this frees us up to concentrate on the jobs humans are best at but how are they able to cope at the extremes? In this episode of The Robot Podcast from ABB Fran Scott finds out about the robotic technology that’s doing its work in harsh and difficult environments so we don’t have to. We hear from Susanne Timsjo, Marketing & Sales Ma...

How can robots help us feel better?  The healthcare sector is undergoing a significant transformation as diagnosis and treatment of diseases moves on at pace.  From coping with an ageing population to a worldwide shortage of medical staff, in this episode of ABB’s The Robot Podcast we explore the cutting edge of healthcare by looking at the hospital of the future where drugs are stored and distrib...

Imagine the factory of the future where robots can quickly adapt and change in order to manufacture different items, or handle a multitude of tasks, and all at the press of a button.  A world where such capabilities will transform industries.  But these aren’t just the dreams of tomorrow because they’re already here today. Episode two of this series takes you on a behind-the-scenes ‘audio journey’...

Recently, we’ve seen major technological developments in machine learning, artificial intelligence, motion control, as well as low and no-code programming. 50 years ago all of this would have been seen as science fiction, but now is the time for exciting advanced technology to thrive and improve our lives. In our new series, Fran Scott is back to explore the power of robots and AI, and how it’s be...

This special series-ending episode of The Robot Podcast brings you extra content from our incredible contributors that’s never been heard, as host Fran Scott looks back at the cutting-edge innovations we have explored over the series. There’s more from futurologist Shivvy Jervis, plus Ben Scott Robinson of Small Robot Company looks at other parts of the farm the robots can help with, and Pindar Va...

How does our food go from the farm to our fork? Fran Scott tracks the journeys our meals make, and the robotic innovations that are changing the way industries across the global food supply-chain work. With thanks to Andrea Cassoni, Managing Director, Global Business Line General Industry, Robotics at ABB, Ben Scott-Robinson, CEO of Small Robot Company, and Cornelia Frank, Global Director of Fiber...

If art is defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” then can robots be artists? Fran Scott finds out. With thanks to Jo McLaughlin, host of Jo’s Art History Podcast, Carrie Zou, ABB Global Product Manager (Paint), and a...

Our shopping habits and the way we make our purchases are constantly evolving but how are companies changing the way they operate in response to this and where do robots come in? With thanks to Doug Stephens, Founder of Retail Prophet, Ali Raja, ABB Global Marketing & Sales Director, and Manuel Garcia, CEO of Nagami Part of the ABB Decoded Series of podcasts, The Robot Podcast is a Fresh Air P...

Climate change and the need for a more sustainable world are the issues that are top of the agenda for all of us around the globe and robotics and discrete automation is playing a major part in the world’s efforts to address these challenges. Join Fran Scott as she discovers what the solutions are, and how they’re being implemented. With thanks to Shivvy Jervis, Founder of FutureScape 248, Marc Se...

There are two definitions when it comes to the word “sustainable”. Firstly, to cause little or no damage to the environment. Secondly, to continue over a long period of time. The Robot Podcast is BACK for season three and kicking things off by exploring that second definition. There’s no doubt that we’re going through changing times – so how do industries learn to adapt to unpredictable events tha...

This special series-ending episode of The Robot Podcast brings you extra content from our incredible contributors that’s never been heard, as host Fran Scott looks back at the cutting-edge innovations we have explored over the series. There’s more from architect Daniela Mitterberger about Sustainable Buildings, technology journalist David McClelland tells us about Frictionless Shopping...

In 2020, the online shopping market crossed the two trillion US-dollar threshold. The retail revolution has begun. From a click of a button, most of our much-needed shopping can be at our doorstep within 24-hours, and that’s thanks to robots.  But what actually happens when you click ‘Buy Now’?  Join Fran Scott as she discover how robotics are transforming how we shop a...

From Silverstone to simulations, we look at the power of the ‘digital twin’ in industry. Whether it’s racing simulators with Formula-E, or improving the factories of the future with ABB’s ground-breaking Robot Studio; we look at how virtual twins work and how they help improve our industries across the globe. With thanks to: Simona de Silvestro of Porsche Motorsport; Gregor...

Safe to say education has changed a lot over the last few decades. From chalk boards, to computers, coding is now taught from early ages and, with the pandemic, e-learning has ensured that students stay on track. But could we see a time where robots play a vital role in education? Yes, and that time is now. With our constantly changing world, the jobs of tomorrow don’t exist just yet. But if...

Construction is a huge industry across the globe, in fact we need to build 13,000 buildings each day between now and 2050 to support an expected population of 7 billion people just living in cities. And as the world pays more and more attention to the climate, and our consumption of energy, it’s becoming more and more crucial that our construction is sustainable. Join presente...

Technology has transformed how we live our lives and it’s estimated that 127 new devices are connected to the Internet every second around the world. Join presenter, scientist and engineering fan Fran Scott as she explores the past, present and future of technology and robotics. How much has changed in the last decade? And what’s in store for the next? With thanks to Dr Kate Devlin fro...

Climate change is transforming our planet for the worse, but can robots provide a sustainable solution? 3D printing in construction could save up to 70% of building materials, and a robot used for painting could save 30% of that paint thanks to being more accurate. From repairing our cities, to remaking marine habitats, host Fran Scott is joined by ABB’s Managing director of General Industry...

Robots are driving change when it comes to electric vehicles (EVs). To reach a greener future, electric vehicles could totally decarbonise transport whilst still enabling us to get from A to B (to B). Host Fran Scott is joined by ABB’s Global Assembly for Robotics Auto OEM, Patrick Matthews; Ade Thomas, founder of Green TV which partnered with ABB to launch the first ever World EV Day , a gl...

The EU food and drink industry employs 4.72 million people . In half of the EU’s 27 Member States, the food and drink industry is the biggest manufacturing employer, and robotics plays an important part. According to a recent survey, almost a third of food processing and 94% of packaging operations use robotics, and that’s only going to keep  growing. We live in a world where we w...

Collaborative robots are transforming the field of medicine. From lab testing to cleaning hospitals, cobots are releasing medical staff from routine tasks so they can focus on highly skilled and productive work, while ultimately helping more people to receive treatment by dramatically speeding up testing. Host Fran Scott is joined by ABB Robotics Healthcare Global Solutions Line Manager, Chema Col...

From testing samples in labs to making computer chips, collaborative robots (cobots) are working together with humans to transform our lives. Cobots are taking on repetitive and mundane tasks and helping create the flexibility and scalability for small and medium-sized enterprises to grow. Host Fran Scott is joined by ABB’s Global Product Manager for Collaborative Robotics, Andie Zhang; robo...

Safe to say that 2020 was a year like no other. As coronavirus swept across the world, not only were robots able to provide continuity for businesses during the pandemic, but they also helped keep human workers safe. Robotic automation accelerated our ability to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and in some cases helped businesses reconfigure their production lines to make lifesaving equipment. In...

Today there are nearly three million robots at work in the world, and that number is predicted to increase dramatically – so what does the robotic revolution really mean for us? Join presenter and engineer, Fran Scott, who is on a mission to find out how robots are changing the world around us for the better. From food to healthcare, and education to transport – each episode sees Fran...