In Episode 200 of The Robotic Report Podcast, our visitor is Dr. Robert Ambrose, chairman of robotics and synthetic intelligence at Alliant; affiliate director of the Texas A&M House Institute; and former chief of software program, robotics, and simulation at NASA.
Ambrose discusses his intensive expertise in robotics and AI, significantly throughout his time at NASA. He highlights the evolution of robotics in house exploration, the transition to business functions, and the significance of training in fostering the following technology of engineers.
Rob additionally emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. to regain its management in robotics amidst rising competitors from international locations like China, and he advocates for a proactive strategy to innovation and automation in varied industries.
Ambrose’s profession spans greater than 20 years throughout educational analysis, federal service, and startup innovation, giving him a singular perspective on what it takes to drive robotics from the lab to real-world influence. From 2000 to 2021, his group at NASA’s Johnson House Middle group developed pioneering robotic platforms and applied sciences that proceed to form the way forward for human and robotic house exploration.
Chosen NASA tasks led by Dr. Ambrose:
Robonaut – NASA’s humanoid robotic designed to work alongside astronauts aboard the Worldwide House Station (ISS)
Valkyrie – A next-generation humanoid robotic constructed for catastrophe response and potential planetary missions
Centaur – A hybrid rover combining the mobility of a wheeled platform with humanoid manipulation capabilities
Chariot rovers – Modular mobility platforms for lunar exploration
LTV rover (Lunar Terrain Car) – A brand new technology floor mobility rover being developed for the Artemis program
MRV (Modular Robotic Car) – An electrical, drive-by-wire floor car platform developed with automotive functions in thoughts
Useful resource Prospector / VIPER Rover – A robotic mission to seek for lunar ice and sources essential for sustained exploration
Wearable robotics – Together with exoskeletons, powered gloves, and jetpacks for astronaut augmentation and rehabilitation
ISS assist methods – Robotic arms, cranes, and manipulation instruments for spacecraft operations and astronaut assist
Software program and simulation – Programs supporting business companions together with SpaceX, Boeing, and Orion missions
Along with his work at Johnson House Middle, Ambrose served for seven years at NASA headquarters because the principal technologist for robotics and autonomous methods, shaping nationwide technique for robotics in house exploration. Now at Texas A&M, he directs packages in robotic manipulation, floor mobility, and human augmentation as affiliate company director on the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and undertaking workplace director for House within the Strategic Superior Analysis Unit.
Historic info in regards to the podcast
This 2 hundredth episode marks a milestone in The Robotic Report Podcast’s historical past. This present options testimonials from prior visitors and pals of the present, together with Jonathan Hurst (Episode 1), Aaron Prather (Episodes 24 and 104), Kevin Lawton (The New Warehouse Podcast), Victor Splittgerber (Episode 118), and Joe Wieciek (Episode 44).
The primary episode was printed on June 2, 2020.
Present stats as of June 18, 2025:
13,500+ minutes uploaded
Common 1,670 performs per episode
334,000 performs for the reason that podcast launched
Greater than 250 visitors
Mike Oitzman joined the present on Episode 39 on April 2, 2021, as co-host and producer.
Episode 100 on Dec 1, 2022, featured Nic Radford when he was at Nauticaus. He was simply on Episode 198discussing his latest enterprise with Persona AI.
Our longest episode ever was when Eugene Demaitre returned to the present on Episode 132Nov. 17, 2023, at 1 hour, 53 minutes. It featured interviews with Craig Van den Avont, president of GAM Enterprises, and Mor Peretz, co-founder and CEO of CaPow.
Essentially the most listened-to episode, at over 5,800 performs, was Episode 166 on Oct. 4, 2024: “Inside 1x’s plan to check humanoids in properties,” that includes a dialog with Berndt Børnich, 1X founder and CEO.
When you’d wish to hearken to Jeff Chapman’s band play “Gedda Life,” hearken to the interview with Jeff after which keep till the tip of Episode 49.
Present timeline
0:00 – Jonathan Hurst Testimonial
2:08 – Steve Crowe, Eugene Demaitre, and Mike Oitzman recap the historical past of the podcast
25:18 – Aaron Prather testimonial
47:49 – Kevin Lawton testimonial
1:06:05 – Victor Splittgerber testimonial
1:07:36 – Mike and Gene interview Dr. Robert Ambrose
2:03:44 – Joe Wieciek testimonial
