Beyond manufacturing: AI-Powered robotics and the long tail of commercial innovation

In Episode 208 of The Robot Report Podcast, hosts Mike Oitzman and Eugene Demaitre discuss key developments in robotics, including the inaugural Humanoid Olympics in Shanghai where Unitree Robotics’ H1 robot won gold in multiple races despite a viral mishap. They highlight recent market insights from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). IFR’s research reveals regional differences in humanoid robot adoption: the U.S. and Europe focus on industrial and collaborative robots, China pursues humanoids for its service sector as a national strategy, and Japan develops social companion robots for its aging population. A3 reports a 4.3% increase in North American industrial robot orders in early 2025, with non-automotive sectors like life sciences and electronics leading growth, signaling optimism for continued market expansion. The episode also features a session from the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo titled “Beyond Manufacturing: AI-Powered Robotics and the Long Tail of