logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
2h 32m

#374 – Robert Playter: Boston Dynamics C...

LEX FRIDMAN
About this episode

Robert Playter is CEO of Boston Dynamics, a legendary robotics company that over 30 years has created some of the most elegant, dextrous, and simply amazing robots ever built, including the humanoid robot Atlas and the robot dog Spot. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit
LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack

EPISODE LINKS:
Boston Dynamics YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bostondynamics
Boston Dynamics Twitter: https://twitter.com/BostonDynamics
Boston Dynamics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostondynamicsofficial
Boston Dynamics Website: https://bostondynamics.com

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:18) – Early days of Boston Dynamics
(15:39) – Simplifying robots
(19:37) – Art and science of robotics
(24:20) – Atlas humanoid robot
(41:14) – DARPA Robotics Challenge
(55:34) – BigDog robot
(1:09:23) – Spot robot
(1:30:48) – Stretch robot
(1:33:36) – Handle robot
(1:39:10) – Robots in our homes
(1:47:57) – Tesla Optimus robot
(1:56:39) – ChatGPT
(1:59:43) – Boston Dynamics AI Institute
(2:01:14) – Fear of robots
(2:11:36) – Running a company
(2:17:13) – Consciousness
(2:24:46) – Advice for young people
(2:26:42) – Future of robots

Up next
Oct 1
#482 – Pavel Durov: Telegram, Freedom, Censorship, Money, Power & Human Nature
Pavel Durov is the founder and CEO of Telegram. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep482-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/pavel-duro ... Show More
4h 42m
Sep 19
#481 – Norman Ohler: Hitler, Nazis, Drugs, WW2, Blitzkrieg, LSD, MKUltra & CIA
Norman Ohler is a historian and author of "Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich," a book that investigates the role of psychoactive drugs, particularly stimulants such as methamphetamine, in the military history of World War II. It is a book that two legendary historians Ian Kershaw ... Show More
4h 31m
Sep 4
#480 – Dave Hone: T-Rex, Dinosaurs, Extinction, Evolution, and Jurassic Park
Dave Hone is a paleontologist, expert on dinosaurs, co-host of the Terrible Lizards podcast, and author of numerous scientific papers and books on the behavior and ecology of dinosaurs. He lectures at Queen Mary University of London on topics of Ecology, Zoology, Biology, and Evo ... Show More
3h 41m
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2021
Dr. Lex Fridman: Machines, Creativity & Love
Dr. Lex Fridman Ph.D., is a scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), working on robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and human-robot interactions. He is also the host of the Lex Fridman Podcast where he holds conversations with academics, entrep ... Show More
3 h
Oct 2023
Reverse-engineering autonomy in humanoid robots with Sanctuary AI CEO Geordie Rose | E1832
This Week in Startups is brought to you by… IntouchCX. Looking for ways to make your startup more efficient? IntouchCX has a ground-breaking suite of AI-powered tools for end-to-end optimization to give your business the edge it needs to thrive. Get started with your free consult ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2023
Mon. 03/20 – Robots All The Way Down
New bots to make video from text prompts. Fending off the bots from biting your style. Falling in love with the bots. In the streaming wars, the ad supported experiments are working, and pricing power is a thing. And the startup that says it’s about to introduce humanoid bots. Re ... Show More
16m 56s
Mar 2024
Figure’s AI Robot, AI News, Cognition’s Devin, and the biggest AI bet yet! | E1915
This Week in Startups is brought to you by… LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups Gusto is easy online payroll, benefits, and HR built for modern small businesses. Get three months free w ... Show More
53m 57s
Jan 2015
Swarm Robots - When Will They Enter Society? With Dr. James McLurkin
Dr. James McLurkin works with swarm robots at Rice University, and his unique work on robot communication has landed him on PBS’s “Nova,” in addition to speaking engagements at events like TED and Singularity Summit. In this episode, Dr. McLurkin discusses how swarm robots have b ... Show More
27m 30s
Jan 2024
Hacker Saket Modi Returns: New Cyber Risks, Identity Thefts, Deep Fake Horrors | TRS 374
Check out BeerBiceps SkillHouse's Video Editing Course - https://bbsh.in/bb-launch-yt Use my referral code OFF50 to get a 50% Discount on a standard membership subscription. Valid Upto 15th January 2024 Only. Follow BeerBiceps SkillHouse's Social Media Handles: YouTube : https:// ... Show More
1h 24m
Apr 2024
The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron
Episode 4: How is AI impacting the future of creativity and the workplace? Matt Wolfe (https://twitter.com/mattwolfe) and Nathan Lands (https://twitter.com/NathanLands) tap into the insights of Pete Huang (https://twitter.com/petehuang), founder of The Neuron, a daily newsletter ... Show More
52m 16s
Feb 2024
Google DeepMind C.E.O. Demis Hassabis on the Path From Chatbots to A.G.I.
This week’s episode is a conversation with Demis Hassabis, the head of Google’s artificial intelligence division. We talk about Google’s latest A.I. models, Gemini and Gemma; the existential risks of artificial intelligence; his timelines for artificial general intelligence; and ... Show More
56m 37s
Feb 2024
Reddit’s IPO, Consumer vs. Enterprise AI, and Sam Altman’s New Fund and more! | E1903
This Week in Startups is brought to you by… Northwest Registered Agent. When starting your business, it's important to use a service that will actually help you. Northwest Registered Agent is that service. They'll form your company fast, give you the documents you need to ... Show More
1h 12m