Welcome to the podcast (#137) My guest today is Shaun Edwards the CTO of Plus One Robotics. We are going to be talking about Robotics Foundation Models, RFM for short. Welcome to the podcast Shawn. Shawn for those who don’t know about your background, can you tell us about what Plus One Robotics is and some of your experience at Southwest Research Institute / Willow Garage? Let me set this conversation up.  Vayu Robotics recently announced its ditching LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology and leveraging foundation models for their newest delivery robot.  This announcement comes on the heels of Covariant announcing RFM-1, its Robotics Foundation Model that promised general intelligence for robotic control across tasks and environments earlier this year. What is ROS? What is a Foundation Model? What does it take to create a foundational model? We are in the beginning of foundational models, is that true Shawn? What is the lifetime or lifespan of a foundational model? Where are we in the cycle of foundational models? What are some of the Gaps, Risks and Rewards? Why should we be concerned? One of the big challenges is that people are investing in an unproven environment? Are we talking about employees and investors, startups CEOs? What is next for these foundational models? Shawn have we forgotten to talk about anything? Can we talk about some latest developments at Plus One Robotics? You have won a couple of awards and some money, too. A billion picks and a new product. Congratulations! How can people get a hold of you and find out more about Plus One Robotics? If you would like to get in touch with us at THE robot industry podcast, you can find me, Jim Beretta on LinkedIn or you can use info@customerattraction.com Today’s podcast was produced by Customer Attraction Industrial Marketing and I would like to thank my team: Chris Gray for the music, Geoffy Bremner for audio production, my business partner Janet and our sponsor Ehrhardt Automation Systems. Warm Regards, Jim Jim Beretta Customer Attraction & The Robot Industry Podcast London, ON