Carter Pro: A Robust AI Robot That Partners With and Moves Alongside Humans
Carter the ‘Human‑Friendly’ Robot: A Walk Through the Demo Warehouse
Two things jump out when you watch Carter zoom through the aisles in Robust AI’s San Carlos headquarters. First, the shelves: they’re standard, modular, and off‑the‑shelf. Anyone who’s shopped at a big box retailer will recognize those tidy wire frames. Clearly, this was designed to feel like everyday warehousing.
Second, it’s not the robot’s body that steals the show, but the way people move it around. While Carter rolls through the hall, workers gently lift and sling it—just like a sturdy kinematic coffee cart that you can hula‑dance with. It’s a subtle cue that in this world the human and robot are true teammates.
Safety First: A Must‑Talk Topic
We’ve heard a lot about humanoid bots, but not a lot about the do‑you‑feel-safe vibe when they’re in the same room as people. Forklifts have been a danger deck from the ’30s, and any self‑driving metal machine – no matter how smart – still carries risk. The trick is making the robot feel like a friend, not a freight train.
Why Pushing Matters
Being able to manually move Carter isn’t just a fancy feature; it’s essential when you’re dealing with the unpredictable mess of real warehouses. The robot senses the force you apply and fine‑tunes its motion, so you’re never left feeling like you’re pushing a stubborn drum into stubborn brick. And the bright orange handle bar lets you control it single‑handed—an unexpectedly wild engineering challenge turned into smooth functionality.
Hands‑On Heritage
Stories often paint humanoid robots as the future replacement of humans, but that’s still a long road. What’s clear is that folks working side‑by‑side with bots today will need to do so safely. The founders of Robust AI, especially CTO Rodney Brooks—once the brain behind Rethink Robotics—have leaned heavily on human‑robot interaction for a reason.
- Real‑World Collaboration – Carter is built to be a team player.
- Force‑Sensing – you get immediate feedback when you push.
- Single‑Hand Control – keep the other hand free for your toolbox.
Camera vs. Lidar: Picking the Right Eye
Carter uses cameras instead of lidar, a trend growing among autonomous mobile robot makers. Lidar is great, but its higher price tag and bulk can be a drag in a cramped warehouse. Cameras run the cost down while giving a clear, flexible view of the environment.
In short, the human‑robot partnership is the future, and Carter shows that with a robot you can feel safe when you drop it off or give it a gentle tow.
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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
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Getting the Robots Out of the Lab
Robust Robotics has been pushing the prototype out of the garage and onto the road—early testers are already feeling the difference. As TechCrunch reported, the first unit rolled off the assembly line about a week ago.
Who’s Buying These Brains?
- DHL is the headline‑grabbing customer, and that’s doing wonders for global shipping. But the team has a broad vision beyond one giant logistics firm.
- In the words of founder Brooks, “We’re not going to just do business with DHL.” He explains that their strategy is to spread the robot love across various industries.
- “Walmart had a whole bunch of robotics companies, and then they pulled the plug—those companies are now in a bit of a jam. We want to keep things smooth for everyone.”
Keeping the Portfolio Wide and Balanced
Robust is consciously limiting how many robots go to each client. “We’ve made it clear to DHL that they only get a certain percentage of the units,” Brooks says. The goal is to keep the bot market healthy and vibrant for the next decade and beyond.
