Episode 11 of The Downtime, WTWH Media’s weekly manufacturing podcast, was published on July 3, 2025. In this special star-spangled edition, we’re talking about Boston Dynamics’ robots that are built in the United States, Amazon’s move to sustainable paper filler for packaging, B&R Industrial Automation’s levitating shuttles, and we wrap it all up with a regional dialect game.
Meet The Downtime’s co-hosts
Sarah Wynn, senior editor (digital) at Packaging OEM, and Sheri Kasprzak, managing editor of Plant Engineering, Control Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, team up each week to break down the latest in manufacturing, with this podcast spotlighting homegrown innovation.
“This episode is brought to you by vibes and coffee,” said Sheri.
New episodes are released every Thursday. Tune in to this week’s show on SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube – all embedded right here in this story.
The Downtime Podcast | Episode 11: American-built robots, Amazon’s packaging shift
In this week’s show, the co-hosts talk with Matt Malchano, vice president of software at Boston Dynamics. They discuss the company’s product line, its role in American manufacturing, and the benefits of being a U.S.-based robotics company.
“Robots are a key part of restoring America’s ability to have a strong industrial base,” said Matt when asked about domestic production and industrial innovation.
Matt noted that Hyundai ordered tens of thousands of robots from Boston Dynamics for its new EV manufacturing plant in Georgia.
Sarah, Sheri, and Matt also chat about Spot, Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot designed for mobility. Spot performed a routine to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” on America’s Got Talent, receiving unanimous approval from the show’s judges.
Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, the duo dives into the retail giant’s transition from single-use plastic to an eco-friendlier option. Amazon’s move, which took effect last summer, replaced 95% of plastic air pillows in North America with paper fillers for product protection during shipment.
The show also covers B&R Industrial Automation’s levitating magnetic shuttles, which were demonstrated earlier this year at Pack Expo Southeast, and can be deployed for short-run packaging.
Sarah highlighted a Packaging OEM video she created for World Industrial Design Day, featuring B&R’s shuttles, mk North America’s recirculating pallet system, Morrison Container Handling Solutions’ Smart-Divider Combiner, and Hoosier Feeder’s flexible pouch system and opposing conveyor system.
To wrap up the podcast, Sarah and Sheri participate in a regional dialect game. Sarah, a native Ohioan who speaks Midwestern English, and Sheri, a born Southerner turned New Englander, didn’t agree on the pronunciation of several words, sparking a lively debate over how to say ‘crayon.’
Show lineup for The Downtime Episode 11: Party in the USA
0:50 – Sheri introduces the star-spangled lineup, including robots made in the USA, Amazon’s sustainable shift, World Industrial Design Day, B&R Industrial Automation’s shuttles
1:48 – Sarah and Sheri cover companies manufacturing in America
2:05 – Sheri introduces the interview with Boston Dynamics
2:54 – Boston Dynamics interview with Matt Malchano, vice president of software. He shares the company’s product line, role in American manufacturing, and the benefits of being a U.S.-based robotics company
11:45 – Sheri congratulates Boston Dynamics for America’s Got Talent appearance, featuring Spot robot
12:40 – Sarah addresses Amazon Prime Day and the company’s switch from plastic air pillows to paper filler in North American deliveries
15:44 – World Industrial Design Day
16:01 – Sarah introduces B&R Industrial Automation’s magnetic shuttles, featuring video footage of the demonstration
17:20 – Sarah addresses World Industrial Design Day and speaks about Packaging OEM’s social media video
18:11 – Sarah and Sheri play a regional dialect game called “She said… What?”
26:50 – The pair wraps up the episode and looks ahead to next week
Check out The Downtime’s archive!
Episode 1: Packaging + Robots + Tariffs, Oh, My!
Episode 5: Thinking Inside the Box
Episode 6: Conveyance, Copilots & College Grads
Episode 7: Running on AI and Coffee
Episode 10: Manufacturing Fun!
