Episode 18 – Platform Economy in Robotics: How Cobots are Transforming Business Models

Welcome to the next episode of Platform Disco! Today, our guest is Jesper Kildegaard Poulsen, Senior Director of Digital Ecosystems at Universal Robots A/S.

Universal Robots is a Danish company specializing in the development and manufacturing of collaborative robots, called cobots. Cobots are designed to work safely and efficiently alongside humans without the need for extensive safety measures. Universal Robots aims to make automation accessible to companies of all sizes, especially small and medium-sized businesses that may not have large resources for complex automation solutions.

WHAT IS THE EPISODE ABOUT?

In the episode we talk about how Universal Robots has leveraged its Danish roots and strong collaboration with local industries and academia to become a leader in the cobot industry.

Jesper explains the concept of cobots, emphasizing their ability to work alongside humans and perform repetitive tasks in a safe and efficient manner. He highlights how the company’s ecosystem supports the development of various applications for cobots, ranging from industrial manufacturing to more creative uses like making pizzas. The company’s focus on creating user-friendly software and hardware platforms has been crucial in enabling its partners to develop innovative solutions.

We also talk about the importance of platform business models and how Universal Robots is navigating the transition from project-based to product-based solutions. This shift is seen as essential for scaling the adoption of cobots, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises that may not have the resources or expertise to engage in customized automation projects.

Finally, we talk about the challenges and opportunities in educating the market on the benefits of cobots and the potential to productize solutions to reduce transaction costs. Jesper highlights the importance of building a robust partner ecosystem to help communicate these advantages and explore new market segments. The discussion also covers the future of robotics, including the role of humanoid robots and emerging technologies. Jesper is optimistic about the increasing adoption of cobots within broader automation trends across diverse industries.

All links to Jesper and Universal Robos:

Jesper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesper-kildegaard-poulsen/

Universal Robots: https://www.universal-robots.com/de/

All links to Alex, David, Peter and McFadyen Digital:


Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pesjak-business-ecosystems/

David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddetjen/

Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-c-evans-phd-217b8/

McFadyen Digital: https://mcfadyen.com

Podcast produced by: https://www.lehnertmedia.de

About the Podcast

Gain firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs experienced by top executives, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to effectively design, build, and expand your marketplace initiatives.  

Platform Disco has episodes in English and German with new releases dropping 7 AM CEST every Wednesday. To learn more, explore the individual episode listings below.

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Meet the Hosts

Alex Pesjak

VP, EMEA

Alex is a seasoned platform professional who is passionate about creating value in ecosystems and platforms. With a deep understanding of strategy, transformation, and innovation, he is driven by the vision of a thriving Ecosystem Economy across Europe and beyond. Pesjak specializes in aligning purpose, ambition, and circularity to create strategic frameworks that drive success. He is skilled in transforming legacy businesses while simultaneously leading ecosystems through agile and dual operating models.

Alex has a 20 year Brand and Innovation Background in Coca-Cola and Kraft Foods while working as a consultant for the last 12 years in the fields above. With a passion for creating value for all stakeholders, he is dedicated to driving the transformation to networked business models and organizations. Alex currently serves as McFadyen Digital’s VP, EMEA as a leader in their Strategic Advisory practice.

David Detjen

Sales Director

David is a digital professional with over 15 years in e-commerce as well as on the operator and partner sides of the equation in a variety of roles. This experience, both operating a platform in the form of an online marketplace, and serving in more of a consultative role, provides David with a unique perspective, able to “walk in the shoes” of far more than most while providing solutions.

Prior to joining McFadyen Digital, David honed his skills at the likes of Siemens, Arvatis, Mindcurv (Accenture Song), and Eccelerate, helping clients to transform their digital commerce capabilities. With McFadyen Digital, David continues this work leveraging the advantages of composable MACH approach to technology while utilizing the latest platform business models to provide scalable growth to his clients.

Peter C. Evans

Chief Strategy Officer

Before becoming the Chief Strategy Officer at McFadyen Digital, Peter Evans was a Managing Partner at the Platform Strategy Institute, a consultancy dedicated to management strategy and application of platform business models across a wide range of sectors. Dr. Evans has over 20 years of experience leading teams in identifying, framing, assessing, and communicating high-priority marketplace trends and disruptions that support business planning and investment prioritization.

Peter received his master’s degree and Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an International Academy of Management Fellow. He is also the co-chair of the MIT Platform Strategy Summit and the Founder of MusicTech Connect in Atlanta.

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