How Humanoid Robots are Shaping the Future of Logistics with Parker Conroy
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
Release Date: 08/28/2025
Inside the DAT - Convoy Platform Deal: What This Acquisiton Means for the Freight Market with Bill Driegert
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “Inside the DAT - Convoy Platform Deal: What This Acquisiton Means for the Freight Market”, and , EVP of Convoy Platform - DAT Freight & Analytics, discuss how the integration of the Convoy Platform's automation and AI technology with DAT's massive freight marketplace will help brokers combat fraud, increase efficiency, and focus on high-value work. About Bill Driegert is the EVP of Convoy Platform at DAT Freight & Analytics. He was previously the EVP of Trucking at Flexport and the co-founder and Head of Operations at Uber Freight, Uber’s logistics business. Bill began his...
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How Humanoid Robots are Shaping the Future of Logistics with Parker Conroy
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “How Humanoid Robots are Shaping the Future of Logistics”, and , Head of Product at Apptronik, discuss how Apollo, a human-centered, AI-powered humanoid robot, is set to transform the industry by working alongside humans to fill labor gaps and perform a wide range of tasks in a safe and efficient manner. About Parker Conroy is the Head of Product at Apptronik, a leading developer of humanoid robots. Conroy has worked in robotics for more than a decade, guiding product management teams to design and deploy thousands of industrial robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots, drones, and now,...
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The C.H. Robinson Perspective: Navigating the Next Era with Michael Castagnetto
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “The C.H. Robinson Perspective: Navigating the Next Era”, and , President of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson, discuss how the company's people-first culture and commitment to developing its employees drive its ability to solve complex logistics challenges and innovate for the future. About Michael Castagnetto was named president of North American Surface Transportation (NAST) in January 2024. Prior executive positions with the company include Vice President, Customer Success in NAST from January 2023 – January 2024 and President of Robinson Fresh from December...
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REPOST: Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain with Briana Birkholz
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
and discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. Briana is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce, the world’s leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. About Briana Birkholz is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce. With a passion for overcoming supply chain and logistics challenges, Briana is committed to addressing the distinct needs of customers through comprehensive,...
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Project 61: The Mission to Give Truckers a Longer, Healthier Life with Jeremy ReymerProject 61: The Mission to Give Truckers a Longer, Healthier Life with Jeremy Reymer
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “Project 61: The Mission to Give Truckers a Longer, Healthier Life”, and , the Founder and CEO of Project 61, discuss the shocking statistic that the average life expectancy of a truck driver is just 61 years and the organization's mission to address this health crisis. About Jeremy Reymer is a recognized leader and innovator in the trucking industry with over 20 years of experience as both a carrier and vendor. A frequent speaker and podcast host, he addresses critical issues such as driver recruiting, retention, compliance, and health and wellness. In 2016, Jeremy founded...
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The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales with Jennie Malafarina
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “The Dark Funnel Demystified: Unlocking Hidden Sales”, and , the CEO of Virago Marketing, discuss how businesses can drive measurable revenue growth by understanding and leveraging the invisible customer journey. About Jennie Malafarina is the CEO of Virago Marketing, a Cleveland-based agency helping transportation and logistics companies turn marketing into a revenue-driving engine. Since taking the lead at Virago in 2020, she has elevated the agency’s impact—guiding strategies that deliver measurable results aligned with client growth goals. With over a decade of experience in...
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The Skill Gap Epidemic: How Untrained Workers Are Holding You Back with Cary Dittmann
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “The Skill Gap Epidemic: How Untrained Workers Are Holding You Back”, and , the the Chief Operating Officer at FreightPath, discuss the critical challenges facing the global logistics industry and how targeted workforce development is essential for overcoming the widening skills gap. About Cary Dittman is the Chief Operating Officer at FreightPath, where he leads the company’s efforts to scale operations, forge strategic partnerships, and advance its mission to modernize supply chain education. With over 40 years of experience in logistics, technology, and enterprise growth, Cary...
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Freight Downturn: What Winners Do to Gain Ground with Nick Klingensmith
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “Freight Downturn: What Winners Do to Gain Ground”, and , the Founder of Stride Motivation, discuss how professionals can adopt an endurance athlete's mindset to overcome fear, rejection, and self-limiting beliefs in the face of a challenging freight market. About Nick Klingensmith After being thrown out of a Las Vegas hotel in a drunken haze, jeopardizing his career and relationships, had to make a change. A 4-time cancer survivor, type-1 diabetic, recovering alcoholic with herniated discs, nerve damage and sleep apnea, he defies it all when he finds Obstacle Course Racing. Refusing...
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Warp is The LTL Network of the Future with Daniel Sokolovsky
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “Warp is The LTL Network of the Future”, and , the Co-Founder and CEO of Warp, discuss how Warp's technology-powered freight network is modernizing LTL logistics across the U.S. by connecting shippers, cross-docks, and carriers through a single operating system to enable flexible, efficient, and highly visible freight movement. About Daniel Sokolovsky is the Co-Founder and CEO of Warp, a technology-powered freight network modernizing LTL logistics across the U.S. He grew up in the world of freight. His parents ran a courier business, so missed ETAs, late-night scrambles, and broken...
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From Farm to Fork: A Broker's Guide to Food Safety and Cold Chain Logistics with Brian Hastings
The Logistics of Logistics Podcast
In “From Farm to Fork: A Broker's Guide to Food Safety and Cold Chain Logistics”, and , the CEO and Co-founder of Veritas Logistics, discuss the critical role of human-centric logistics and strong partnerships in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of food. About Brian Hastings is the CEO and Co-founder of Veritas Logistics, a third-party logistics firm founded in 2020 that prioritizes people and operates with core values of truth, partnership, passion, positivity, and service to provide customized transportation solutions. With over 15 years in the freight brokerage...
info_outlineIn “How Humanoid Robots are Shaping the Future of Logistics”, Joe Lynch and Parker Conroy, Head of Product at Apptronik, discuss how Apollo, a human-centered, AI-powered humanoid robot, is set to transform the industry by working alongside humans to fill labor gaps and perform a wide range of tasks in a safe and efficient manner.
About Parker Conroy
Parker Conroy is the Head of Product at Apptronik, a leading developer of humanoid robots. Conroy has worked in robotics for more than a decade, guiding product management teams to design and deploy thousands of industrial robotic arms, autonomous mobile robots, drones, and now, humanoid robots. Prior to Apptronik, he was Director of Robotics Product Development at Verizon, where he led product management and robotics strategy in 5G and multi-access edge computing. Conroy previously spent five-plus years leading mobile robotics development at Omron Robotics and Safety. His graduate research focused on optimal control of UAV swarms, which led him directly into developing teams that designed the features of one of the first industrial autonomous fleet control systems. Parker’s experience guides development roadmaps that target cutting-edge research grounded in reliable architectures, balancing innovation with mature technologies.
About Apptronik
Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered humanoid robots. Our goal is to create human helpers to support humanity in every facet of life. Our robot, Apollo, is designed to collaborate thoughtfully with humans—initially in critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. Apollo is the culmination of nearly a decade of development, drawing on Apptronik’s extensive work on 15 previous robots, including NASA’s Valkyrie robot. Apptronik started out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin and has over 150 employees.
Key Takeaways: How Humanoid Robots are Shaping the Future of Logistics
- Human-Centered Robotics: Apptronik's core philosophy is to create human-centric helpers, not replacements. The company aims for a future where robots and humans work together to enhance human capabilities and improve quality of life, starting in logistics and expanding to other industries.
- Addressing Labor Shortages: The Apollo humanoid robot is designed to fill critical labor gaps in the logistics and manufacturing sectors. By automating repetitive and physically demanding tasks, it allows human workers to be upskilled to higher-value, more rewarding roles.
- Humanoid Form Factor Advantage: The humanoid design of Apollo allows it to operate seamlessly within existing, human-centric environments. This eliminates the need for expensive facility redesigns, making integration into warehouses and factories much more efficient compared to other types of robots.
- Safety and Collaboration: Apollo is equipped with an advanced force control architecture, enabling it to work safely alongside humans in shared spaces. This makes it a "collaborative robot" or "cobot," removing the need for safety cages and allowing for closer interaction with human colleagues.
- Versatile Platform: Unlike single-purpose robots, Apollo is a general-purpose platform. Its versatile design and AI capabilities mean it can be programmed to handle a wide range of tasks, providing a highly adaptable solution for companies looking to automate various processes.
- Balanced Innovation: Parker Conroy's extensive experience in robotics ensures that Apptronik's development roadmaps balance cutting-edge research with practical, reliable architectures. This approach guarantees that the products are not only innovative but also robust and ready for real-world deployment.
- Strong Foundation: Apptronik's origins from the University of Texas's Human Centered Robotics Lab and its extensive history developing 15 previous robots, including NASA's Valkyrie, give it a solid foundation. This academic and research-driven background underpins the rigorous engineering behind the Apollo robot.