In this episode:

• The critical shift from robot deployment to operational reliability and scalability
• Mistakes that cause field failures and how to prevent them through better support systems
• Why the handoff process from product development to operational support is vital
• The expanding global landscape: where the most innovation is happening in robotics
• Why robotics will increasingly be integrated into every business, becoming the new standard
• The path toward humanoid robots and the breakthroughs needed to get there

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Robotics success metrics beyond shipping
• 02:00 - Keeping robot fleets operational at scale
• 03:45 - Why robots fail in the field
• 05:00 - The importance of post-deployment support
• 08:00 - From product mindset to service mindset
• 09:45 - Global robotics deployment challenges
• 13:30 - Applying diagnostics lessons to robotics
• 16:45 - Privacy, trust, and user engagement
• 18:10 - Managing increasingly complex robot fleets
• 19:50 - Vendors, end users, and future command centers
• 22:00 - IT infrastructure parallels in robotics
• 24:13 - Fleet management and modular robotics systems
• 27:00 - Robotics innovation across the US, Europe, and LATAM
• 29:00 - The growing robotics talent gap
• 30:50 - Robotics and US manufacturing resurgence
• 33:00 - Adaptability and resilience in tech progress
• 34:05 - Focused robots vs humanoids
• 35:50 - Teleoperation and robotic perception
• 37:30 - From task-specific robots to humanoids
• 40:00 - Insights from Modex and global robotics hubs
• 44:25 - Surprising innovations and global competition
• 48:20 - Why the US leads robotics innovation
• 52:25 - Family, opportunity, and global careers
• 55:00 - What to learn now: Python, economics, support ops
• 56:10 - Human creativity and adaptability
• 59:00 - Human-robot interaction in 2050

Resources & Links:

• Robotic Crew
• Modex Conference
• Pittsburgh Robotics (CMU)
• Boston Dynamics

Connect with Richard Petrazzini:

• LinkedIn

Jennie shares her insights on supply chains, regulatory standards, offshore vs. domestic manufacturing, and how robotics startups can navigate this complex ecosystem effectively.

Key Topics:

• The strategic importance of early decision-making in PCB design, testing, and supply chain considerations
• How to choose manufacturing locations based on product type, regulation, and geopolitical factors
• Cost estimates for PCBA in high-volume applications like autonomous vehicles
• Regulatory impact on PCB design for sectors such as DOD and medical devices
• How to future-proof supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainties
• The advantages of US-based manufacturing and its limitations in cost competitiveness
• Practical advice for robotics entrepreneurs on product development cycles from prototypes to mass production
• The evolving role of AI and technical skills needed for new entrants in robotics
• Insights into global manufacturing ecosystems: China, Vietnam, Philippines, and the USA

Timestamps:

00:00 - Coming out of engineering: next steps in robotics hardware

02:01 - Jennie Nguyen's journey to CEO of PCB Tech

04:04 - Breakdown of PCB Tech's customer sectors and growth areas

09:58 - Designing PCBs for robotics vs. consumer electronics

11:03 - Impact of regulation: DOD, medical, and certification processes

13:31 - How a robotics startup can navigate the PCB supply chain

15:00 - Cost considerations for PCBA in high-volume applications

17:08 - Profit margins in mass production and typical mistakes to avoid

19:07 - How global sourcing and sourcing scale reduce costs

21:02 - Manufacturing ecosystems: China, Vietnam, Philippines, US trends

23:36 - The future of domestic and high-value PCB manufacturing in the US

25:41 - When to outsource manufacturing and in-house considerations

27:20 - Design for manufacturability (DFX) and testing strategies

31:53 - Jennie’s vision for PCB Tech: Impact, impact, impact

34:33 - Women in PCB and robotics: challenges and opportunities

36:46 - Advice for women entrepreneurs and engineers entering robotics

38:34 - Skills in demand: AI, geopolitical awareness, technical competence

42:19 - Adapting to geopolitical risks in product design

44:40 - Future of PCB and manufacturing in the next decade

49:24 - Visualizing the world in 2050: Jetsons-style innovation and positivity

50:24 - Closing thoughts on leadership, investment, and industry evolution

Resources & Links:

• Understanding SMT (Surface Mount Technology)
• ISO 13485 Certification Details
• AS9100 Aerospace Standard
• ITAR Regulatory Information
• Global Supply Chain Insights

Connect with Jennie Nguyen:

• LinkedIn

Ali unpacks Bibhrajit's decision to exit, the acquisition process, the sense of unfinished business, and future plans. We also cover advice for new graduates and a lightning round of insights and perspectives on the future of autonomy and physical AI. You don't want to miss this episode!

Takeaways

• The importance of understanding the physical world when building physical AI
• The challenges of scaling from prototype to production Sticking to the fundamentals of understanding a problem is crucial for scaling a business
• Building relationships and trust is essential in closed ecosystems
• The mindset and thought process of fundraising is critical for startup success
• Storytelling is important for investors to understand the vision and potential of a business
• The sale and exit story of Safe AI to Uber.
• Unfinished business in the autonomy industry drives future plans and a focus on physical AI.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Autonomy
• 05:49 Transition to Safe AI and Entrepreneurial Journey
• 11:48 Physical AI and the Challenges of the Physical World
• 22:07 Scaling from Prototype to Production
• 26:47 Understanding the Physical World
• 33:03 Scaling Safe AI
• 41:15 Deployment and Sales Cycle
• 52:25 Fundraising and Storytelling
• 01:05:09 Exit Story: Sale to Pronto
• 01:11:17 Advice for New Graduates
• 01:22:33 Lightning Round: Insights and Perspectives

Key insights include:

• The vision of democratizing warehouse automation through compact, vertical systems that utilize lightweight magnetic robots.
• The advantages of digital twin technology for rapid, high-fidelity simulation and layout modeling before deployment.
• Strategies to minimize disruption during implementation, emphasizing small beginnings and phased rollouts.
• The evolving role of software: controlling swarm behavior, pre-calculating trajectories, and hardware management via simulation tools.
• The criticality of user experience and intuitive design for operational adoption, including quick onboarding and safety assurances.
• The future landscape: smaller, more adaptable warehouses, reducing costs, and bringing automation closer to consumers.
• Challenges in the robotics industry: balancing promise and realistic deployment, and managing investment risks amid hype.

In this episode:

• The inspiration behind 3Laws and its connection to Asimov's laws of robotics
• Why safety layers are essential for autonomous systems beyond physical barriers
• The limitations of current safety approaches in industry and the need for deterministic safety layers
• How safety influences performance, trust, and market acceptance of robots
• The impact of regulatory standards across different industries (defense, automotive, medtech)
• The misconceptions fueling humanoid robot hype and the importance of task-specific design
• The analogy of cybersecurity’s assumption of breaches with robotics safety design
• Why cascading failures pose the biggest risk in autonomous factories and supply chains
• The generational shift in safety perception and trust in autonomous technology
• The economic and strategic importance of integrating safety into product development

Resources & Links:

• 3Laws - Safety layer for autonomous systems
• Isaac Asimov’s Laws of Robotics
• Cisco Systems
• Palo Alto Networks
• IEEE Robotics Standards
• ISO Robotics Safety Standards
• Computer History Museum

Key Topics:

• The origin story of Stakabl and the innovative ceiling grid concept
• Why overhead space is an untapped resource for storage and robotics
• Applications spanning smart homes, micro-fulfillment centers, and reverse logistics
• The detailed mechanical design process behind Stakabl, from sketches to CAD to prototypes
• Challenges in integrating multiple sub-systems and ensuring scalability
• The analogy between art (painting) and engineering in system design
• The role of experience versus youth in engineering and building hardware products
• Designing for maintenance, longevity, and safety in robotic systems
• The parallels between the shipping container revolution and Tray-based ecosystems
• Vision for ceiling robotics as a category and data-driven logistics platform

The conversation covers topics related to revolutionizing packaging ecosystems, logistics and order fulfillment, micro fulfillment centers, lessons from manufacturing and hardware founders, design principles, personal commitment, leadership and decision-making, designing for longevity and maintenance, and advice for mechanical engineers.

00:00 Introduction to Ken Miller and Stakabl Robotics

01:14 The Eureka Moment: Rethinking Storage Solutions

03:40 Applications of Stackable Robotics in Homes and Industry

06:01 The Vision for the Future of Robotics

08:22 Ken Miller's Journey: From Engineer to Entrepreneur

10:21 The Design Process: From Concept to Prototype

12:59 Exploring the Stackable System: Components and Functionality

15:21 Challenges in Mechanical Design and Integration

17:43 Safety Considerations in Overhead Robotics

19:11 The Future of Robotics: Environmental Impact and Sustainability

25:38 The Potential of Ceiling Robotics

32:51 Micro Fulfillment and Logistics Innovations

39:03 Lessons from Manufacturing and Hardware Development

44:50 Lightning Round: Quick Insights and Reflections

Resources:

www.stakabl.com

www.RobotBuildersClub.org

https://www.linkedin.com/company/robotbuildersclub-org

• Shak's journey from design to robotics and the founding story of Hello Robo
• Challenges in designing human-robot interfaces and the role of empathy
• The balance between engineering-driven and user-centered design in robotics startups
• Key features that foster operator trust and safety
• The importance of rapid iteration and testing with real users
• How emotional design and micro-movements make robots feel more human
• The future of multimodal interfaces: voice, AR, haptics, and beyond
• Lessons learned from deploying robots in real-world environments
• Leadership tips for building a resilient and human-centric team

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Shak’s background in design and robotics

02:30 - The importance of responding to community and fostering connections

05:00 - Transition from UX to robotics and founding Hello Robo

07:20 - Common challenges in human-robot interface design

09:45 - How operators perceive and trust robotic systems

11:17 - When should robotics startups develop their own interfaces?

13:49 - The misconception of autonomy and the importance of trust phases

15:42 - How to handle information overload and visibility in interfaces

18:29 - Critical UI elements for safety, such as emergency stops

21:12 - Building confidence and transparency during robot deployment

22:37 - Emotional design: making robots feel trustworthy and safe

24:49 - What operators really need versus what founders assume they want

26:51 - Rapid feedback cycles: testing and iterating with real operators

28:04 - Exploring multimodal interfaces—voice, AR, haptics

31:28 - VR in robotics and its current challenges and potential

33:50 - Understanding what real-time system data operators should see

36:20 - The process of tailoring interfaces for specific users and contexts

38:04 - Overcoming cultural and habit barriers in adoption

39:33 - The critical role of safety and managing risk

41:00 - The importance of simple and decisive control mechanisms

43:39 - Leadership insights: building a human-centric, resilient team

45:32 - Advice for entrepreneurs entering the human-robot interface space

48:43 - The subtle art of micro-movements and emotional cues in robots

51:52 - Future outlook: AI, robotics, and societal shifts

54:45 - Lightning round: quick takes on interfaces, features, and sci-fi dreams

Resources & Links:

• Hello Robo — Official website
• Shak's LinkedIn
• RobotBuildersClub.org

We explore the current industry gaps, the parallels with human health, and how a focus on maintenance can extend robot longevity, reduce costs, and accelerate adoption. Whether you're a founder, operator, or investor, these insights clarify why maintenance is the key to unlocking scalable and resilient robotic systems.

Key Topics:

• The undervaluation of maintenance in robotics and its impact on project failure
• The end-to-end software solutions for proactive maintenance management
• How preventive maintenance can significantly extend robot lifespan and reduce costs
• Lessons from automotive industry emphasizing repeatability and scale
• The cultural and organizational shifts needed for effective robot deployment
• Future trends: AI-enhanced physical systems and their adoption milestones
• The analogy between human longevity and robotic longevity through preventive care
• Common myths about robotics adoption and the reality of implementation timelines
• The importance of company culture and skills in managing robotic operations
• The role of data-driven maintenance in transforming industries from logistics to wind energy

Resources & Links:

• Waku Robotics - Official website of Victor’s company
• lotsofbots.com - Database of mobile robots for benchmarking and insights
• Andrew Huberman Podcast - For insights on neuroscience, well-being, and performance
• Dexterity Robotics - Example client scaling robotics solutions

  This conversation underscores that as robotics matures, maintenance and the strategic orchestration of operational resilience will be at the core of successful deployment. Leaders who understand and prioritize preventative care will lead the next wave of automation, transforming not just productivity but also human well-being. Embracing data-driven maintenance isn't just a technical upgrade it's a fundamental shift towards systems that last, perform, and adapt.
  

In this 3rd episode of RobotBuildersClub.org, Alvaro, founder of Mercurius, explains why multimodal robots are the next leap in autonomy — and what most robotics teams get wrong.

What if that’s the wrong approach?

In episode 2 of Robot Builders Club, Ali Afzal sits down with Lone Bekkeheien, founder of Marsilia Robotics, who’s building a new abstraction layer for robotics: one where humans talk to robots the same way we talk to other people.

Lone breaks down why today’s “collaborative” robots still aren’t truly collaborative, how natural language interfaces can unlock high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, and why software not hardware is the real bottleneck holding robotics back. Drawing from her background in cybernetics and robotics and her journey from Norway’s robotics ecosystem to San Francisco, she cuts through the hype around embodied AI, humanoids, and LLMs to explain what actually works in production.

If you care about making robots usable, scalable, and accessible beyond elite experts, this conversation will change how you think about human–robot collaboration.

In this first-ever RobotBuildersClub.org conversation, Shamoon Siddiqui discusses his journey from software engineering to founding Human Friendly Robotics, focusing on the development of Tyler, a tiling robot. He shares insights on the challenges of robotics, the importance of customer feedback, and the dynamics of building a startup team. The discussion also covers the fundraising process and the future of automation in the construction industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing technological landscape.