Deepak Jayaraj, VP of Hardware & Manufacturing at Four Growers

In this episode we speak with Deepak Jayaraj, VP of Hardware at Four Growers, a robotics company focused on autonomous harvesting in greenhouse environments.Deepak shares his journey from control systems and space robotics in India to scaling real-world products across medical devices and agriculture. He explains what it takes to move from a working prototype to a reliable product deployed in the field, and why most robotics companies underestimate that gap.The conversation explores the challenges of building hardware that operates in unpredictable environments, how AI is shaping hardware development, and why systems thinking is critical for engineers working in robotics. Deepak also reflects on scaling under pressure during COVID, building manufacturing infrastructure from scratch, and what it takes to deliver products that create real value for customers.The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.