How Gecko Robotics is Transforming Asset Management Using Robot Inspectors - Troy Demmer

Are robots the future of infrastructure safety? This startup's journey might surprise you. In this episode of Bricks and Bytes, Gabriele got a chance to interview Troy Demmer, co-founder of Gecko Robotics. We learned about Troy's journey from healthcare to robotics, the challenges of building hardware startups, and how Gecko is transforming infrastructure maintenance for both private and public sectors... and many more! Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Gecko's robots collect 10 million data points in a day vs. 10,000 manually in a week ✅ The importance of finding the right early customers for hardware startups ✅ Navigating the complexities of government contracts and public sector work ✅ Why selling outcomes as a service can be a game-changer for robotics companies For those who are new, BitBuilders is all about diving deep into the world of construction robotics and the innovators shaping the future of the built environment. Note: This episode is a Re-Release from BitBuilders Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital  —---------------------------------- BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed.  00:00 Intro to the Episode and Our Sponsors 02:00 Introduction and Background 04:12 Understanding the Built World and Asset Life Cycle 07:47 Focus on Power Boilers and Expansion to Other Structures 15:11 Delivering a Service for Asset Health Clarity 23:52 Selling a Comprehensive Health Map of Assets 25:04 Granular Data and Actionable Maps for Asset Health 27:08 Robotic Inspections and Gathering Data While Assets are Online 28:36 Data-Driven Decision-Making for Asset Lifecycle Management 29:28 Meeting Customer Needs for Novel Inspection Methods 31:14 Using Tech Stack for Future Planning and Thoughtful Decision-Making 32:42 Gecko Robotics' Small but Mighty Fleet of Robots 34:43 Supply Chain Resilience and Lessons Learned in Manufacturing Robotics 37:33 Gecko Robotics' Entry into the Public Sector and Focus on Critical Infrastructure 41:34 Working with the US Navy to Improve Ship Maintenance and Construction 48:21 Challenges of Navigating Bureaucracy in the Public Sector 50:11 Advice for Founders in the Built World: Prioritize Customer Problem-Solving