Mai Bui Wants To Save The "Powerpoint Engineer" From Docs Hell episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 24, 2025 · 59 MIN

Mai Bui Wants To Save The "Powerpoint Engineer" From Docs Hell

from TOOL or DIE Podcast - Reindustrialize, Rebuild, or Retire · host Joel Johnson

🎙️ Mai Bui, co-founder and CEO of Quarter 20, joins Tool or Die to discuss how they’re revolutionizing documentation for manufacturing and why automating assembly instructions is critical for scaling U.S. industry. With experience at SpaceX, Tesla, and Alta Motors, Mai brings deep insight into the challenges of bringing hardware products to market, from battery safety to robotics to manufacturing inefficiencies. Plus, a deep dive into the state of smart locks (and why they’re still frustratingly bad).TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction02:20 The wild inefficiencies of smart locks08:45 Mai’s background in engineering and manufacturing14:10 How Quarter 20 automates manufacturing documentation22:00 The challenge of making good assembly instructions31:40 The factory floor reality vs. automation myths38:10 Quarter 20’s roadmap and AI’s role in documentation45:30 Lightning Round: Cars, screws, and oil rigsKey Topics:* Why smart locks are still bad and what should be done about it* Lessons from working at SpaceX, Tesla, and Alta Motors* The huge gaps in manufacturing documentation and how to fix them* Why reshoring U.S. manufacturing requires better software tools* How Quarter 20 is making factory documentation smarter, faster, and more adaptable* The challenges of automation and robotics in real-world manufacturing👉 Follow: @buildquarter20Website: buildquarter20.comTOOL OR DIE is produced by Johnson & Roy (Johnson-Roy.com), a strategic advisory firm specializing in technology, mobility, manufacturing, and robotics. Your hosts are Joel Johnson, a former technology journalist and media executive who pioneered brands like Gizmodo, Jalopnik, and Wirecutter, and Alex Roy, a General Partner at New Industry Venture Capital (NIVC.us) known for breaking the Cannonball Run record and his work in autonomous vehicles.Follow them at:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexroy | linkedin.com/in/joeljohnsonX: @alexroy144 | @joeljohnsonWeb: johnson-roy.com#Manufacturing #Entrepreneurship #Automation #SmartFactories #AmericanMade Get full access to TOOL or DIE at www.toolordie.com/subscribe

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Mai Bui Wants To Save The "Powerpoint Engineer" From Docs Hell

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This episode is 59 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 24, 2025.

What is this episode about?

🎙️ Mai Bui, co-founder and CEO of Quarter 20, joins Tool or Die to discuss how they’re revolutionizing documentation for manufacturing and why automating assembly instructions is critical for scaling U.S. industry. With experience at SpaceX, Tesla,...

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