BitBuilders - The Construction Robotics Podcast

“Customers are not buying a robot. They’re buying uptime.” Péter, Co-founder and CEO of Anybotics, started building four-legged robots as a student at ETH Zurich with zero business plan. Just curiosity about whether a machine could climb stairs like a mountain goat. Then oil and gas companies came knocking. Their facilities were full of stairs, confined spaces, and hazardous zones, and they needed something to walk through them daily, collecting data that fixed sensors couldn’t catch. Today, Anybotics has hundreds of robots deployed globally. In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Péter from Anybotics and we got to dig into how a university spin-out became one of the most commercially deployed robotics companies in heavy industry. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why four-legged robots beat drones and fixed sensors in real industrial environments  ✅ How Anybotics uses AI across the full stack, from reinforcement learning locomotion to predictive maintenance  ✅ The truth about hardware commoditization and why cheaper quadrupeds aren’t a threat to mission-critical deployments  ✅ Why deploying robots in refineries is closer to implementing SAP than buying a car 🎧 Watch now on Spotify & YouTube. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:45 Introduction to Anybotics and Robotics Journey 03:17 Customer Discovery and Use Case Exploration 06:29 Challenges in Industrial Inspection 11:39 Technical Requirements for Quadruped Robots 16:26 Integration and Deployment Challenges 22:52 Market Dynamics and Future Outlook 24:09 Partnerships and System Integration 26:16 The Future of Robotics and OEMs 28:55 Humanoids vs. Specialized Robots 33:02 AI and Robotics: A Perfect Match 39:52 Building Trust and Reliability in Robotics 44:40 Advice for Aspiring Robotics Builders

“I talked to 600+ investors. For the first 10 years, we raised just €10 million. One US investor looked me in the eye and said Luca, you’re a liar. It’s all fake. It’s impossible.” He wasn’t lying. He was building the first logistics company for outer space. In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Luca Rossettini, CEO & Founder of D-Orbit, and we got to learn about how a failed astronaut dream turned into a 600-person space logistics company,  why Europe’s engineering talent gave them an unexpected edge over the US, the wild roadmap from recycling dead satellites to building ships that reach Mars… and so much more. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How D-Orbit went from a 3-person team selling to $400M satellite operators and why nobody trusted them  ✅ Why Luca came back from NASA to start in Italy instead of staying in Silicon Valley (and the brutal reality of “just go to the US” advice)  ✅ The vision for orbital warehouses, cloud computing in space, and laser energy stations that sound like sci-fi but are actually on the roadmap  ✅ His raw answer on what it takes to build something in an industry where “the experts are experts of the past, not experts of the future” Oh, and his definition of personal success? Not revenue. Not an IPO. He wants to personally pilot his own spaceship. That’s it. That’s why he built the whole thing. 🎧 Watch now on Spotify & Youtube 👇 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Orbit and Its Vision 01:58 The Evolution of The Orbit’s Products 06:03 Understanding the Satellite Market and Customer Base 09:49 Standardization and Automation in Satellite Manufacturing 15:04 Luca Rossettini’s Journey to Founding The Orbit 22:10 The Global Operations of The Orbit 24:19 Navigating the US Market: Lessons Learned 27:06 Innovative Product Roadmap and Market Timing 31:07 The Importance of Cybersecurity in Space 33:42 Future Business Lines and In-Orbit Services 39:33 Talent Acquisition and Company Culture 42:48 Defining Success in the Space Industry

“I grew up on a farm and when I graduated high school, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was ever set foot on a farm again.” That’s how Craig Rupp started our conversation. Now he’s the founder of Sabanto, turning regular tractors into autonomous machines with retrofit kits. In today’s episode of BitBulders, we had Craig Rupp explain to us from first principles how autonomy is flipping CapEx economics on its head allowing farmers to invest in mode land and retain more of their labor pools. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why autonomy increases time and reduces the need for expensive horsepower ✅ The economics behind retrofit kits vs buying new autonomous tractors ✅ Why the next generation of farmers thinks completely different about technology Go check this out on Spotify! ———— Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Craig Rupp and Sabanto 02:44 Craig’s Journey from Engineering to Agriculture 05:49 The Concept of Retrofitting Tractors 08:46 The Importance of Dealer Relationships in Agriculture 11:51 Generational Shifts in Farming and Technology Adoption 14:40 Economic Incentives for Automation in Agriculture 17:31 Quality of Life and Scaling Operations with Autonomy 20:24 Challenges and Opportunities in Autonomous Farming 23:36 The Future of Tech-Forward Farms 26:17 The Role of Connectivity in Agriculture 29:17 The Need for Skilled Workers in Ag Tech 32:23 The Rise of Drone Technology in Agriculture 35:05 The Shift in Farmer Mindsets Towards Autonomy 38:12 OEMs and the Innovator’s Dilemma 40:45 The Future of Autonomy and Commoditization in Agriculture 43:55 Business Models for Selling Autonomy in Agriculture 46:53 Advice for Founders in Ag Tech 49:39 Lessons Learned from Sabanto’s Journey

“95% of warehouses today use the same technology they did 100 years ago – pallets, forklifts, and racks. When I look at a Costco, I’m seeing how a modern warehouse operates, but also how a century-old warehouse operates.” In today’s episode of Bitbuilders, we had Chris Walti, founder and CEO of Mytra, who’s revolutionizing warehouse automation after spending 8 years at Tesla. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Mytra turns warehousing into a software problem, using just 3 hardware components instead of thousands ✅ Why humanoid robots are “icing on the cake” while the real opportunity is in material flow ✅ The six dimensions of warehouse efficiency and how Mytra improves each one ✅ Lessons from Tesla: decoupling critical operations from dependencies creates resilient systems Listen to the full conversation to learn how Mytra is making warehouses 2-10x more efficient while reducing costs and improving flexibility!

“In Scandinavia, 90% of single-family homes are manufactured in factories. It’s nothing special – it’s the norm.” In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Helena Lidelow, a Swedish modular construction expert with 12+ years at Lindbacks and now with Volumetric Building Companies. She broke down why modular construction dominates in Scandinavia and what the US industry can learn. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why labor costs and climate drive modular innovation in Scandinavia ✅ The critical difference between volumetric and panelized construction approaches ✅ How to measure factory efficiency (hint: man-hours per module is key) ✅ Why venture capital’s quick-return expectations clash with modular construction’s long-term needs —— Chapters 00:00 Intro 05:50 Introduction to Modular Building in Scandinavia 08:51 The Evolution of Modular Construction in Sweden 11:47 Lindbaks: A Legacy in Modular Building 14:55 Transition to Volumetric Building Companies 17:35 Understanding Volumetric vs. Panelized Modular 20:52 Factory Operations and Throughput Metrics 40:50 Understanding Man Hours in Modular Construction 44:57 The Future of Modular Manufacturing 45:54 Technological Innovations in Construction 53:48 Attracting Young Talent to the Industry 59:47 Navigating Financial Strategies for Modular Construction 01:07:00 Advice for Young Engineers in Construction —— 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 —— LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

From design studios to Hollywood robots to Google – this founder’s journey shows why staying tenacious in deep tech pays off. In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant, share his fascinating path from running an animation studio to leading a company that’s revolutionizing how humans interact with robot fleets. Tune in to discover: ✅ How Jeff went from art school to controlling Hollywood cameras with industrial robots ✅ Why Google acquired his company and the lessons learned as an acquired founder ✅ The untold challenges of making robot fleets work together (and why full autonomy isn’t the answer) ✅ Why the future of robotics lies in data infrastructure and human-robot collaboration Want to hear Jeff’s insights on building deep tech companies and navigating the entrepreneurial journey from creative industries to frontier tech? Listen to the full episode on Spotify.

“Robots driving on ceilings? It’s not science fiction, it’s the future of warehouse automation.” In today’s episode of Bitbuilders, we had Yegor Anchyshkin, CEO of InStock, and we got to learn about the fascinating world of automated storage and retrieval systems, the challenges of robotics startups, and the future of warehouse automation. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How InStock is revolutionizing warehouse automation with ceiling-driving robots ✅ The importance of de-risking customers when selling new technology ✅ Why humanoid robots might not be the best solution for all automation needs ✅ The key to impressing customers with robotics demos —- Chapters 04:13 Introduction to Yegor and InStock 07:23 The Challenges of Robotics in E-commerce 10:27 Yegor’s Background and Early Ventures 13:19 Transitioning to Robotics and Automation 16:00 Understanding the Market for Robotics 19:00 Technological Barriers to Adoption 22:14 Innovative Robot Design and Architecture 25:22 The Importance of Performance and Cost 27:59 InStock’s Unique System Overview 31:13 Human-Robot Interaction in Warehousing 34:19 Flexibility and Modularity in Operations 37:13 Customer Needs and Market Adaptation 40:01 Deployment Strategies for Automation 43:10 Organizational Structure and Product Development 48:13 Building Confidence in Automation 50:07 The Role of System Integrators 51:20 Business Models for Automation 53:06 De-risking Customer Relationships 58:18 Future of Warehouse Automation 1:05:05 Challenges of Humanoid Robots 1:14:00 Advice for Founders in Robotics

“I’ve made every single mistake that exists in running startups.” – Massimo Banzi, co-founder of Arduino Our host, Gabriele Tinelli – investor at Foundamental, Aerospace Engineer and hardware nerd – sits down with Massimo Banzi, the co-creator of Arduino. They discuss the evolution of open-source hardware, the challenges of building a global brand, and the future of edge computing in robotics. Banzi shares insights on making technology accessible to beginners while still serving professionals. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning in tech education and reflects on the changing landscape of open-source projects. —- Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:30 Introduction to Interaction Design and Massimo Banzi 09:44 The Birth of Arduino: A Prototyping Revolution 19:35 Arduino’s Evolution: From Hobbyist to Professional Tool 29:20 The Arduino Community and Open Source Philosophy 36:27 Future Trends: Arduino and AI Integration 39:50 Integrating Arduino into Systems 41:24 The Power of Edge Computing 42:40 Advancements in Computer Vision for Robotics 46:04 The Role of AI in Robotics 47:32 Lessons from Startup Experiences 52:53 The Evolution of Open Source 54:43 Encouraging Young Innovators 1:01:16 Current Projects and Future Aspirations 1:05:41 Advice for Educators and Future Generations

“The future of logistics isn’t about more trains or trucks – it’s about erasing the line between them.” In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Kevin Damoa, founder of Glid, who’s revolutionizing freight transport by tackling the industry’s biggest pain point: the costly and time-consuming transload process between rail and road. From fighting fires in California to designing rocket transport systems at SpaceX, Kevin brings unique insights into why our current logistics infrastructure is holding back American manufacturing and how automation could transform port communities. Tune in to learn about: ✅ Why transloading a single container can cost up to $2,500 and add weeks to shipping times ✅ How ports like Rotterdam handle 3x the capacity of U.S. ports through automation ✅ Why trains won’t move until they’re 2 miles long (and what that means for your shipping costs) ✅ The untold story of how poor infrastructure affects port-adjacent communities —– Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:30 Introduction to Kevin Damoa 05:53 Military Logistics Experience 09:05 Transitioning to SpaceX 15:39 Life After SpaceX 22:24 The Birth of Glide 27:01 Challenges in American Rail Infrastructure 29:54 The Glide Vehicle Design 35:16 Future Applications and Industries for Glide 35:18 Partnerships and Initial Use Cases 37:34 Business Model and Pricing Strategy 40:45 Challenges in Execution and Regulation 42:55 Building a Mission-Driven Team 46:18 Social Issues in Logistics and Labor 50:54 Future of Automation in Ports 54:20 Innovations in Freight and Passenger Rail 1:02:10 Vision for Glide in the Next Decade 1:05:31 Advice for Founders in Hard Industries

Did you know that excavation machines produce 50% more greenhouse gases worldwide than commercial aviation? In today’st episode of BitBuilders, Ken Gray, co-founder of DIG Robotics, talks about the fascinating world of excavation machines and their impact on our infrastructure. He even shares about his 33-year journey at Caterpillar, from designing components to running billion-dollar businesses. Tune in to find out about: ✅ The staggering environmental impact of excavation machines ✅ How CAT maintained its dominant position for decades ✅ The challenges of automating excavators in construction ✅ The surprising variability in operator performance and its impact on productivity Listen to the full episode on Spotify to uncover the hidden world of excavation and its crucial role in shaping our built environment.

“We have the world’s tallest autonomous robot. It’s over 14 meters tall.” In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Andrei, Co-founder and CEO of Dexory, who shared insights on building a global visibility platform for logistics. We explored the journey from Formula One engineering to revolutionizing warehouse operations with autonomous robots. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How F1 experience inspired a logistics innovation ✅ The challenges of creating a full-stack robotics company ✅ Solving critical pain points in modern warehousing ✅ The power of digital twins in optimizing logistics operations Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Dexory is transforming the logistics industry with cutting-edge robotics and AI technology.

Are small nuclear reactors the key to solving our energy challenges? 🤔 In today’s episode of BitBuilders, we had Michelle, VP of Strategy at Last Energy, sharing insights on micro modular nuclear power plants and their potential impact on clean energy. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why nuclear power is crucial for baseload energy and decarbonization ✅ How Last Energy is tackling cost and construction challenges ✅ The importance of modular design and standardization in nuclear projects ✅ Why Europe is a prime market for small nuclear reactors Curious to learn more about the future of nuclear energy and its role in construction? Listen to the full episode on Spotify!