RobotBuildersClub.org

In this episode of RobotBuildersClub.org Podcast, Ali Afzal explores the intricate world of PCB design and manufacturing through the lens of the Queen of PCB Manufacturing - Jennie Nguyen, CEO of PCB Tech. 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 considerationsHow to choose manufacturing locations based on product type, regulation, and geopolitical factorsCost estimates for PCBA in high-volume applications like autonomous vehiclesRegulatory impact on PCB design for sectors such as DOD and medical devicesHow to future-proof supply chains amid geopolitical uncertaintiesThe advantages of US-based manufacturing and its limitations in cost competitivenessPractical advice for robotics entrepreneurs on product development cycles from prototypes to mass productionThe evolving role of AI and technical skills needed for new entrants in roboticsInsights into global manufacturing ecosystems: China, Vietnam, Philippines, and the USATimestamps:00:00 - Coming out of engineering: next steps in robotics hardware02:01 - Jennie Nguyen's journey to CEO of PCB Tech04:04 - Breakdown of PCB Tech's customer sectors and growth areas09:58 - Designing PCBs for robotics vs. consumer electronics11:03 - Impact of regulation: DOD, medical, and certification processes13:31 - How a robotics startup can navigate the PCB supply chain15:00 - Cost considerations for PCBA in high-volume applications17:08 - Profit margins in mass production and typical mistakes to avoid19:07 - How global sourcing and sourcing scale reduce costs21:02 - Manufacturing ecosystems: China, Vietnam, Philippines, US trends23:36 - The future of domestic and high-value PCB manufacturing in the US25:41 - When to outsource manufacturing and in-house considerations27:20 - Design for manufacturability (DFX) and testing strategies31:53 - Jennie’s vision for PCB Tech: Impact, impact, impact34:33 - Women in PCB and robotics: challenges and opportunities36:46 - Advice for women entrepreneurs and engineers entering robotics38:34 - Skills in demand: AI, geopolitical awareness, technical competence42:19 - Adapting to geopolitical risks in product design44:40 - Future of PCB and manufacturing in the next decade49:24 - Visualizing the world in 2050: Jetsons-style innovation and positivity50:24 - Closing thoughts on leadership, investment, and industry evolutionResources & Links:Understanding SMT (Surface Mount Technology)ISO 13485 Certification DetailsAS9100 Aerospace StandardITAR Regulatory InformationGlobal Supply Chain InsightsConnect with Jennie Nguyen:LinkedIn

Bibhrajit Halder, CEO of SafeAI delves into the journey of scaling the autonomous mining robotics company Safe AI, the challenges of organizational growth, the deployment and sales cycle, the mindset and thought process of fundraising, the importance of storytelling for investors, and the exit story of SafeAI to Pronto and eventually to Uber.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!TakeawaysThe importance of understanding the physical world when building physical AIThe challenges of scaling from prototype to production Sticking to the fundamentals of understanding a problem is crucial for scaling a businessBuilding relationships and trust is essential in closed ecosystemsThe mindset and thought process of fundraising is critical for startup successStorytelling is important for investors to understand the vision and potential of a businessThe sale and exit story of Safe AI to Uber.Unfinished business in the autonomy industry drives future plans and a focus on physical AI.Chapters00:00 The Journey of Autonomy05:49 Transition to Safe AI and Entrepreneurial Journey11:48 Physical AI and the Challenges of the Physical World22:07 Scaling from Prototype to Production26:47 Understanding the Physical World33:03 Scaling Safe AI41:15 Deployment and Sales Cycle52:25 Fundraising and Storytelling01:05:09 Exit Story: Sale to Pronto01:11:17 Advice for New Graduates01:22:33 Lightning Round: Insights and Perspectives

In this episode of RobotBuildersClub.org, Yegor Anchyshkin, CEO of Instock.com reveals how their robotic system is revolutionizing fulfillment and logistics. Discover how automation is becoming accessible, scalable, and cost-effective for micro-fulfillment centers near consumers.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.

This RobotBuildersClub.org episode explores the critical role of safety in robotics, emphasizing how engineering decisions and market pressures shape outcomes. Amir Sharif, COO of 3Laws, shares his insights on developing universal safety layers, the myths around humanoid robots, and how safety can become a driver of performance and trust, not just a regulatory afterthought. If you're involved in robotics, AI, or autonomous systems, this discussion offers clarity on navigating safety in an uncertain and rapidly evolving landscape.In this episode:The inspiration behind 3Laws and its connection to Asimov's laws of roboticsWhy safety layers are essential for autonomous systems beyond physical barriersThe limitations of current safety approaches in industry and the need for deterministic safety layersHow safety influences performance, trust, and market acceptance of robotsThe impact of regulatory standards across different industries (defense, automotive, medtech)The misconceptions fueling humanoid robot hype and the importance of task-specific designThe analogy of cybersecurity’s assumption of breaches with robotics safety designWhy cascading failures pose the biggest risk in autonomous factories and supply chainsThe generational shift in safety perception and trust in autonomous technologyThe economic and strategic importance of integrating safety into product developmentResources & Links:3Laws - Safety layer for autonomous systemsIsaac Asimov’s Laws of RoboticsCisco SystemsPalo Alto NetworksIEEE Robotics StandardsISO Robotics Safety StandardsComputer History Museum

In ep 7, we explore how ceiling-based robotic systems are poised to transform storage, logistics, and automation in residential, commercial and industrial spaces. Ken Miller, CEO of Stakabl.com shares his journey from complex system design to pioneering a robotics platform for micro fulfillment and beyond that leverages underutilized overhead space, promising a smarter, more efficient logistics and supply chain future.Key Topics:The origin story of Stakabl and the innovative ceiling grid conceptWhy overhead space is an untapped resource for storage and roboticsApplications spanning smart homes, micro-fulfillment centers, and reverse logisticsThe detailed mechanical design process behind Stakabl, from sketches to CAD to prototypesChallenges in integrating multiple sub-systems and ensuring scalabilityThe analogy between art (painting) and engineering in system designThe role of experience versus youth in engineering and building hardware productsDesigning for maintenance, longevity, and safety in robotic systemsThe parallels between the shipping container revolution and Tray-based ecosystemsVision for ceiling robotics as a category and data-driven logistics platformThe 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 Robotics01:14 The Eureka Moment: Rethinking Storage Solutions03:40 Applications of Stackable Robotics in Homes and Industry06:01 The Vision for the Future of Robotics08:22 Ken Miller's Journey: From Engineer to Entrepreneur10:21 The Design Process: From Concept to Prototype12:59 Exploring the Stackable System: Components and Functionality15:21 Challenges in Mechanical Design and Integration17:43 Safety Considerations in Overhead Robotics19:11 The Future of Robotics: Environmental Impact and Sustainability25:38 The Potential of Ceiling Robotics32:51 Micro Fulfillment and Logistics Innovations39:03 Lessons from Manufacturing and Hardware Development44:50 Lightning Round: Quick Insights and ReflectionsResources:www.stakabl.comwww.RobotBuildersClub.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/company/robotbuildersclub-org

In this episode, Shak, CEO of Hello Robo (www.hellorobo.co), shares insights on designing intuitive interfaces for robotics, emphasizing the importance of trust, safety, and understanding human behavior. Discover how UX principles translate to robotics and why focusing on user experience can accelerate adoption and improve deployment outcomes. In this episode:Shak's journey from design to robotics and the founding story of Hello RoboChallenges in designing human-robot interfaces and the role of empathyThe balance between engineering-driven and user-centered design in robotics startupsKey features that foster operator trust and safetyThe importance of rapid iteration and testing with real usersHow emotional design and micro-movements make robots feel more humanThe future of multimodal interfaces: voice, AR, haptics, and beyondLessons learned from deploying robots in real-world environmentsLeadership tips for building a resilient and human-centric teamTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Shak’s background in design and robotics02:30 - The importance of responding to community and fostering connections05:00 - Transition from UX to robotics and founding Hello Robo07:20 - Common challenges in human-robot interface design09:45 - How operators perceive and trust robotic systems11:17 - When should robotics startups develop their own interfaces?13:49 - The misconception of autonomy and the importance of trust phases15:42 - How to handle information overload and visibility in interfaces18:29 - Critical UI elements for safety, such as emergency stops21:12 - Building confidence and transparency during robot deployment22:37 - Emotional design: making robots feel trustworthy and safe24:49 - What operators really need versus what founders assume they want26:51 - Rapid feedback cycles: testing and iterating with real operators28:04 - Exploring multimodal interfaces—voice, AR, haptics31:28 - VR in robotics and its current challenges and potential33:50 - Understanding what real-time system data operators should see36:20 - The process of tailoring interfaces for specific users and contexts38:04 - Overcoming cultural and habit barriers in adoption39:33 - The critical role of safety and managing risk41:00 - The importance of simple and decisive control mechanisms43:39 - Leadership insights: building a human-centric, resilient team45:32 - Advice for entrepreneurs entering the human-robot interface space48:43 - The subtle art of micro-movements and emotional cues in robots51:52 - Future outlook: AI, robotics, and societal shifts54:45 - Lightning round: quick takes on interfaces, features, and sci-fi dreamsResources & Links:Hello Robo — Official websiteShak's LinkedInRobotBuildersClub.org

In this episode, Victor from Waku Robotics shares a comprehensive view on how maintenance often overlooked is critical to robotics success.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 failureThe end-to-end software solutions for proactive maintenance managementHow preventive maintenance can significantly extend robot lifespan and reduce costsLessons from automotive industry emphasizing repeatability and scaleThe cultural and organizational shifts needed for effective robot deploymentFuture trends: AI-enhanced physical systems and their adoption milestonesThe analogy between human longevity and robotic longevity through preventive careCommon myths about robotics adoption and the reality of implementation timelinesThe importance of company culture and skills in managing robotic operationsThe role of data-driven maintenance in transforming industries from logistics to wind energyResources & Links:Waku Robotics - Official website of Victor’s companylotsofbots.com - Database of mobile robots for benchmarking and insightsAndrew Huberman Podcast - For insights on neuroscience, well-being, and performanceDexterity Robotics - Example client scaling robotics solutionsThis 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 conversation, Aldus von der Burg, CEO of Meili Robots shares insights from his journey in robotics, transitioning from a drone company to fleet management software. He discusses the challenges of regulations, the importance of integrating robots with human operators, and the various applications of robotics in industries like healthcare and retail. Aldus emphasizes the need for education in the market, the cultural differences in business practices, and offers advice for founders looking to enter the robotics space. The conversation also touches on the future of robotics and AI, as well as the importance of design and user experience in technology.

Is it a drone… or is it a vehicle?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.

We’ve spent decades teaching humans how to program robots.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.

What building a construction robot reveals about the future of work, hardware startups, and founder mindsetIn 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.