Housing is expensive, and a big part of that cost is labor. What if robots could build the frames for our homes, making construction faster, safer, and more affordable?

I talk with Barrett Ames, Co-founder of BotBuilt, about how his company is revolutionizing home construction by automating the framing process. Barrett shares how they've solved the challenges of working with imperfect lumber, translating floor plans into precise 3D models, and reducing on-site framing time from weeks to just hours.

You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics startups finding that sweet spot between technical challenge and market opportunity, the future of construction, or how automation might help address America's housing crisis.

JOBS AT BOTBUILT
https://jobs.audrownashpodcast.com/jobs?q=BotBuilt

TRANSCRIPT
- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/21-botbuilt/transcript

EPISODE LINKS
- Barrett Ames' website: https://www.cbames.com/
- BotBuilt's website: https://www.botbuilt.com/
- Barrett on X/Twitter: https://x.com/cbames
- Barrett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbames
- BotBuilt on X/Twitter: https://x.com/botbuilt_
- BotBuilt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/botbuilt/

PODCAST LINKS
- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/
- Podcast Jobs board: https://jobs.audrownashpodcast.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162

TIMECODES
(0:00) Start
(2:20) Overview
(7:01) Challenges
(18:43) Sketch to Structure
(27:26) Generative Solutions
(30:53) Structuring Build
(36:08) When Things Go Wrong
(42:43) Traditional vs. Automated
(57:28) Time & Cost
(1:08:32) Long-Term Vision
(1:15:02) Construction Opportunities
(1:24:39) Lessons Learned
(1:33:33) Final Thoughts

Ever wondered how robots actually "see" the world? Or why Tesla can achieve so much with just vision?

I talk with Bradley Dillon, CEO of Luxonis, about how their AI-enabled cameras are becoming the eyes and brains of robots everywhere. Bradley shares how they've sold over 150,000 vision platforms and why processing at the edge (right on the camera) is revolutionizing robotics.

You'll like this interview if you're interested in computer vision, edge computing, or how vision technology is making automation possible in industries from agriculture to security screening.

TRANSCRIPT
- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/20-luxonis/transcript

EPISODE LINKS
- Luxonis Website: https://www.luxonis.com
- Luxonis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luxonis/
- Luxonis X: https://x.com/luxonis
- Bradley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-dillon/
- Bradley's X: https://x.com/bradley_luxonis

PODCAST LINKS
- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162

TIMECODES
(0:00) Start
(1:52) Bradley Dillon & Luxonis Overview
(8:34) Luxonis’s Equipments
(13:02) Integrating Multiple Sensors
(20:40) Applications of Luxonis Vision
(25:02) Luxonis & Computing Power
(30:08) Linking Multiple Devices
(31:41) Luxonis AI Models
(36:31) Data Generation & Labeling
(46:25) Future Predictions
(50:00) AI for Scene Understanding
(59:33) Targeting Industries for Innovation
(1:04:54) Smart Security Screening
(1:11:46) Growth Story
(1:18:58) Chip Supply Challenges
(1:26:37) Future Sensor Additions
(1:32:45) Luxonis Resources
(1:34:53) Outro

Ever wonder what happens when robotics experts gather in a secret location to share their cutting-edge work? In this special episode, I bring you live interviews from a stealth robotics event between Austin and San Antonio.

I talk with
- Kyle Morgenstein, PhD student at UT Austin working on making legged robots safe in human environments;
- David Venegas, Head of Operations at Durin, who's automating critical tasks in mining exploration; and
- Barrett Ames, co-founder of BotBuilt, whose robots are revolutionizing home construction.

You'll like this interview if you're interested in the future of robotics across different industries, from research to startups, and how automation is solving real-world problems in safety, mining, and construction.

TRANSCRIPT
- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/19-texas-secret/transcript

EPISODE LINKS
- March 8th event invite: https://lu.ma/vqi7e7xe?tk=CpLKNx
- Kyle Morgenstein's website: https://www.kylemorgenstein.com/
- Human Centered Robotics Lab: https://sites.utexas.edu/hcrl/
- Durin's website: https://www.durin.com/
- BotBuilt's website: https://www.botbuilt.com/

PODCAST LINKS
- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162

TIMECODES
(0:00) Start
(1:21) Kyle: Legged Robot Safety
(3:55) Improving Robot Safety for Humans
(7:25) Humanoid Robots: Progress & Future
(10:39) Boston Dynamics vs. Unitree
(12:29) Reward Models for Safer Robots
(15:12) Foundation Models: Impact on Data & Timelines
(17:18) Teleoperation Efficiency
(19:25) Training Robots Using YouTube Data
(20:48) David: Mining Basics
(29:10) Automating Mining Tasks
(34:49) Access Challenges in Excavation
(36:58) Use of Simulation
(38:03) Barrett: Construction Robots
(41:42) Custom Home Focus
(43:07) Botbuilt’s Approach
(44:16) Botbuilt’s Data Sourcing
(49:48) Working With Robots
(50:09) Perception Stack
(52:21) Handling Lumber Challenges
(53:39) Margins vs. Pre-Fab Homes
(53:58) Transport Costs
(56:03) Botbuilt’s Lifecycle
(58:18) Outro

I talk with Jenny Read who is the Programme Director at ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency).

We talk about:
- ARIA's ambitious £50M investment in robotics hardware research
- The need for fundamental breakthroughs in robot hardware and actuation
- How neuroscience insights can inspire better robot design
- Building a research community focused on hardware innovation
- The unique funding approach that encourages high-risk, high-reward projects

You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics hardware development, research funding initiatives, or the future of robot actuation and control systems.

TRANSCRIPT
- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/17-aria/transcript

EPISODE LINKS
- ARIA Website: https://www.aria.org.uk
- ARIA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-research-and-invention-agency/
- ARIA Twitter/X: https://x.com/ARIA_Research
- Jenny Read's Website: https://www.jennyreadresearch.com/
- Jenny Read's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-read-813a5ba/
- Jenny Read's Twitter/X: https://x.com/jcaread

TIMECODES
(0:00) Start
(0:15) Jenny Read & ARIA Overview
(3:49) Jenny's ARIA Role
(6:26) Robotics Focus
(8:22) Hardware Focus Areas
(9:40) Gear Ratio Discussion
(11:56) Touch Sensing & Robot Fragility
(13:41) Body Design & Neural Control
(19:15) Career Background & Funding
(22:33) Program Focus & Logistics
(27:56) The Dexterity Challenge
(33:31) ARIA Strategy
(42:59) Development Bottlenecks
(45:38) Measuring Success
(48:33) Key Takeaways
(51:52) Outro

In this episode, I share several conversations from ROSCon 2024 in Denmark with leaders building the future of robotics.

First, I talk with Marcus Scheunemann, Head of Autonomy at Dexory, about their rapid growth in warehouse robotics. Dexory has scaled from 0 to 90+ robots in just 2 years by focusing heavily on testing infrastructure and getting robots to customers quickly.

Next, I speak with Christine Fraser, CEO and founder of Asimovo, about their developer platform that makes it easier for robotics teams to collaborate. Built on Kubernetes, their platform lets teams work together seamlessly whether developing locally or in the cloud.

Finally, I chat with Angelo Corsaro, CEO and CTO of ZettaScale Technologies, about Zenoh - the future middleware for ROS 2. We discuss how Zenoh solves key limitations of DDS and enables true end-to-end communication from microcontrollers to the cloud.

You'll like these interviews if you're interested in:
- Scaling robotics companies and testing infrastructure
- Developer tools for robotics teams
- The future of ROS 2 middleware
- Building successful robotics companies

TRANSCRIPT
- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/16-roscon/transcript

EPISODE LINKS
- ROSCon 2024 site: https://roscon.ros.org/2024/
- Dexory: https://www.dexory.com/
- Asimovo: https://asimovo.com/
- ZettaScale: https://www.zettascale.tech/

TIMECODES
(0:00) Start
(2:12) Introduction to Dexory
(3:26) How Dexory Landed Series B
(7:12) The Problem and the Robot’s Solution
(11:12) The Software Behind Dexory
(14:03) Advocating for More Testing When Management Prioritizes New Features
(17:20) Where Dexory Is Heading in the Next 2 to 5 Years
(19:25) Introduction to Asimovo
(21:20) Creating Solutions for Every Need
(23:59) Supporting Diverse Workflows Across Platforms
(29:42) How Clusters Run Across Platforms
(34:11) Company Progress and Adoption
(40:09) One Year Projections and Goals
(43:09) Where To Learn More
(44:37) Introduction to ZettaScale
(49:56) How Distributed Queries Work
(53:15) Breaking Down Routing and Synchronization
(1:01:23) Solving DDS Challenges and ROS 2 Impact
(1:05:34) The Story Behind the Company Name
(1:07:56) Why ROS and How It’s Integrated
(1:13:16) Future Plans for the Next 1 to 3 Years

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Dave Coleman, Chief Product Officer and Founder of PickNik Robotics, as we explore how robotic arms are transforming industries from space exploration to agriculture. Dave shares insights on making robots work in challenging, unstructured environments and reveals how PickNik is revolutionizing robotic manipulation through their MoveIt Pro platform.

This episode is perfect for robotics engineers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of automation across diverse industries.

Links:
- PickNik Robotics: https://picknik.ai
- MoveIt Pro: https://picknik.ai/pro
- Dave Coleman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetcoleman
- PickNik LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/picknik
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://audrownashpodcast.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Start
01:04 Introduction to Dave Coleman
01:29 Overview of PickNik Robotics
03:16 Challenges in Robotic Manipulation
04:54 Unstructured Robotics and Applications
13:45 MoveIt Pro: The Commercial Grade Solution
44:11 Human-Robot Interaction and High-Level Commands
45:22 NASA Collaborations and Space Robotics
48:33 Space ROS and Open Source Initiatives
52:06 Challenges in Space Robotics
53:32 The Future of Robotics and Industry Applications
01:02:06 Hivebotics Case Study
01:10:57 Mobile Manipulation and Humanoids
01:19:20 Challenges and Opportunities in Mobile Manipulation
01:25:32 PickNik's Vision and MoveIt Pro
01:27:58 Conclusion and Future Prospects

Dive into the world of American manufacturing with Saman Farid, founder and CEO of Formic. Discover how robots are transforming US factories by dramatically improving utilization - from 30% to nearly 100% - while helping solve the labor shortage crisis.

This episode reveals how Formic is making robotics accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturers through their innovative "robots-as-a-service" model. Learn why 90% of American factories still don't have a single robot, and how Formic's approach could change that.

Perfect for manufacturing professionals, robotics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of American industry.

Links:
- Formic Website: https://formic.co/
- Saman Farid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanfarid/
- Formic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formic-technologies/
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/

Timestamps:
- (0:00) - Episode Intro
- (0:53) - Introduction to Saman Farid and Formic
- (1:39) - Formic's Mission and Impact
- (4:01) - Challenges in Robotics Deployment
- (9:46) - Case Studies and Real-World Applications
- (14:30) - Advanced Technologies and Automation
- (28:35) - How Formic Collects Site Data
- (35:08) - Configuring a Workcell with Data Gathered
- (40:30) - Programming the Robot with Generative AI
- (50:09) - AI in the Loop: Revolutionizing Robotics Simulation
- (52:54) - Exploring the Software Stack
- (54:30) - From Simulation to Reality
- (59:07) - LLMs for Data Ingestion
- (1:03:43) - Customer Support and Maintenance
- (1:12:26) - Scaling and Future Challenges
- (1:19:38) - Working with Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers
- (1:28:04) - What are Most Robotics Companies Doing Wrong?
- (1:31:04) - Thoughts on the US Manufacturing Sector

Discover the future of urban delivery with Canon Reeves, CTO and Co-founder of Pipedream Labs. In this episode, we explore how a network of thin underground pipes and autonomous robots could revolutionize last-mile logistics. If you're fascinated by innovative urban infrastructure, robotics, or the future of delivery systems, this conversation is for you.

Learn how Pipedream Labs is scaling their technology from drive-thru restaurants to city-wide networks, and hear about their unique approach to modular design and customer-driven development. Canon shares insights on building high-impact teams, leveraging global talent, and the technical challenges of creating a groundbreaking delivery system.

Links:
- Pipedream Labs Website: https://www.pipedreamlabs.co/
- Canon Reeves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/canonreeves/
- Pipedream Labs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pipedream-labs/
- Pipedream Labs on X: https://x.com/pipedream_labs
- Canon Reeves on X: https://x.com/ReevesCanon
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/

Timestamps:
- (0:00) - Start
- (0:37) - Introduction to Canon Reeves and Pipedream Labs
- (1:05) - The Vision for Autonomous Delivery
- (1:49) - How Thin Pipes Work
- (3:17) - Challenges and Solutions in Last Mile Delivery
- (6:58) - Innovative Instant Pickup System
- (12:26) - Scaling the Network and Future Plans
- (20:15) - Technical Challenges and Solutions
- (48:22) - Modular Design and Scalability
- (50:14) - Customer-Driven Development
- (52:39) - Small Teams, Big Impact
- (54:45) - Hiring the Right People
- (56:43) - Remote Work and Contractors
- (1:00:43) - Future-Proofing with Modular Systems
- (1:07:17) - Exciting Growth and Challenges Ahead
- (1:28:00) - Advice for Founders

Dive into the fascinating world of robotics insurance with Sergey Litvinenko, co-founder and CEO of Koop AI. Discover how data-driven insurance is revolutionizing the robotics industry, making robots safer and more affordable. This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, robotics professionals, and anyone curious about the future of AI and automation.

Links:
- Koop AI Website: https://www.koop.ai/
- Sergey Litvinenko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-from-koop
- Koop AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/koop-ai
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/
- Transcript: https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/11-koop

Outline:
- (0:00) - Start
- (1:46) - Introduction and Background
- (2:37) - Understanding Insurance and Underwriting
- (4:07) - Koop's Focus on Robotics
- (6:41) - The Journey to Koop Insurance
- (11:38) - Risk Assessment and Data Collection
- (18:00) - Challenges in New Robotics Domains
- (32:56) - Training and Methodology for Underwriters
- (47:12) - Insurance Validity and Performance Guarantees
- (48:34) - Handling Erroneous Data and Misrepresentation
- (50:44) - Human vs. Robot Behavior in Insurance
- (52:20) - Robotics Insurance Metrics and Losses
- (54:26) - Evaluating AI and Edge Cases in Robotics
- (1:04:22) - Data Collection and Utilization in Robotics
- (1:29:41) - Future Vision and Expansion of Koop