We’re promised a future of robot helpers, autonomous drones, and intelligent machines — so where are they?

In this episode of Deep, Ben Kaplan sits down with Vijay Kumar, Dean of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and a world leader in robotics, to ask why we’re still waiting.

They dig into the real obstacles holding back industrial robots, why your toddler might be more dexterous than a factory arm, and how AI is both helping and overhyped.

Vijay explains the difference between coordination, cooperation, and true collaboration in multi-robot systems, shares why aerial robotics are inefficient power hogs (but still vital in places like mines), and gives a sober take on the gap between promise and reality in autonomous vehicles.

Plus, they explore the unexpected connections between science fiction, military tech, and real-world innovation — and where investors should actually be looking next.

If you're curious about the real state of robotics (beyond the hype), this one’s for you.

What do tiny worms, RNA strands, and a 9600-baud modem have in common? They helped Gary Ruvkun win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. In this episode of DEEP, Ben Kaplan sits down with the Harvard geneticist whose discovery of microRNAs shattered scientific orthodoxy and jumpstarted a biotech revolution.

Ruvkun unpacks how these microscopic molecules function like hotfixes for your DNA, flipping genetic switches that regulate aging, disease, metabolism—even the domestication of corn. From coding cells like apps to the overlooked power of public science funding, we go deep into the origins of breakthrough discoveries, the culture of innovation, and why some of the best ideas might just come from studying worms.

If you want to understand the past, present, and future of RNA-based medicine, from antiviral therapies to biotech unicorns, this episode is essential listening.

What if you could simplify a complex camera lens system down to a single flat surface—and mass produce it with the same machines that make computer chips?

Federico Capasso, Harvard professor, optics pioneer, and co-founder of Metalenz, joins Ben Kaplan to talk about how metasurfaces and nano-optics could transform everything from smartphones to AR glasses to medical imaging. Capasso, known for inventing the quantum cascade laser, explains how replacing traditional curved lenses with ultra-thin, chip-made alternatives could revolutionize not just technology, but global supply chains too.

This is an episode about science at its best, bold, disruptive, and full of real-world promise. It’s about interdisciplinary curiosity, the entrepreneurial mindset in academia, and the deep tech innovations poised to change how we see... literally.

In this thought-provoking episode of DEEP, host Ben Kaplan of DEEP Venture Partners speaks with Professor Christos Masouros, one of the world's leading experts on 6G communications. They explore how 6G will fundamentally shift wireless technology from pure communication to a powerful hybrid of communication and sensing, transforming every cell tower and base station into a mini radar system.

Christos breaks down how 6G’s ultra-fast speeds and near-zero latency could unlock revolutionary applications—from remote robotic surgeries across continents, to holographic communications, smart cities, autonomous vehicle coordination, and even digital twins for real-time activity monitoring. The conversation dives into how AI, sustainability, non-terrestrial networks, and reconfigurable surfaces are all playing a role in the 6G ecosystem—and what it means for privacy, security, and global deployment.

They also explore the business and geopolitical implications of 6G, including how this technological leap could open doors for new players from adjacent industries, and the need for regulatory safeguards in a world where every antenna can track movement and behavior.

Key Topics:

• 6G vs 5G: latency, speed, and energy efficiency

• Integrated sensing and communication

• Remote surgery and real-time holography

• Smart cities and urban security

• AI’s role in network optimization and prediction

• Sustainability in infrastructure and signal design

• Privacy, sensing security, and geopolitical impact

• The business potential of radar/communications convergence

In this episode of DEEP, hosts Ben Kaplan and Daniel Hoffer of DEEP Venture Partners sit down with Tom Leighton, CEO of Akamai Technologies, to explore his remarkable journey from MIT professor of applied mathematics to leader of a global tech company worth over $10 billion. Tom discusses how Akamai evolved from pioneering the world's first Content Delivery Network (CDN)—revolutionizing the speed and reliability of internet content—to becoming a major player in cybersecurity and cloud computing.

Tom shares fascinating insights into Akamai's unconventional beginnings at MIT, the challenges of transitioning theoretical algorithms into practical solutions, and how he overcame scepticism from industry leaders who initially dismissed the viability of distributed computing. He recounts pivotal moments, including Akamai's critical role in thwarting cyberattacks on the White House, which launched their government security business.

The conversation also delves into the emerging role of AI in cybersecurity, highlighting both its potential and risks in the ongoing arms race against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Throughout, Tom reflects on valuable lessons learned, including the importance of adaptability, resilience in the face of doubt, and strategic venture capital partnerships.This episode offers a compelling look at innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, charting how an academic idea transformed into essential technology shaping today's digital world.

Find out more at www.deepvp.com

Welcome to DEEP, the show exploring the breakthrough technologies reshaping our world. In this premiere episode, Ben Kaplan of Deep Venture Partners sits down with Michael Black, among the world's leading experts on computer vision and AI, to uncover the cutting-edge advancements in 3D modeling, human behavior analysis, and robotics.

From the challenges of autonomous driving to the surprising role of language in vision AI, this episode dives into the future of technology and its profound impact on society.

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AND TRANSCRIPT AT: deepvp.com/computervision