In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Abhishek Gupta, co-founder and CEO of OpenDroids, to discuss how open-source, AI-driven robotics are redefining automation. Abhishek shares his journey from hardware design to entrepreneurship, what inspired him to launch OpenDroids, and how his team is building modular robots that can adapt to a wide range of industries.

We explore the power of open-source robotics, how AI is accelerating robotic development, and why giving the community the tools to innovate is central to OpenDroids’ mission. Abhishek also reflects on his experience at CES, the momentum behind OpenDroids, and what the future holds for robotics and automation.

Key Discussion Points:
- How OpenDroids is making robotics accessible and scalable through open-source development.
- The role of AI in robotics and how advancements in AGI and embodied AI are reshaping automation.
- The real-world impact of robotics in hospitality, senior care, and education.
- Lessons from early-stage startup growth, including talent acquisition, vision alignment, and rapid iteration.
- Ethical considerations and the future of AI and robotics.

Learn more about OpenDroids:  
Website: https://www.opendroids.com  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opendroids  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-droids/  
X: https://x.com/Opendroids_  
Email: [email protected]  

Connect with Abhishek Gupta:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ragsgups/  

Connect with me:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Nohtal Partansky, founder and CEO of Sorting Robotics, to explore the fascinating intersection of robotics and cannabis manufacturing. 🚀

Nohtal shares his journey from working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to founding multiple startups, including Sorting Robotics, which has revolutionized the cannabis industry with innovative automation solutions like the GCO Automated Infusion Robot and Stardust.

We dive into:
🔹 Nohtal’s path from aerospace to entrepreneurship
🔹 The challenges of building robotic solutions for niche markets
🔹 How robotics is transforming cannabis manufacturing processes
🔹 The importance of team culture in achieving breakthroughs

Whether you're an entrepreneur, robotics enthusiast, or just curious about the cutting-edge applications of technology in unexpected industries, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

In this episode, I sit down with Stefan Seltz-Axmacher, CEO and co-founder of Polymath Robotics, to discuss how their modular autonomy solutions are revolutionizing industrial robotics. Stefan shares the story behind founding Polymath and how his previous experience at Starsky Robotics shaped his vision for creating reusable, scalable autonomy stacks.

We explore the challenges of retrofitting legacy machinery, the inefficiencies of rebuilding autonomy stacks, and why the future of robotics lies in modular solutions that allow companies to focus on creating real value. Stefan also dives into market dynamics, funding challenges in today’s landscape, and why robotics startups must think differently about growth.

If you’re curious about how robotics is solving critical labor shortages and unlocking new opportunities across industries like mining, agriculture, and logistics, this episode is for you.

Connect with Stefan:
linkedin.com/in/stefanseltzaxmacher
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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Bond, VP of Strategy and Business Development at Simbe Robotics, to talk about how AI-driven robotics are transforming retail efficiency. Benjamin shares his journey from consulting and retail strategy to leading Simbe’s efforts to enhance store-level insights and streamline operations with shelf intelligence solutions.

We discuss Simbe’s flagship robot, Tally, and how it helps stores optimize inventory, pricing, and layout without disrupting the shopping experience. Benjamin also reveals how Simbe’s recent $50M Series C funding, led by Goldman Sachs, will propel their expansion into new markets and further their mission of empowering retailers.

Benjamin emphasizes the human side of robotics, explaining how their solutions free up employees to focus on more meaningful customer interactions while driving measurable ROI. If you’re curious about how AI and robotics are reshaping real-world operations, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.


Connect with Benjamin:
linkedin.com/in/benjamingrbond

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of the Machine Minds Show, Greg sits down with Muhammad Musa, the founder of Deepen AI, to explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Join us as we delve into Muhammad's inspiring journey from his early experiences in the tech industry to establishing a company that is at the forefront of AI innovation. Muhammad shares insights into the challenges and opportunities he faced while building Deepen AI, a company dedicated to enhancing data annotation and sense calibration for autonomous vehicles and robotics. We discuss the suite of tools they offer, the importance of safety in AI applications, and the key milestones that have marked their growth. Throughout the conversation, we touch on the emerging trends in AI that excite Muhammad the most and how Deepen AI is contributing to the advancement of safety in autonomous systems. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or simply curious about the future of technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions. Tune in to learn more about the intersection of AI and safety, and discover what it takes to scale a tech startup in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
01:18 Muhammad’s background.
04:24 Initial problems
09:10 What does Deepen AI offer?
18:15 Financing
27:30 Key milestones
29:52 Solutions that Deepen AI is contributing to the advancement of safety vehicles and robots
40:40 Emerging trends 
43:40 Aspirations of Deeper AI in the next five years? 

More about Deepen AI
https://www.linkedin.com/company/deepen-ai/

More about our guest 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad/

Machine Minds:
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..
Spotify:
 https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... 
Google Podcast: 
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   
Let’s connect on social media:
 IG:   / machinemindsshow   
LinkedIn:   / gregtoroosian

In this episode, I sit down with Carl Chouinard, founder and CEO of Extend AI, to explore how advanced AI tools can reshape physical operations in manufacturing, logistics, and beyond. Carl talks about his early days tinkering with computers in Quebec, Canada, and how his love for technology led him to build multiple startups. He explains how Extend AI connects to cameras, reconstructs real-world spaces in 3D, and identifies “spatial agents” that help businesses organize floors, workflows, and inventory.

Carl believes in harnessing AI to enhance—not replace—human capabilities. He describes real scenarios where physical processes can be guided and optimized, cutting wasted effort and freeing workers to focus on meaningful tasks. Anyone curious about AI’s impact on day-to-day, real-world labor will appreciate Carl’s insights and his clear enthusiasm for bridging the gap between people, machines, and the physical environment.

Connect with Carl:
linkedin.com/in/carl-chouinard-5066823

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, Greg welcomes Matt Moore, co-founder of Sous Chef Studios, a company dedicated to revolutionising home cooking with an innovative table top kitchen appliance. This device aims to automate the process of making food from scratch, specifically focusing on noodles and pasta initially, to help families prepare healthy meals conveniently during the busy weekdays.
Matt shares insights into his diverse career path, which includes founding multiple startups and working with tech giants like Google and Samsung. He reflects on his early experiences in tech, starting with a Linux computer company in high school, and how those experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. His journey led him to Sous Chef Studios, where he aims to address the challenges faced by working parents in providing nutritious meals for their families.
The conversation delves into the motivation behind Sous Chef Studios, particularly Matt's personal experiences as a parent navigating food allergies and the complexities of meal preparation. He emphasizes the importance of creating a product that not only simplifies cooking but also caters to the dietary needs of families.
The appliance itself is designed to be user-friendly, allowing families to prepare meals with minimal effort. It features a compact design, multiple cooking functions, and the ability to handle various ingredients, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen. Overall, this episode highlights the intersection of technology and culinary arts, showcasing how innovation can enhance everyday life.
01:32 Matt’s journey.
09:23 What motivated Matt?
25:14 Appliance operation.
30:00 Adaptation if someone needs a gluten free meal
37:25 Addressing customers
46:47 The future of automated cooking appliances
50:53 Where can people find Sous Chef Studio?

More about Sous Chef Studio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/souschefstudio/

More about our guest 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpaulmoore/

Machine Minds:
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..
Spotify:
 https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... 
Google Podcast: 
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   
Let’s connect on social media:
 IG:   / machinemindsshow   
LinkedIn:   / gregtoroosian  

I talked with Surojit Chatterjee, who leads Ema—a platform aimed at building “AI employees.” Instead of the usual AI that simply produces content, Ema tackles multi-step tasks through agent-like workflows. Surojit explained how Ema’s generative workflow engine and smaller, specialized models together can take on complex tasks usually handled by people.

He got into the challenges enterprises face when employees spend countless hours on tedious, manual tasks. The goal is for Ema’s “AI employees” to handle these chores so human teams can focus on higher-impact problems. It’s not just theoretical—Surojit described how Ema helps with customer support, HR tasks, and more by linking to enterprise systems like CRMs and support ticket software. We also touched on security, data privacy, and how Ema’s approach steers clear of seat-based pricing, which Surojit believes is outdated.

Surojit summed it up as a new wave of software that eliminates repetitive tasks, letting humans zero in on creativity. While some folks see AI as a threat to jobs, Surojit feels it’s similar to other tech revolutions: freeing people to do the work they truly care about. It’s a bold vision for an age of more flexible “AI employees,” crossing tasks from customer support and beyond. Surojit is clearly optimistic about the future and sees a golden era of AI just beginning to unfold.


Connect with Surojit:
linkedin.com/in/surojitchatterjee

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of the Machine Minds Show, host Greg welcomes Rachel Sinclair, the founder and CEO of Simuli, a pioneering company focused on advancing artificial intelligence through innovative computing methods. Rachel shares her journey from a strong research background in AI to establishing her own startup, driven by a desire to explore the philosophical questions surrounding consciousness and machine intelligence.

Throughout the conversation, Rachel discusses the core technology behind Simuli, which leverages hyperdimensional computing—a novel mathematical framework that allows for efficient data processing and model training. She emphasizes the importance of making AI more accessible and resource-efficient, aiming to empower users who previously lacked access to advanced AI tools.

Greg and Rachel delve into various topics, including the ethical implications of AI, the challenges of transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, and the significance of building a collaborative team culture. Rachel also highlights her recent speaking engagements, such as the Singularity NET event, where she discussed decentralized computing and its relevance to the future of AI.

Listeners can expect to gain insights into the innovative approaches that Simuli is taking to reshape the AI landscape, as well as Rachel's vision for the future of intelligent systems. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, ethics, and the evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence.
⁠
01:16 Rachel’s background.
04:36 Drivera into the entrepreneur world
06:02 Pivotal moments & key experiences
11:55 Strategies in building a team
25:02 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the AI field
34:01 AI and surpassing human intelligence
More about Simuli
https://www.linkedin.com/company/simuliinc/
More about our guest 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelaileenstclair/
Machine Minds:
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..
Spotify:
 https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... 
Google Podcast: 
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...
YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   
Let’s connect on social media:
 IG:   / machinemindsshow   
LinkedIn:   / gregtoroosian  

In this episode, I speak with Chester Leung, co-founder and head of platform architecture at Opaque Systems. Chester shares his journey from a non-technical college student who stumbled into computer science at UC Berkeley to his involvement in cutting-edge data privacy and security research. His story highlights how early academic experiences, including collaboration with renowned faculty and industry partners, led to the creation of Opaque Systems and their groundbreaking work in confidential computing.

We explore what confidential computing actually is—how it allows organizations to analyze and derive insights from sensitive data without exposing it. Chester explains how Opaque’s platform empowers data scientists and engineers to process encrypted data and run machine learning workloads securely and efficiently, all while preserving user privacy and meeting stringent compliance demands.

Chester also discusses the importance of building a resilient team and fostering a culture of ownership and customer-centric thinking. He opens up about the challenges of educating the market on a relatively new concept and the lessons learned from merging academic innovation with real-world commercial needs. Whether you’re curious about the next frontier of data privacy, the practical applications of confidential computing, or the crucial role of trust and integrity in emerging AI systems, this conversation shines a spotlight on the future of secure, privacy-preserving artificial intelligence.

Connect with Chester:
linkedin.com/in/chester-leung

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Connect with me on LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian