In this episode, Brian talks with Matt Casella, President of Richtech Robotics, about the engineering and systems thinking behind automation in hospitality. With a background in finance and restaurant operations, Matt now leads the development of robots like Adam, a dual-arm, AI-enabled humanoid built to work seamlessly alongside people as a barista and mixologist.

The conversation explores:

• The technical challenges of building robots for real-world service environments
• Designing for both efficiency and user engagement
• Why human-robot interaction (HRI) matters in commercial adoption
• The role of robotics in solving labor shortages and reducing operational waste
• How autonomy and accessibility intersect in robots designed for aging populations
• Matt shares what it takes to go from functional to user-friendly, and why successful hospitality robots must deliver not just output, but experience.

In the Post Fix, Brian and Harriet dig into the psychology behind HRI:

• Why people expect social cues from machines
• Whether adding eyes to a robot really improves usability
• And Brian's not-so-secret hope for a bed-making robot

This episode is a must-listen for robotics engineers, system designers, and AI professionals interested in practical, real-world applications of human-centered robotics.

Time Stamps:

• *(00:41) The Rapid Fire 
• *(16:20) Automating for Waste Efficiency
• *(26:10) Keeping the Human Touch in Hospitality
• *(36:25) Providing Life Value for the Elderly Through Robotics
• *(45:20) Safety, Security & AI Ethics
• *(53:14) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links

Follow Matt on LinkedIn

Richtech Robotics

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

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In this insightful episode, Brian chats with Tony Campbell, Vice President of SRE and Platform Engineering at iManage. With a career spanning Google, Microsoft, and HubSpot, Tony has spent years at the intersection of AI, robotics, and software engineering—bringing a deep understanding of what it takes to build and scale modern technology.

The discussion explores the evolution of software development, the role of pull requests in team collaboration, and why the best developers often think like musicians—constantly iterating and refining. Tony shares hard-earned lessons on mentorship, effective code reviews, and what the industry must do to bridge the AI-driven talent gap. He also unpacks his thoughts on the future of robotics and whether AI is truly a game-changer or just another tool we haven’t quite mastered.

Then, in the Post Fix, Harriet makes an unexpected analogy between coding and music that makes perfect sense!

Time Stamps:

• *(4:05) Diving into Telepresence and Robotics
• *(17:48) The Evolution of Software Development
• *(32:23)  Hiring Practices in Tech
• *(38:43) Understanding SRE and Reliability
• *(39:27) The Future of Robotics and Software
• *(44:59) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links

Follow Tony on LinkedIn

iManage

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

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In this insightful episode, Brian chats with Vall Herard, CEO of Saifr.ai, a Fidelity Labs company. 

The discussion explores how Saifr.ai leverages advanced AI models to enhance content compliance and detect risks in the financial sector. Vall describes how the technology ensures financial content aligns with regulations, addressing compliance and identifying potential bad actors. 

The conversation also touches on AI hallucination issues, the importance of high-quality data, and the potential future of personalized AI in finance.

Then, in the Post Fix, Harriet mistakes a lightsaber for a pencil!

Time Stamps:

• *(10:28) Complying with Compliance
• *(15:44) New Fields Emerging Through AI
• *(19:19) Correcting an AI Model vs. Creating a New One
• *(28:53) We're Running Out Of Data!
• *(32:11) More About "Small" Language Models
• *(35:28) Defense Against The Bad Actors
• *(37:58) Deep Fakes Over The Phone
• *(41:39) A Look Into The Future
• *(48:55) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links:

Follow Vall on LinkedIn

Saifr.ai

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

In this episode, Brian sits down with Martin Goodson, CEO and Chief Scientist of Evolution AI, to discuss his journey into the field of data science and AI, the evolution of AI methodologies, and the future challenges and opportunities. 

Martin shares insights into his childhood fascination with AI, his professional path, and the development of machine learning technologies at Evolution AI. The discussion also delves into the limitations of LLMs, the impact of hallucinations in AI, and the critical importance of handling errors and maintaining high accuracy, especially in financial applications. 

The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of AI, the need for better-trained professionals, and how technology might transform business processes in the coming years.

Time Stamps:

• *(01:12) How Martin Got Here
• *(05:02) ML and Proto-organisms
• *(08:43) LLMs and How Animals Learn
• *(12:30) Not-so-conventional Neural Networks
• *(16:09) Making Models "Happy"
• *(21:56) Adapting to the Next New Thing
• *(25:11) No Errors, Ever?
• *(30:18) Hallucinations and Confidence Scores
• *(38:00) Resolution Issues
• *(45:30) If you had a magic wand…
• *(51:41) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links:

Follow Martin on LinkedIn

Evolution AI

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

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In this episode, Brian chats with Amit Ganjoo, CEO and Founder of ANRA Technologies. 

Amit's journey is packed with over 20 years of excitement in aviation, telecom, and wireless. From building his own airplane as a passion project to working with the U.S. Department of Defense on cutting-edge drone technology, Amit has done it all. 

They dive into how he got started in aviation, the thrill of constructing an experimental aircraft, and the innovative solutions ANRA Technologies is bringing to air traffic management. The conversation covers the future of flying cars, the challenges of scaling drone operations, and Amit's dream of seeing autonomous air travel become a reality. 

Then, in the Post-Fix, Brian and Harriet chat about the future of drones at the consumer level, and what they would order for drone–delivery!

Time Stamps:

(00:47) Amit's First "Flight"

(05:43) What makes it all fly?

(10:58) The Hardware and Software of Air Traffic Control

(15:49) Does An Automated Airspace Play Well With Humans?

(19:02) The Flying Car Conundrum

(22:03) ANRA Technologies

(26:12) NASA, not just about space!

(32:26) The Mobile Airport

(35:40) Amit's Crystal Ball

(50:07) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links:

Follow Amit on LinkedIn

ANRA Technologies

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

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In this episode, Brian sits down with Russ d’Sa, Founder and CEO of LiveKit. Russ is the co-founder and CEO of LiveKit, the network backbone for multimodal AI applications like ChatGPT and Character.ai. He started his first company in the 2007 batch of YC and was the 30th engineer at Twitter.

Russ shares candid stories about his initial rejection from YC, and how persistence led to eventual acceptance. Russ opens up about the trials, errors, and learnings from his previous startups, highlighting the importance of failure in the entrepreneurial journey. 

Russ also details the birth and evolution of LiveKit, an exciting company providing open-source infrastructure for real-time communications. He explains LiveKit’s integration with GPT-4, and how LiveKit powers voice interactions for ChatGPT, allowing it to feel more like a natural conversation. 

Brian and Russ also touch on larger themes like the importance of focus, healthy competition, and the potential of AI to revolutionize fields like education and mental health. Russ believes in the transformative power of technology, envisioning a future where humanoid robots and sophisticated AI interfaces are part of everyday life.

Then, in the Post-Fix, Harriet Koramoah joins Brian, where they figure out how to use a walkie-talkie, ask ChatGPT a few questions, and discuss what it means to be “multimodal”.

On this episode of Solving For Tomorrow, we welcome Andrew Winter, CEO of Eflex Energy. Andrew shares his broader journey into technology, beginning with a Commodore VIC-20, and reflects on the evolution of programming and the importance of foundational learning.

The discussion explores leveraging AI and large language models for problem-solving. Andrew introduces Eflex, a company revolutionizing home energy management through intelligent load management and connectivity. 

Brian and Andrew delve into the necessity of intelligent energy systems to prevent outages during extreme weather, the role of solar energy and net metering, and the implications of distributed generation and active grid management. The episode also highlights the potential of fusion energy, the challenge of deploying advanced technologies, and emphasizes policy change as crucial for achieving widespread energy solutions.

Time Stamps:

• * (00:31) Andrew Starts Messing with Technology
• * (04:25) The Pre-Internet Days 
• * (09:40) Leveraging LLMs
• * (14:27) About Eflex
• * (21:39) Practical Ways For Energy Saving in the Future
• * (25:35) Why Do Pool Pumps Matter?
• *(32:45)  Renewable Energy 
• *(41:58) Sharing Your EV with the Grid
• *(45:55) If You Had A Magic Wand…
• *(53:01) The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links:

Follow Andrew on LinkedIn

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

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Welcome to Solving For Tomorrow: Tales from the Tech Frontier!

In our first episode, we sit down with Daniel Theobald, Founder and CEO of Mekable, Founder and Chairman of Vecna Robotics, and Co-founder and President of MassRobotics. 

Daniel shares his journey into engineering, driven by creativity and a strong influence from his non-technical father. He discusses the importance of being hands-on, multidisciplinary, and building a thoughtful technological future.

Brian and Daniel discuss the potential of technology in agriculture, emphasizing the need for affordable, healthy food and sustainable farming practices. Daniel's vision for the future includes leveraging ubiquitous computing and sensors to optimize large-scale systems for efficiency and environmental protection.

Then, in The Post-Fix, Brian teaches Harriet about the TV show House, playing darts in the Geisel Software office, and how play can lead to a breakthrough.

Guest Quote: 

“I think about what type of world I want my children to live in in the future.  And how important it is for us to not just blindly rush forward into a technological future thoughtlessly. We need to be more thoughtful than ever about the kind of world we want to create with this technology.” - Daniel Theobald

Time Stamps:

00:58 Creativity in Engineering

11:50 What's Fact or Fiction with AI?

16:18 Empowering Humanity with Robotics

23:10 The Future of Food

28:53 Play and Efficiency in Engineering

37:30 Writing Code in Your Dreams

43:12 Building Code from the Ground Up 

49:00 The Post-Fix

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Solving for Tomorrow is sponsored by Geisel Software. We help you create products that seamlessly automate the physical and virtual worlds using robotics, machine learning, and so much more. Find out more at geisel.software.

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Links:

Follow Daniel on LinkedIn

MassRobotics.org

Follow Brian Geisel on LinkedIn

“I don't just think about writing software. I think about solving big problems. Software just happens to be the hammer we hit the nail with.” -Brian Geisel

Welcome to Solving for Tomorrow: Tales from the Tech Frontier, the show about solving the universe’s biggest problems with technology.

On this show, host Brian Geisel talks to some of the most innovative minds at the cutting edge of software, robotics, automation, AI, ML, and beyond. 

This show is for enthusiasts and tech leaders alike – whether you're designing a product, building a company or a team, or just fascinated by the next wave of technological innovation. 

Join Brian as he talks to tech leaders about how to build revolutionary products and support the companies getting those products into the hands of problem solvers worldwide.