In this episode of The Techne Connect, Paul Mikesell, Founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics, shares how his team is redefining agriculture through AI-driven robotics — from the laser-powered weeder eliminating the need for chemicals, to the autonomous tractor kit that converts standard machines into self-driving systems.

Paul reflects on his journey from scaling startups and leading AI development at Uber to building deep-tech solutions that tackle the world’s dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. He explores how focusing on ROI, team culture and genuine problem-solving has helped Carbon Robotics win the trust of farmers worldwide.

He discusses why agriculture is one of the most underrepresented yet high-impact frontiers for AI, the importance of understanding neural networks from the ground up, and why robotics will play a vital role in creating safer, more sustainable, and more abundant societies.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we speak with Parsa Bakhtiari, Co-Founder of Feather Robotics, about his journey from helping launch the Tesla Model 3 to pioneering a new generation of affordable, deployable humanoid robots.

Parsa shares how his background as an Iranian immigrant shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the lessons learned from working alongside Elon Musk, and the sacrifices required to turn an idea into a company that could redefine human–robot interaction.

Together, they explore the founding story behind Feather Robotics, the importance of choosing the right co-founder, and what it really takes to build a startup in one of the world’s most challenging industries — hardware.

From overcoming early failures and managing burnout to scaling production and hiring the right founding team, this conversation offers a candid look at the realities of entrepreneurship and the vision behind a company aiming to “give people back their time.”

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Brent Bradbury, VP of Software at Stoke Space, shares how software-driven innovation is transforming the way rockets are built, tested, and launched.

He traces his unconventional path from futures trading and SaaS development to leading within the new space economy, showing how cross-industry thinking and startup agility are accelerating progress in aerospace. Brent explains how Stoke Space is building a fully reusable rocket and how their BoltLine platform is enabling faster, more efficient hardware development across the globe.

He dives into lessons learned from scaling startups, the balance between speed and precision in engineering, and why embracing discomfort is essential for growth. Brent also reflects on the boom in commercial space, how AI is being practically applied to solve real engineering challenges, and why this moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine how humanity builds for orbit.

From agritech to aerospace, Brent’s journey embodies the spirit of innovation, cutting complexity, empowering engineers, and proving that the next era of space exploration will be built by those bold enough to rethink how things are done.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Carl Dietrich, founder and CEO of Jump Aero, shares his journey from MIT to pioneering flying cars and now building eVTOL aircraft for emergency response. Carl reflects on lessons learned in aerospace entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling advanced air mobility, and the vision behind Jump Aero’s mission to cut rural emergency response times in half. He also dives into perseverance, innovation, regulation, and the future of aviation as drones, autonomy, and eVTOL technologies transform mobility.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Adam Ewing sits down with Morten Skov, co-founder and CTO of Sky Puzzler, a Danish deep tech startup building centralized air traffic control systems for drones. Morten shares his journey into robotics and AI, the challenges of leading a startup, and the importance of work-life balance in the fast-moving world of technology. He offers insights into simulation, human-computer interaction, and why collaboration between people and machines is essential for the future. From logistics to urban mobility, Morten discusses how drones can positively transform society and gives career advice for aspiring engineers.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect: Behind the Robot, Bibhrajit Halder, Founder and CEO of SafeAI, shares how autonomous systems are transforming heavy industries through safety, efficiency, and intelligent automation.

He discusses his journey from working at Caterpillar, Ford, and Apple to founding SafeAI in Silicon Valley, explaining how startup life taught him to think like a customer and solve real-world problems, not just technical ones.

Bibhrajit reflects on bringing “Autonomy 2.0” to mining and construction, the lessons learned from turning his PhD research into a real product, and why integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning matter more than ever. He also explores how AI will amplify human capability, why now is the best time to build a career in robotics, and how the next generation can shape the trillion-dollar industries of tomorrow.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Jason Kline, Head of Design at Humanoid, unpacks how humanoid robotics is advancing at the intersection of industrial design, HRI and fashion to build trust, safety and acceptance in real-world environments.

He shares his path from automotive design into robotics leadership, and why systems thinking, rapid prototyping and close collaboration across software and hardware are essential to move from lab demos to commercially viable products. Jason discusses Humanoid’s alpha programme on a wheeled platform, the value of user trials in live settings, and how perception, interaction and affordability shape public confidence.

He reflects on designing for people first, the importance of solving real problems rather than chasing cool tech, and why generalists who can connect disciplines will thrive. He touches on potential impact in public services such as healthcare, the need for responsible innovation, and why now is the ideal moment to build a career in robotics as AI and physical systems converge.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Andreas Bihlmaier, Director of Solutions Engineering at Intrinsic, explores how robotics is evolving at the intersection of AI and engineering.

He shares his journey from academic research and start-up leadership to guiding teams at Intrinsic, part of Alphabet’s robotics portfolio. Andreas discusses how modern robots are becoming more adaptive, able to see, sense, and respond to their environments, and why collaboration between software and hardware engineers is key to unlocking the next phase of automation.

He reflects on lessons from founding a robotics company, the importance of solving real-world problems over chasing technology for its own sake, and why now is the perfect time to build a career in robotics as AI and physical systems converge.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚀 “It’s been even better than I expected.”

Sarah steps into her first week as Chief Operating Officer at True Anomaly, a rapidly growing space technology company reshaping the future of satellite operations and space superiority.

In this episode we explore what drew her to the role, her first impressions of True Anomaly, and the thrill of building something extraordinary in orbit. 🌌

🎙️ Tune in to hear how leadership, innovation and timing align perfectly when passion meets purpose.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Håkan Sandquist shares his career journey from working on combustion engines to leading innovations in electric powertrains at InfiMotion Technology, part of the Geely family. He dives into the company’s work on electric drive units, the growing importance of sustainability and energy solutions, and the central role of software in modern automotive engineering.

Håkan also offers career advice for young engineers, highlighting the value of curiosity, adaptability, and building strong professional networks as the industry shifts toward electrification, autonomous vehicles, and shared mobility.

The Techne Connect Podcast 🎧

Thank you for listening to Techne Connect! This podcast takes you inside the companies and conversations shaping the future of engineering.

From space and defence to robotics, AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility, each episode features the founders, engineers and technology leaders building tomorrow's world.

Through candid discussions on innovation, leadership, product development and career journeys, the podcast uncovers the ideas, challenges and breakthroughs driving the world's fastest-moving industries. Whether you're an engineer, founder, investor or simply fascinated by emerging technology.

Techne Connect offers a front-row seat to the people creating what's next.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.