This Week in Startups

AI Robots with Purpose with Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics | E1947

May 11, 2024

01:13:36

Snipd AI

Jake Loosararian, Co-founder of Gecko Robotics, talks about purpose-built robots, 'bear hugging' customers, and future robot capabilities. They discuss the challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure, using advanced robots for inspection tasks, and the importance of leveraging technology for efficient infrastructure management.

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Purpose-designed robots cater to specific tasks like climbing structures for inspection.

Gecko Robotics' shift to enterprise software Canalie focuses on solving customer problems.

Integration of AI with robotics data aims to predict failures and optimize maintenance strategies.

Deep dives

Innovation with Autonomous Robots in Infrastructure

The podcast episode delves into the world of autonomous robots and their application in critical infrastructure maintenance. It emphasizes the need to earn the right to build advanced robots by first solving current issues. This approach involves creating purpose-designed robots for specific tasks, like climbing structures for inspection. The discussion highlights the importance of building solutions focused on structural integrity and operational efficiency, moving beyond traditional maintenance routines.

Introduction

3min

Revolutionizing Infrastructure Protection with Robotics

7min

Importance of SOC 2 Compliance for Sales Teams and Robot Development

2min

Robotics in Infrastructure Inspection

8min

Navigating Startup Team Building, Digital Twins, and Business Model Evolution

4min

Customer-Centric Transformation and Digital Twin Technology in Industry Management

6min

Exploring AI Progress and Practical Applications for Business Growth

2min

Innovative Solutions for Structural Integrity and Maintenance of Critical Infrastructure

19min

Integrating Technology into Traditional Industries

10min

10.

Exploring the Potential of Humanoid and Walking Dog Robots

13min

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Todays show:

Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics joins Jason to discuss the purpose-designed robots being built at Gecko (3:01), the value of “bear hugging” your key customers (23:39), the “BOM” of current and future robots (1:02:14), and more!

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics joins Jason.

(3:01) The purpose-designed robots being built at Gecko.

(7:03) Origin story behind Jake’s startup.

(9:45) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(10:38) Show us the robots!

(17:43) Details on the frequency of needed infrastructure inspections. (19:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (23:39) The value of “bear hugging” your key customers. (27:42) Bridging physical and digital with Gecko’s Cantilever digital twins. (29:36) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - The Next Wave: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextWavePod “The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8elHTM9cOOA

(33:50) Extending the value of inspections with fixed sensors. (46:47) Opening up the conversation to the AI data collected.

(54:44) Why some robotics companies fail while others succeed.

(1:02:14) The “BOM” of current and future robots.

(1:06:29) Where humanoid robots may first be “employed”.

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Check out Gecko Robotics: https://www.geckorobotics.com/

Follow Jake:

X: https://twitter.com/loosararian_j

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-loosararian-23981350/

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

Thank you to our partners:

(9:45) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at http://www.vanta.com/twist

(19:24) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist (29:36) Hubspot for Podcast Networks - The Next Wave: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNextWavePod “The Large Language Model Race with Pete Huang, Founder of The Neuron” episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8elHTM9cOOA

Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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