
The Times Tech Podcast
Will your humanoid robot compliment you? And the end of 23andMe?
Mar 28, 2025
Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, shares insights on the future of humanoid robots, emphasizing their design and potential roles in elder care and addressing labor shortages. The conversation dives into the intriguing notion of robots having personality traits and the emotional impact of their design on human interaction. Cardenas and the host also candidly discuss the downfall of 23andMe, exploring how a once-prominent biotech startup faced bankruptcy amid shifting health tech landscapes.
41:35
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The podcast discusses the rise of humanoid robots like those from Apptronik, emphasizing their potential to improve human life in sectors like healthcare and elder care.
- It explores the challenges faced by 23andMe, illustrating the pitfalls of overhype in the biotech industry and the complexities of consumer health technology.
Deep dives
Warby Parker's Customer Experience
Warby Parker revolutionizes the eyewear shopping experience by offering a wide selection of stylish frames alongside knowledgeable advisors and on-site optometrists. Their approach not only simplifies the process of finding the right glasses but also enhances customer service with personalized support throughout. Warby Parker locations frequently include the option for eye exams, streamlining the entire experience from choosing new glasses to obtaining a prescription. This customer-centric model showcases how retail can adapt to meet both convenience and quality in consumer interactions.