Bridging Hardware Innovation and Business Strategy in Robotics with Milt Walker

In this episode of Machine Minds, we look at what really happens when hardware innovation meets business strategy in robotics. Director of Business Development Milt Walker joins Greg to unpack how manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem players can scale robotics responsibly—without getting stuck in proof-of-concept purgatory or pretending they’re “just” software companies. From functional safety to workforce gaps and reshoring, Milt explores the forces reshaping how robots get built, deployed, and trusted in the real world.

Milt brings a rare blend of hands-on engineering, ecosystem building, and strategic thinking. From early days fixing XT and 386 machines in a small-town computer shop, through field roles and leadership at Intel and Sick, to helping seed the Atlanta robotics community with RoboGeorgia, he’s consistently sat at the intersection of technology and partnerships. Now at Next Cobot, he focuses on giving robot builders the safety-critical and control platforms they need so they can innovate faster on what makes their systems unique.

In this conversation, Greg and Milt explore:

• Why “alignment” is Milt’s non-negotiable in partnerships—and how it changes the BD conversation
• The shift from customization to configuration as a path to real scalability
• How mid-market manufacturers and smaller warehouses can approach automation differently from the top 10% of global players
• The growing importance of safety platforms and standards as humanoids and advanced AI move closer to the factory floor
• What it actually looks like to build bridges between Taiwan and US robotics ecosystems
• Milt’s moonshot fascination with nano-robotics and “bottom-up” fabrication
• Practical career advice for engineers and technical leaders who want to move into business development and strategy roles in robotics

If you’re building robots, selling them, or betting your operations on them, this episode will sharpen how you think about partners, platforms, and the long game of automation.

Connect with Milt Walker on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwalkeriii/
Connect with Greg Toroosian on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

Chapters:
2:34 Essential Technology
3:31 Early Career Insights
4:42 Robotics Passion
7:38 Business Development Path
9:58 Atlanta's Robotics Ecosystem
12:37 Joining NexCobot
15:19 Partnership Strategies
16:14 Market Opportunities
18:33 Barriers to Adoption
21:35 Finding the Right Partners
24:15 Successful Collaborations
27:07 Customization vs. Scalability
30:44 Technological Trends
37:07 Standards and Regulations
45:41 Moonshot Ideas
47:06 Advice for Aspiring Professionals
49:21 Reflections on Career Growth