

Ken Goldberg
Professor of engineering at UC Berkeley and robotics researcher; co-founder of Ambi Robotics, known for work on robotic manipulation and automation in logistics.
Top 10 podcasts with Ken Goldberg
Ranked by the Snipd community

65 snips
Mar 29, 2025 • 58min
154. Can Robots Get a Grip?
Ken Goldberg, a UC Berkeley professor, dives into the fascinating realm of robotics. He discusses how robots struggle with seemingly simple tasks like grasping objects due to unforeseen complexities. The conversation highlights the blend of artistry and science in robotics, showcasing projects that marry technology and creativity. Goldberg also critiques the hype surrounding AI and robotics, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations. Plus, he explores how embracing randomness in data modeling can lead to groundbreaking advancements in the field.

65 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 60min
Ken Goldberg (roboticist)
Ken Goldberg, an award-winning roboticist and professor at UC Berkeley, shares his fascinating journey from Nigeria to robotics. He discusses the origins of the term 'robot' and the ongoing quest for better robot design. Ken highlights the challenges of robotic dexterity and how human capabilities are molded over time. He also reflects on the influence of his upbringing and the intersection of AI with personal identity and creativity. Tune in for humorous anecdotes and insights into the complexities of today's technological landscape.

17 snips
Mar 26, 2024 • 12min
Why don't we have better robots yet? | Ken Goldberg
Ken Goldberg, a roboticist from UC Berkeley with over 30 years of experience, dives into the fascinating world of robotics. He discusses why our dream of household robots remains unfulfilled, highlighting the complexities robots face in mastering tasks that even infants do effortlessly. Goldberg explains Moravec's paradox and the importance of simple designs to overcome current limitations. He also sheds light on advancements in AI and sensor technologies, crucial for improving robotic manipulation in everyday environments.

15 snips
Sep 13, 2024 • 2h 2min
#201 – Ken Goldberg on why your robot butler isn’t here yet
In this insightful discussion, Ken Goldberg, a renowned robotics professor at UC Berkeley and co-founder of innovative startups, shares his expertise on the future of robots in our lives. He outlines why training robots is more challenging than training language models and explores engineering hurdles that must be overcome for practical applications. Ken highlights sectors like homecare, agriculture, and medicine where robots could thrive. He reassures listeners about the continuing importance of human roles in workplaces amid automation's rise.

6 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 9min
How far away are we from humanoid robots doing our chores?
In this episode, Ken Goldberg, a robotics expert from UC Berkeley and co-founder of Ambi Robotics, dives into the future of household humanoid robots. He discusses the significant challenges household environments pose for robots, including confusing shiny utensils. Ken shares insights from a recent robotics conference, expressing skepticism about the rapid adoption of humanoids. He emphasizes that while robots can augment roles in logistics, true humanoid companions are likely still years away due to the complexities in physical tasks.

Nov 14, 2022 • 47min
Sim2Real and Optimus, the Humanoid Robot with Ken Goldberg - #599
Ken Goldberg, a UC Berkeley professor and chief scientist at Ambi Robotics, dives into the evolving world of robotics. He discusses his award-winning work on autonomously untangling cables, shedding light on challenges and solutions. The conversation also covers Tesla's Optimus robot and its implications for home robotics. Ken shares insights on advancements in sorting technology with AmbiSort and emphasizes the importance of blending simulation with real-world data to enhance robotic capabilities. A fascinating exploration of the future of intelligent machines!

Dec 2, 2025 • 9min
How far away are we from humanoid robots doing our chores?
In this conversation, Ken Goldberg, an engineering professor at UC Berkeley and co-founder of Ambi Robotics, shares his insights on humanoid robots. He discusses the challenges of home environments that confuse robot sensors and the timeline for when these robots might actually help with chores—predicting a 10 to 25-year wait. Ken emphasizes that while robots will augment human roles, they won't replace jobs requiring empathy. He also highlights realistic near-term applications in logistics rather than household tasks, dispelling sci-fi myths about humanoid capabilities.

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 2min
Tiffany Shlain & Ken Goldberg
Tiffany Shlain is a multidisciplinary artist and Emmy-nominated filmmaker, best known for founding the Webby Awards. Ken Goldberg is an award-winning roboticist and professor at UC Berkeley. Together, they explore their artistic collaborations and the intersection of art and technology. They discuss the impact of their family legacies on innovation, their groundbreaking projects like 'Dendrofeminology,' and the ethical challenges in AI and robotics. Their conversation weaves together personal stories and reflections on creativity, nature, and a hopeful future for technology.

Sep 30, 2024 • 22min
Highlights: #201 – Ken Goldberg on why your robot butler isn’t here yet
Ken Goldberg, a leading expert in robotics and AI, dives into why we still don't have our robot butlers. He explains Moravec's Paradox, revealing the surprising complexities robots face compared to humans. The conversation touches on the remarkable advancements in drone and quadruped technology, yet emphasizes the ongoing challenges in robot perception and control. Goldberg also discusses how automation could reshape the job market, particularly in sectors requiring high fault tolerance, like surgery and cooking, highlighting the enduring need for human expertise.

May 17, 2024 • 13min
Why don't we have better robots yet? | Ken Goldberg
Roboticist Ken Goldberg discusses the challenges of creating more dexterous robots for everyday tasks like chores. He explores the complexities of robot hand design, software intricacies, and advancements in robotic object manipulation. The conversation delves into the difficulties of developing robots that can untangle cables, fold laundry, and perform tasks like e-commerce sorting.


