The Moonshot Podcast
X, The Moonshot Factory
What if the keys to solve the world’s hardest problems – food security, energy resilience, the digital divide – were already within our grasp?Welcome to The Moonshot Podcast, where we go behind the scenes at X, The Moonshot Factory, to celebrate 15 years of Google’s innovation laboratory. Hosted by Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots, this series gives you unprecedented access to the radical ideas and fearless inventors working to build a future we want to live in.Explore real-world moonshots—from self-driving cars to AI-powered disaster prediction—and discover the messy, exhilarating journey of creating breakthrough technologies with the potential to reshape our world. Some ideas will succeed. Some will fail. But every moonshot moves us forward.Subscribe now to The Moonshot Podcast, a Blanchard House production for X, The Moonshot Factory.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 54min
Episode 6: Trash to Treasure
Join Emily Ma, a former mechanical engineer at Alphabet's moonshot factory, and Rey Banatao, a leader in innovative recycling solutions, as they tackle the huge issues of food and plastic waste. They explore an air traffic control system for surplus food and discuss advanced technology's role in revolutionizing waste management. The conversation highlights the staggering impacts of waste on our economy and environment, emphasizing transformative community efforts and the potential of digital solutions to combat food insecurity.
11 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 60min
Episode 5: Living With Robots
In a captivating discussion, Hans Peter Brondmo, a tech entrepreneur behind the Everyday Robots project, and Wendy Tan White, CEO of Intrinsic, share their insights on the future of robotics. Artist-engineer Catie Cuan adds flair by teaching robots to dance, showcasing the blend of artistry and technology. They delve into the pressing need for robotics in elder care and aging populations, and explore how enhancing human-robot interaction can reshape public perception. The conversation ultimately highlights how robots can evolve from mere tools to trusted companions.
33 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 47min
Episode 4: Feeding The World
In this engaging discussion, Elliot Grant, an engineer dedicated to global food security, teams up with Evan Rapoport, founder of Tidal, and David Guerena, a research scientist focused on crop resilience in Africa. They explore innovative technologies revolutionizing agriculture. Topics include AI's role in improving crop yields and sustainable solutions for ocean aquaculture. The conversation highlights the importance of seed banks for genetic diversity and how robotics is transforming smallholder farming, all aimed at feeding a growing world population.
28 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 46min
Episode 3: Machines That Think – The AI Moonshot
Benoît Schillings, a former CTO at X and VP of research at Google DeepMind, and Olivia Hatalsky, a Director at Google DeepMind, share insights into the transformative power of AI. They discuss the inception and evolution of Google Brain, revealing its impact on deep learning and coding. The conversation highlights Project Ada, an AI designed to simplify coding, and the potential of AI to revolutionize innovation across various sectors. Their perspectives shed light on the exciting possibilities and challenges of integrating AI into everyday problem-solving.
13 snips
Mar 17, 2025 • 49min
Episode 2: Essential Connections
Mahesh Krishnaswamy, a key player at X focused on affordable internet access, and Nick Kohli, a creative force at X's Moonshot Factory, share their groundbreaking insights. They delve into Loon's daring high-altitude balloon project and its legacy in Taara, which employs light beams for connectivity. Expect amusing tales of balloon mishaps, unconventional challenges like monkeys disrupting setups, and the bold mission to enhance internet accessibility in Africa, especially across the Congo River. Their passion for tackling connectivity issues shines through!
28 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 54min
Episode 1: Driving The Future
Sebastian Thrun, co-founder of X and a pioneer in self-driving technology, teams up with Andre Prager, chief engineer at Wing, who has long been passionate about aviation. They recount the incredible journey of self-driving cars and drone deliveries, from skepticism to reality. The conversation dives into the transformative impact of autonomous vehicles on urban mobility and logistics, touching upon regulatory hurdles and community engagement. They also explore the ethical responsibilities of innovation, emphasizing collaboration for societal benefits.
Feb 26, 2025 • 2min
The Moonshot Podcast Trailer
Premiering March 10th! The Moonshot Podcast chronicles the untold stories of innovation - both highs and lows - from 15 years inside Google’s Moonshot Factory. Go behind the scenes with the inventors and creators exploring the huge problems, radical solutions and breakthrough technologies that have the potential to reshape our world. Self-driving cars, superhuman hearing, robots, drone delivery, wildfire prediction and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
