Machine Minds

In this episode I sit down with Peter Fitzpatrick, co-founder and CEO of Fawn Friends, to discuss how his company is creating cuddly robots designed to help neurodivergent kids form meaningful connections, set goals, and manage their emotions. Peter shares the inspiring journey behind Fawn Robotics, including his personal motivations and the pivotal moments that led him to leave a successful career and fully dedicate himself to this mission.We dive into the unique features of Fawn’s robots, including how they are designed to be affordable, interactive, and deeply connected to a rich character narrative that resonates with children. Peter also discusses the ethical considerations of introducing technology into children’s lives and how Fawn Robotics is committed to ensuring these robots are a positive influence.If you’re interested in the intersection of technology, mental health, and child development, this episode offers valuable insights into how robotics can be a force for good.Time Stamps01:20 Peter Fitzpatrick’s Background05:30 The Founding Story of Fawn Robotics08:12 Creating Cuddly Robots for Kids11:41 The Role of Character and Storytelling in Fawn18:11 Ethical Considerations in Children’s Robotics22:33 The Technology Behind Fawn29:07 Building a Mission-Driven Team35:19 The Future of Robotics in Child Development42:05 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Adam Lloyd Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Now Cuisine, to explore how his company is transforming the food tech industry by bringing restaurant-quality meals closer to consumers through cutting-edge automation. Adam shares his extensive background in 3D printing, robotics, and entrepreneurship, detailing how his experiences have shaped the innovative approach of Now Cuisine.We delve into the unique technology behind Now Cuisine’s kiosks, designed to offer high-quality meals without the need for on-site staff or extensive facilities. Adam discusses the challenges of creating a business model that leverages automation to solve real-world problems, such as food deserts, inconsistent food quality, and the inefficiencies of third-party delivery services.Whether you’re a foodie, tech enthusiast, or interested in the future of on-demand dining, this episode offers a fascinating look at how robotics is poised to revolutionize the way we access and enjoy food.Time Stamps01:15 Adam Lloyd Cohen’s Background in 3D Printing and Robotics08:30 The Founding of Now Cuisine11:25 The Technology Behind Automated Food Kiosks16:45 Overcoming Challenges in the Food Tech Industry23:00 The Importance of Business Models and Customer Focus29:40 Leadership and Team Building in Startups34:20 The Future of Food Tech and Robotics40:55 What’s Next for Now Cuisine

In this exciting episode of Machine Minds, we sit down with Francisco Martin Rayo, the CEO and Co-founder of Helios, a groundbreaking company harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize the agricultural supply chain. Join us as we explore how Helios is transforming the industry by predicting supply availability and identifying climate and economic risks that impact yields.Francisco shares the inspiring story behind Helios, detailing the initial spark that ignited his passion for technology and innovation. He dives into the founding journey alongside his co-founder, revealing the challenges they faced and the milestones they achieved in building a company that leverages billions of data points to provide actionable insights.We also discuss the future of AI in agriculture, exploring emerging trends, potential disruptions, and how the technology is poised to reshape the way we approach supply chain management. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about the intersection of agriculture and technology, and how Helios is leading the charge toward a more resilient and efficient future.Tune in to discover how AI is not just predicting the future, but actively shaping it!00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction01:20 Francisco’s journey07:14 Initial spark in tech space09:00 Founding history behind Helios and what they do13:40 Problems to solve26:02 Lessons Francisco learned35:04 The importance of assembling a good team44:08 Future of the AI industry 49:36 Advice for entrepreneurs More about Helioshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/helios-sc/about/More about our guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-martin-rayo-b95b393/Machine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   Let’s connect on social media: IG:

In this episode of Machine Minds, I sit down with Saman Farid, founder and CEO of Formic, to explore his journey from engineering to entrepreneurship and how he's addressing the robotics gap in manufacturing. Saman shares his unique insights into the challenges and opportunities within the manufacturing industry, particularly how robotics can revolutionize productivity and worker safety.We dive into Saman’s diverse career path, which spans from engineering roles at Honeywell and Verizon to a decade in venture capital. He discusses how these experiences shaped his approach to building Formic, a company that's making automation more accessible for manufacturers. Saman also talks about the importance of customer-centric innovation and why understanding the real-world needs of manufacturers is crucial for success.If you’re interested in how robotics can transform industries and want to hear from someone who’s on the frontlines of this change, this episode is a must-listen.Time Stamps01:20 Saman Farid’s Background05:30 Transitioning from Engineering to Venture Capital08:12 The Founding Story of Formic11:41 The Robotics Gap in Manufacturing18:11 Challenges in Deploying Robotics Solutions22:33 Innovation vs. Reliability in Robotics29:07 Building a Customer-Centric Company35:19 The Future of Robotics in Manufacturing42:05 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursMore about our guest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanfarid/------Connect with me on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode of the Machine Minds podcast, we sit down with Christoph Kohstall, a remarkable Stanford University student and the visionary founder and CEO of Kind Humanoid. Join us as we explore Christoph's inspiring journey into the world of robotics and artificial intelligence, where he is dedicated to creating intelligent robots that enhance labor and contribute to a better tomorrow.Christoph shares insights into his early fascination with robotics, his experiences at Google Brain, and the pivotal moments that led him to establish Kind Humanoid. We dive deep into the mission and achievements of his company, discussing how it aims to revolutionise the way humans interact with technology.As we navigate through the challenges Christoph faced during the startup phase of Kind Humanoid, he reveals the lessons learned and the resilience required to overcome obstacles in the fast-paced tech landscape. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with inspiration, innovation, and a glimpse into the future of robotics.00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction01:35 Christoph’s journey 03:52 Christoph’s jump into robotic and AI05:07 Initial spark for Kind Humanoid 06:51 Founding story behind Kind Humanoid06:17 Company's mission10:57 Early days challenges18:30 Technical challenges of building humans21:46 Superhuman instead of more in line with human23:25 Success for achieving the mission24:24 Biggest impact of the robots25:48 Qualities to look for when hiring 29:13 How to ensure team innovation?31:29 Future of robotics and AI37:51 What’s next for Kind Humanoid?More about Kind Humanoidhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/kind-humanoid/https://www.kindhumanoid.com/More about our guesthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christophkohstall/Machine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   Let’s connect on social media: IG: 

In this exciting episode of Machine Minds, we sit down with Bob Rogers, Co-Founder and CEO of Oii, a pioneering software development company founded in 2021. Oii is revolutionizing supply chain planning by enabling organizations to consistently achieve the perfect setup to meet their strategic goals and leverage benefits. By combining multi-objective mathematical modeling techniques with the power of AI, Oii helps businesses find and maintain optimal network configurations that maximize service while minimizing costs.Join us as Bob shares the inspiring founding story of Oii and discusses his involvement with other innovative companies, including BeeKeeperAI. He opens up about the three career mentors who have guided him along the way and reflects on personal experiences that have shaped his entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won't want to miss!00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction01:35 How Bob learned to surf 03:05 Bob’s career journey05:16 Mentorships during his career  08:38 Oii's functions11:00 What differentiates Oii12:55 Founding story behind Oii16:26 Early days challenges28:47 Customers feedback 32:23 Other companies he got involved with38:36 Challenges as an entrepreneur45:05 Qualities to look for 51:13 Trends emerging in AI55:58 Oii future goals59:37 Regulations 1:05:03 Advice for entrepreneursMore about Oii and BeeKeeperAIhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/oiiai/http://www.beekeeperai.com/Machine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   Let’s connect on social media: IG:   / machinemindsshow   LinkedIn:   / gregtoroosian

In this episode of Machine Minds, I’m joined by Arshan Poursohi, co-founder and CEO of Third Wave Automation. Arshan has an impressive background, having worked with tech giants like Google and Toyota Research before venturing out to start his own company. We explore his journey from R&D labs to founding Third Wave Automation, where they’re revolutionizing the forklift industry with autonomous solutions.Arshan shares the unique challenges and opportunities that come with building AI-driven robotics, emphasizing the importance of balancing cutting-edge innovation with practical business needs. We also dive into the concept of "shared autonomy" and how Third Wave is using human-in-the-loop machine learning to create more reliable and adaptable robots.If you're curious about the intersection of AI, robotics, and real-world applications, this episode is for you. Arshan’s insights into the future of automation and the evolving role of human workers in this landscape are particularly timely and thought-provoking.Time Stamps01:20 Arshan Poursohi’s Background05:30 Transitioning from Big Tech to Startups08:12 The Founding Story of Third Wave Automation11:41 Autonomous Forklifts and Shared Autonomy18:11 Challenges in AI and Robotics22:33 Innovation vs. Practicality in Business29:07 Building a Strong Team35:19 The Future of Robotics and AI42:05 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursMore about our guest:linkedin.com/in/arshanpoursohi------Connect with me on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

In this episode, I speak with Abdo John Hajj, Managing Partner at Type One Ventures, as he discusses where technology and human progress converge. Abdo walks us through his journey in venture capital and how his firm is backing innovative companies shaping the future.We discuss the challenges of investing in cutting-edge technologies and what it really takes to identify ideas that can change industries. Abdo also reflects on the current landscape of venture capital and offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.If you're interested in how technology can drive growth, and the role of venture capital in making that happen, this conversation is for you.Time Stamps01:20 Abdo John Hajj’s Background05:30 The Path to Type One Ventures06:05 Founding and Scaling a Venture Firm08:12 Key Challenges in Early-Stage Investing09:10 Insights on Identifying Breakthrough Technologies11:41 What Type One Ventures Does18:11 Innovations and Industry Transformations22:33 Growth and Future Directions29:07 Company Culture at Type One Ventures32:03 Trends in Technology and Venture Capital35:19 Vision for the Future of Innovation36:41 Advice for Aspiring Investors and EntrepreneursMore about our guest:linkedin.com/in/abdojohnhajj------Connect with me on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

Tune in to this exciting conversation this week with our guest Ali Ahmed, the Co-founder and CEO of Robomart. He's actually changing the retail industry in his very own way—through robotics. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey from a global career across various industries to creating a company that changes how we shop.Ali shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career trajectory and the one-of-a-kind challenges he had to overcome in the early days of Robomart. We get deep into the groundbreaking tech behind Robomart and debate what's next for autonomous retail. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or simply a curious soul of what the future of shopping has in store, here's a conversation full of insights and inspiration.Safe to say that Ali is one of the top robotics minds, so tune in as we navigate all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the latest trends in tech, and what it takes to be successful amidst the ever-changing tides in this field.Time Stamps01:20 Ali Ahmed’s Background05:30 The Journey to Robomart06:05 Founding the Company08:12 Early Challenges and Breakthroughs09:10 Insights on Building a Startup11:41 What Robomart Does18:11 Innovations in Retail Robotics22:33 Expansion and Future Plans29:07 Company Culture at Robomart32:03 Trends in Robotics and Autonomous Retail35:19 Vision for the Future36:41 Advice for Aspiring FoundersMore about Robomart:robomart.ai/More about our guest:linkedin.com/in/roboticali------Connect with me on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian

Join us for an enlightening episode of Machine Minds as we sit down with Rosalind Shinkle, the Co-Founder and CEO of Adagy Robotics. Rosalind has been a trailblazer in the world of robotics engineering, specializing in machine learning and robotics. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of how Rosalind turned an initial idea into a groundbreaking company.From her early fascination with technology and startups to her transformative experience at Y Combinator, Rosalind shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career. We explore the cutting-edge innovations and trends in robotics that are redefining industries, and gain insight into the vision driving Adagy Robotics forward.Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the leading minds in robotics as we discuss the future of tech, the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, and what it takes to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of robotics engineering. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that's sure to ignite your imagination and passion for technology.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction01:20 Rosalind’s background05:30  Adagy Robotics 06:05 Meeting her co-founder08:12 Hurdles in the early days09:10 YC experiences11:41 What the company doe18:11 Robotic companies22:33 What’s next?29:07 Company culture32:03 Trends in robotics and innovations35:19 What the future looks like36:41 Advice for future foundersMore about Adagy Robotics:https://www.adagyrobotics.com/More about our guest:linkedin.com/in/rosalind-shinkleMore about Adagy Robotics:https://www.adagyrobotics.com/More about our guest:linkedin.com/in/rosalind-shinkleMachine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast..Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7x... Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...YouTube:    / @machinemindsshow   Let’s connect on social media: IG:   / machinemindsshow   LinkedIn:   / gregtoroosian