Machine Minds

In this episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Sam Abidi, the Chief Commercial Officer of Monarch Tractor, a pioneering company that specializes in the development of cutting-edge smart electric tractors, aimed at revolutionizing and optimizing existing farm ecosystems.During our conversation, Sam delved into his impressive professional journey. He began his career as a contributor in a robotics research laboratory, where he honed his expertise and passion for robotics. Additionally, Sam's remarkable tenure as a management consultant at Deloitte spanned over six years, further solidifying his proficiency in strategic decision-making and business acumen in the world of robotics. Prior to assuming his current role at Monarch Tractor. Join us as we explore the exciting world of Monarch Tractors, a company that helps farmers by addressing labor availability, meeting consumer demands for sustainability, and providing actionable data-driven farming insights. Monarch enables economically competitive organic and beyond farming through intelligent electro-mechanical solutions that replace harmful chemicals.Join us as we explore the world of Farming and Robotics!Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:30 Sam’s background5:09 Monarch contacting Sam  5:48 Private Land Regulations 8:39 Monarch Tractor’s Journey 10:30 Monarch Tractor’s Customers 11:25 Monarch’s First Big Year  12:20 Monarch’s Approach To Autonomy 14:55 Functionality of Autonomous Tractors 18:41 Rentability of Autonomous Tractors 24:30  Crops Comparison Tests26:50 Monarch Tractors Approach To Farmers   30:42 Who Manages the Tractors? 33:08 Monarch Tractor Business Model  34:20 Hours of Tractor’s Autonomy 35:16 Success Stories of Monarch Tractor   37:20 Sam’s Balance 39:53 Sam’s Function on the Licensing Frontier  41:59 Partnerships43:41 Sam’s Predictions on Tech  47:28 Challenges That Agriculture Needs To Address48:56 Upcoming Innovations Monarch Tractorhttps://www.monarchtractor.com/ Sam Abidilinkedin.com/in/sam-a-8b28324bMachine 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:   https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we speaked with Paolo, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Embodied, a cutting-edge robotics company that is changing the world of education and early age development for children. As we dive into our conversation, Paolo shares his background and formative experiences that have shaped his journey in the world of robotics. From his childhood dreams of working at NASA to his diverse experiences in the field, Paolo's passion and dedication to advancing robotics technology are truly inspiring.Today, Paolo and his team at Embodied are on a mission to create life-like robotic characters that can be integrated into our homes and daily lives, providing personalized support and learning opportunities for children aged 5-10. With their flagship product, Moxie, Embodied is poised to transform the education landscape, making learning more effective, inclusive, and engaging for all.Join us as we explore the exciting world of Embodied and how their innovative technology has the potential to shape the future of education. With their commitment to developing robots that can help us with personal development, mental health, and education, Embodied is truly a company to watch. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into this fascinating conversation with Paolo.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:40 Paolo’s background3:40 Founding Embodied5:00 Developing Affordable Robots7:40 How Moxie was born8:30 AI tutoring for kids10:20 Moxie’s users11:30 Moxie’s functions and support13:00 Digital Moxie App Experience 14:30 The current impact of Moxie16:45 What happens to children that fall behind in class?17:50 Personalized lessons 19:20 Parents learning from Moxie18:40 Parenting with Moxie19:50 Therapy with Moxie21:50 What fuels the passion of Embodied?23:30 Overcoming challenges24:30 How Paolo balances different responsibilities28:40 The future of the Robotics and AI industry33:00 Paolo’s advice to engineers and aspiring entrepreneurs Embodied, Inc.https://www.linkedin.com/company/embodiedinc/Paolo Pirjanianhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paolopirjanian/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:   https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, our dialogue with Spencer, unveils his background and formative experiences that shaped his trajectory in the world of robotics. As a young child, Spencer was granted the opportunity to visit the National Robotics Engineering Center of Pittsburgh, guided by his father's cousin, Lee Wise. It was during this visit that Spencer's passion for robotics was ignited, as he saw an industrial robot executing painting, drilling, and other operations.Throughout our discussion, Spencer shares the challenges he encountered at the outset of his career, challenges that ultimately propelled him to his current position as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SKA | Custom Robots and Machines.Join us as we delve into SKA, a company that sets itself apart through its ability to solve complex problems. Furthermore, Spencer imparts advice to aspiring engineers, urging them to embrace both small and big risks in their pursuit of their dreams.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:40 Spencer’s background 7:10 How SKA stands out8:30 SKA’s involvement with clients11:40 Advantages of having a lean team13:10 Spencer’s favorite projects20:00 Evolution of robotics26:30 Humanoids 29:30 What clients are asking from SKA30:45 Challenges in the industry35:45 Pricing and clients37:00 Future of robotics and AI39:25 Exciting upcoming projects45:40 Personal questions  48:30 Advice for aspiring engineers49:30 Where to find Spencer SKA | Custom Robots and Machineshttps://www.ska.solutions/More about our guest, Spencer Krausehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerkrause/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:   https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we engaged in a conversation with Daniel Theobald, a distinguished individual who holds positions of Co-founder and President at MassRobotics, Founder and Chairman at Vecna Robotics, and Founder and CEO at Mekable.Our dialogue with Daniel unveils his background, as he narrates his formative years spent in Silicon Valley. From a tender age, he found himself immersed in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence. Notably, Daniel recounts a momentous encounter with Eduard Teller, the renowned physicist hailed as the "father of the hydrogen bomb," an experience that greatly influenced his professional journey. Subsequently, his educational pursuit led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he established his own robotics program. Since then, he has gone on to found successful companies.Throughout our discussion, it becomes evident that his teams possess a deep sense of camaraderie and mutual care, enabling them to accomplish remarkable feats and assume pioneering roles within the robotics industry.Join us as we talk about the importance of prioritizing happiness in the workplace, career decision-making, as well as nurturing a genuine concern for both the business and the individuals involved. Moreover, Daniel explains how his passion for his work has empowered him to make a tangible impact within the industry without resorting to external sources of capital or funding.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:30 Daniel’s background4:25 Impact of MassRobotics5:30 The world runs on pallets7:10 Empowering human productivity8:00 Twisted Fields8:30 Technology not taking jobs10:50 The goal of enabling affordable healthy food15:00 Organic Foods against Covid 16:00 Sharing lessons18:00 Asking for help19:00 Trusting your gut20:30 People come first26:40 Relationships with coworkers29:00 How remote working has affected working culture31:40 Taking care of your coworkers33:00 Community service and productivity36:30 Daniel’s perspective on funding40:00 Taking investor money is not always the best45:20 You’re more likely to get laid off from big companies47:40 The current state of the robotics industry50:00 We shouldn’t fear technology Twisted Fieldshttps://www.twistedfields.comVecna RoboticsVecnarobotics.com MassRoboticsmassrobotics.org/More about our guest, Daniel Theobaldlinkedin.com/in/daniel-theobaldMachine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==Youtube:https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we sit down with Abe Murray, General Partner at AlleyCorp Robotics. AlleyCorp Robotics is an early stage venture fund and incubator that founds and funds transformative companies in New York.During our discussion, Abe shares his remarkable career trajectory, which encompasses a diverse array of experiences. From his decision to forgo high school education to running fishing boats and factories of his family business, to later leading a Google research product team before AI became prominent. His background holds particular relevance to the realm of robotics. Notably, his hands-on involvement in operating forklifts and working on factory assembly lines has endowed him with insights into the practical applications of robotic technologies.Join us as we delve into a thought-provoking dialogue centered around recent advancements in the field of robotics. Furthermore, we explore the multifaceted challenges and promising opportunities that lie ahead, all while casting towards the future of this industry.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:30 Abe’s background3:40 The focus of AlleyCorp4:50 Mission of AlleyCorp Robotics6:40 The evolution of hardware in robotics9:20 The state of the robotics industry16:40 Recent investments to be excited about20:55 The misconception of robots taking jobs23:40 Challenges for robotics27:50 Better transition for employers and employees30:50 Opportunities in the near future33:30 The future of robotics40:30 Abe’s advice to innovatorsAlleyCorphttps://alleycorp.com/verticals/robotics/More about our guest, Abe Murrayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/abrahammurrayMachine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==YouTube:https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we sit down with Mika Saryan, VP of Engineering of Formic, a company that helps manufacturers grow their business by making it easy to afford, deploy, and profit from robotic automation.Mika takes us on his beginnings, starting on automotive, entertainment, consumer devices, and eventually ending up on robotics.Enjoy as he shares his passion about industrial automation, safety and the intersection between software and hardware.Mika shares advice to aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs on the field. Telling them to go into the real world, building new things, staying in the lab it's not enough, because of how loud and unpredictable the world is.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show1:25 Mika's background2:40 The importance of safety in industrial automation5:40 Challenges on Mika's career8:00 Formic's mission11:10 What makes Formic's offering unique?17:40 Trends in the automation industry23:05 Formic wanting to train operators, not displace them25:10 Labor shortage in the manufacturing industry  26:00 The future of robotics and AI30:25 Mika's advice to aspiring engineers and new start-upsFormichttps://formic.co/More about our guest, Mika Saryanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mika-saryan/Machine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==YouTube:https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we sit down with Davis Foster, Co-Founder of Scythe Robotics, a company that solves landscapers' labor issues. Davis takes us on his formation journey, from a young Lego enthusiast to Co-Founder and Chief Engineer of Scythe. Enjoy this episode with Davis, where he shares inspiring startup stories and how Scythe overcame obstacles.Davis is passionate about building high-quality products, and using top-quality pieces to build robots, Scythe's business model incentivizes them to make durable robotic mowers. Don't miss this conversation with Davis, as he describes how Scythe keeps innovating.Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show1:25 Davis's background5:45 Initial challenges on a startup6:30 Early painful machine story9:20 Vision of Scythe Robotics 11:50 Solving Market's Labor Needs14:05 How Scythe distinguishes from competition  17:15 Evading to reinvent too much22:15 Pricing of Robotic Mowers & ROI for landscapers25:30 Incentives on building durable equipment31:10 Scythe's fundraising approach 34:20 Hiring talent37:45 Keeping innovation flowingScythe Roboticshttp://scytherobotics.com/More about our guest, Davis Fosterlinkedin.com/in/davisfosterMachine 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:   Youtube: https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we sit down with Dima Dobrynin, founder of a company at the forefront of robotics solutions.  Dima takes us on his journey from an enthusiast to an innovator, sharing what motivated him to jump into this space. From his beginnings, joining self-driving cars projects, to becoming the founder of Staxel, an early stage startup company. With insights drawn from personal experience, he shares stories about approaching investors, he shares stories about witnessing great and motivational pitches about companies that will most likely impact the world in very positive ways.Dima is passionate about leading teams, the process of coding and launching a project. Don't miss this conversation with Dima, as he describes the amazing feeling of actually seing his work operating in the physical world. Time Stamps00:00 Machine Minds Show01:40  Dima's Journey in the Tech Industry10:05 Integrating Robotics with Everyday Business Solutions23:25 The Power of Storytelling in Pitches27:05 Passionate Investors and Strong Relationships32:30 Focus and Systematic Approach for Startup SuccessStaxelhttp://getstaxel.com/More about our guest, Dima Dobryninlinkedin.com/in/ddbrxMachine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==Youtube:   Youtube: https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet’s connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we take you on a captivating journey through the last nine episodes of our podcast, where we've had the privilege of hosting experts and thought leaders from the AI and tech world. From revolutionizing food service to streamlining e-commerce, optimizing piece picking processes, enhancing healthcare, providing opportunities for start-up tech business, and even strengthening national defense, our guests have showcased the transformative power of artificial intelligence across diverse industries.00:00Machine Minds Show01:34What Agot AI's technology does, where it's implemented, and how it helps.05:41Overview of HDS and how they will improve the e-commerce experience with their automated combination store.09:10What Felix Alvarez sees as the next wave of opportunities for food logistics and how companies can impact Seed to Fork.12:56Righhand Robotics, their approach and how they own the pick.14:37Overview of what they do at Dedrone from someone who used to buy their tech for the US government.18:09Vebu's vision for the future of kitchen.21:55How Intuitive's robot Ion compares to other tissue sample methods used to detect lung cancer.24:32Shield AI and How advancements in technology have helped shape the development of autonomous systems26:34Cybernetix Ventures and the importance of market expertise and tech expertise.Throughout these conversations, we've gained invaluable perspectives on the immense potential of AI across a wide spectrum of industries. Join us for this recap and get ready for even more inspiring guests and groundbreaking discussions in episodes to come. Don't miss out on the latest insights into the ever-evolving world of AI and technology!Machine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==YouTube:https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshow Let's connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

In this episode, we sit down with Fady Saad, founder of Cybernetix Ventures, a trailblazing venture capital firm that's been reshaping the landscape of early-stage investments in robotics, automation, and AI. Fady takes us on a captivating journey through his evolution in the tech realm, starting from his early days as an entrepreneur to his current role as a guiding force behind promising startups. With insights drawn from personal experience, he shares invaluable tips on how to approach investors, highlighting the critical elements that make a pitch stand out in a crowded field.Tune in as Fady divulges the four distinct verticals that form the core focus areas for Cybernetix's investments. Additionally, Fady shares some advantages and disadvantages when it comes to investing in humanoids as a subset of robotics. Don't miss this insightful conversation with a visionary leader at the forefront of innovation and investment in the tech world.Timestamps:00:00 Machine Minds Show01:42  Fady's Journey in the Tech Industry10:18 Overview of Cybernetix12:58 The Spectrum of Investment15:16 The Balance Between Technological Development and Revenue18:50 Tips on Reaching out to Potential Investors22:30 Tech Experts plus Market Experts make up an Ideal Tech Start-Up Business27:40 The four vertical focuses of Cybernetix32:25 The Reality in the Humanoid Space37:10 Valuable lessons for Start-up Entrepreneurs40:25 More about Fady More about our guest, Fady Saad:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fady-saad-0a1972/Cybernetixhttps://cybernetix.vcMachine Minds:Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1696335193Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1apGh7xMItxo9UEYUwijZL?si=a6d2646c0f6540beGoogle Podcast:https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMjEyMTQ4LnJzcw==Youtube: https://youtube.com/@machinemindsshowLet's connect on social media:IG: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/