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Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO of Aurora, has nearly two decades of experience in autonomous vehicles, including pioneering work at Google. He shares thrilling tales from the DARPA Challenge, including lessons from building a Humvee robot. The discussion dives into the future of autonomous trucking, focusing on the benefits of Class 8 long-haul vehicles, real-world testing milestones, and the intricate technology like new FMCW LiDAR. Urmson also reflects on his journey from Google to founding Aurora, highlighting the societal benefits of autonomy.

Michael Porter, Chief Technology Officer of OceanWell, pioneers submerged desalination systems. He shares how he created a prototype right in his kitchen and the technical challenges of providing fresh water from the ocean floor. The discussion reveals how innovations from the oil and gas industry are making this ambitious project feasible. Michael also highlights environmentally friendly practices to protect marine life and outlines the economic viability of undersea desalination, aiming for significant water self-reliance and benefits by 2028.

Justin Lopas, co-founder and COO of Base Power, tackles the critical challenge of delivering more energy without extensive grid expansion. He shares insights on how home batteries can alleviate peak demand and reduce costly upgrades. Justin elaborates on Base Power’s innovative model of selling electricity alongside batteries, offering savings and reliability. He discusses the rapid demand for installations in Texas and the company's mission to lower electricity costs, all while navigating the complexities of scaling and manufacturing.

Fletcher Wilson, co-founder and CEO of Throne Labs, tackles the challenge of making public bathrooms cleaner, safer, and more accessible. He discusses the historic decline of public toilets and how his team designs innovative, movable bathroom units equipped with smart features to prevent vandalism. Fletcher shares interesting insights about community advocacy and how local users often take pride in these facilities. He also recounts lessons learned from early tests, emphasizing accessibility and user feedback as keys to improving the public restroom experience.

Boris Sofman, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics and former Waymo engineer, dives into the future of construction with autonomous diggers. He shares insights on how machine learning from autonomous vehicles is revolutionizing heavy machinery. Boris discusses the labor shortage in the construction industry, explaining how autonomy could boost building capacity. He highlights the unique challenges of teaching machines to dig while addressing safety concerns at construction sites, and also reflects on his journey from the Soviet Union to leading innovation in robotics.

Justin Kolbeck, co-founder and CEO of Wildtype, is on a mission to revolutionize seafood by cultivating salmon cells without harming fish. He discusses the thrill of watching heart cells beat, the challenges of scaling production, and navigating regulatory hurdles. Justin emphasizes the urgency of addressing wild fish stock issues and details their journey from lab experiments to potential cost-effective solutions. With taste tests showing consumers can't tell the difference from traditional salmon, Wildtype aims for a sustainable future in seafood.

Ed Conway, an economics journalist and author of 'Material World,' dives into the impactful role of materials in advancing civilization. He reveals how glass drove scientific breakthroughs, linking Renaissance art to modern technology. Iron and coal's transformation led to the steam engine's rise, but today's steel production poses significant CO2 challenges. Meanwhile, copper is crucial for electrification yet faces scarcity and environmental hurdles. Conway emphasizes the trade-offs of materials, highlighting our past's influence on the future.

Shashank Samala, the CEO and co-founder of Heirloom, discusses innovative carbon capture solutions using crushed limestone. He shares how his childhood in India shaped his passion for tackling climate change. The conversation dives into the cost-effective methods of capturing atmospheric CO2 and the role of government policies in supporting this industry. Shashank also highlights a groundbreaking project aimed at capturing one million tons of carbon annually, drawing parallels with the solar industry's evolution.

Aaron Parness, Director of Applied Science at Amazon Robotics, discusses the challenges of building robots that can efficiently organize and handle items in chaotic environments. He explains the groundbreaking work done with the Vulcan robotic arm, designed for unpredictable warehouse layouts. The conversation dives into tactile sensing integration and how it enhances robotic capabilities. Parness also touches on potential applications beyond warehousing, linking technological advancements with personal growth and future planning.

Carl Hoiland, co-founder and CEO of Zanskar, shares his insights on revolutionizing geothermal energy. He discusses groundbreaking techniques to locate steam deposits beneath the earth's surface, highlighting the advances in AI and probabilistic modeling that enhance drilling precision. Carl recounts the thrilling challenges of geothermal well drilling and the emotional stakes involved. He underscores the potential of geothermal energy in the clean energy transition and how these innovations could reshape the industry in the future.