Audrow Nash Podcast

Hosted by Audrow Nash

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Oct 2025

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In-depth, unscripted conversations with CEOs, CTOs, and thought leaders in the robotics industry, covering cutting-edge technology, business strategies, and the future of automation.

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24 recent

October 7, 2025Episode 251 hr 29 min

What If Robots Actually Did the Most Important Jobs in the World?

What if robots stopped doing just the simple, repetitive work and instead took on the most important, life-changing jobs in the world?I talk with Fred Parietti, Co-founder and CEO of Multiply Labs, about how advanced robotics can transform pharmaceutical manufacturing by automating the complex and high-value tasks that save lives.You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics, automation in healthcare, and how technology can tackle some of the toughest challenges in next-generation medicine.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/episodes/25-multiplylabsEPISODE LINKS- Fred Parietti's website: http://federicoparietti.com- Fred Parietti's X: https://x.com/FredParietti- Fred Parietti's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-parietti- Multiply Labs website: https://multiplylabs.com- Multiply Labs X: https://x.com/multiplylabs- Multiply Labs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/multiply-labsPODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(0:53) Multiply Labs Overview(7:17) Pharma Robotics Gap(16:18) Next-Gen Pharma(34:04) Multiply Labs Automation(43:58) Deployment Size(1:00:06) Thoughts on Humanoids(1:10:02) Training Process(1:21:45) High-Value Problems(1:24:58) Key Takeaways

August 21, 2025Episode 241 hr 44 min

Do Humanoid Robots Need Legs? The Surprising Logic Behind Robot Design Choices

Do robots really need to look—and move—like us? What physics and practical needs are driving these decisions behind the scenes?I talk with Pras Velagapudi, CTO of Agility Robotics, about why their team settled on a humanoid robot design (with legs!), how real-world constraints shape robotics, and the logic behind choices that go far beyond following trends.You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics, automation, engineering tradeoffs, or the practical side of how machines are designed to do useful work alongside people.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/episodes/24-agilityroboticsEPISODE LINKS- Pras Velagapudi's website: https://pras.ai- Pras Velagapudi on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/pvelagapudi- Agility Robotics website: https://www.agilityrobotics.com- Agility Robotics on X: https://x.com/agilityrobotics- Agility Robotics on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agilityroboticsPODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(0:42) Agility Overview(5:29) Why Humanoid Design(13:31) Why Legs, Not Wheels(23:19) Digit’s application(38:26) Safety in Humanoids(49:15) Standardizing Safety(1:06:50) Digit in Other Industries(1:15:06) How AI Fits into Robotics(1:29:23) Is Data Still Gold?(1:35:57) The Future of Agility(1:38:16) Key Takeaways

July 8, 2025Episode 231 hr 39 min

Are We Missing the Real Value in Robotics? Practical Automation’s Hidden Impact

What’s the real value of robotics today? Are we missing the biggest opportunities by chasing hype?I talk with Stefan Seltz-Axmacher, CEO of Polymath Robotics, and Ilia Baranov, CTO of Polymath Robotics, about why the most impactful robotics work isn’t always the flashiest—and how their modular autonomy stack is quietly transforming industries like mining, agriculture, and logistics.You’ll like this interview if you’re interested in how robotics is actually solving labor shortages, why “boring” automation often creates the most value, and what it takes to build a sustainable robotics business in a world obsessed with viral demos.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/episodes/23-polymathEPISODE LINKSStefan Seltz-Axmacher, CEO & Co-Founderhttps://x.com/stefanesahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanseltzaxmacherIlia Baranov, Co-Founder & CTOhttps://x.com/IliaBaranovhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/iliabaranovPolymath Roboticshttps://www.polymathrobotics.comhttps://x.com/polymathrobotshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/polymath-robotics/- Automate It podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@polymathrobotics3646- Automate It podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1lL9aEPOSYzajj21NMV9oG- Automate It podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/automate-it-a-robotics-podcast/id1652686795PODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(0:12) Polymath Overview(6:55) Robotics Standards Gap(12:14) Market Reality(17:16) Labor Shortages(24:20) Cutting Mining Costs(34:00) AgTech Needs Action(43:17) Practical Autonomy(52:15) Humanoid Future(1:12:49) LLM & Coding(1:21:15) Work-Kids Balance(1:36:15) Key Takeaways

May 1, 2025Episode 221 hr 39 min

How Are Investors Navigating the Wild Frontier of Robotics Startups?

How are investors navigating the wild frontier of robotics startups? The rules for deep tech investing are still being written.I talk with Brannon Jones, DeepTech Investor at AlleyCorp, about why robotics is an untamed investment landscape, how smart investors evaluate robotics companies, and which sectors are primed for robotic disruption.You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics startups, venture capital's approach to hardware, or understanding which deep tech innovations are hype versus reality.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/22-alleycorp/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- Brannon Jones X: https://x.com/robotjonez- Brannon Jones LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jones-brannon- AlleyCorp Website: https://alleycorp.com- AlleyCorp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alleycorpPODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(0:23) AlleyCorp Overview (3:57) DeepTech (11:13) AlleyCorp’s Reach (15:43) Portfolio Highlights (17:32) Eyebot Kiosk (23:24) SaaS vs. DeepTech (28:58) Portal Space (33:35) Aescape Massage Robot (45:06) Valar Atomics (49:27) Koop Technologies (51:21) Glacier Robotics (55:29) Civ Robotics (56:24) Investment Challenges (1:09:51) Market-Focused Startups (1:14:30) Early Robotics Investments (1:24:00) Humanoids (1:28:35) Deglobalization (1:32:52) Hype vs. Reality in Robotics (1:38:23) Key Takeaways

April 8, 2025Episode 211 hr 34 min

From Napkin Sketches to Precision Frames: How Robots Are Transforming Home Building

Housing is expensive, and a big part of that cost is labor. What if robots could build the frames for our homes, making construction faster, safer, and more affordable?I talk with Barrett Ames, Co-founder of BotBuilt, about how his company is revolutionizing home construction by automating the framing process. Barrett shares how they've solved the challenges of working with imperfect lumber, translating floor plans into precise 3D models, and reducing on-site framing time from weeks to just hours.You'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics startups finding that sweet spot between technical challenge and market opportunity, the future of construction, or how automation might help address America's housing crisis.JOBS AT BOTBUILThttps://jobs.audrownashpodcast.com/jobs?q=BotBuiltTRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/21-botbuilt/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- Barrett Ames' website: https://www.cbames.com/- BotBuilt's website: https://www.botbuilt.com/- Barrett on X/Twitter: https://x.com/cbames- Barrett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbames- BotBuilt on X/Twitter: https://x.com/botbuilt_- BotBuilt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/botbuilt/PODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- Podcast Jobs board: https://jobs.audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(2:20) Overview(7:01) Challenges(18:43) Sketch to Structure(27:26) Generative Solutions(30:53) Structuring Build(36:08) When Things Go Wrong(42:43) Traditional vs. Automated(57:28) Time & Cost(1:08:32) Long-Term Vision(1:15:02) Construction Opportunities(1:24:39) Lessons Learned(1:33:33) Final Thoughts

March 13, 2025Episode 201 hr 35 min

From Cloud to Edge: Why Vision Processing is Shifting Closer to the Sensor

Ever wondered how robots actually "see" the world? Or why Tesla can achieve so much with just vision?I talk with Bradley Dillon, CEO of Luxonis, about how their AI-enabled cameras are becoming the eyes and brains of robots everywhere. Bradley shares how they've sold over 150,000 vision platforms and why processing at the edge (right on the camera) is revolutionizing robotics.You'll like this interview if you're interested in computer vision, edge computing, or how vision technology is making automation possible in industries from agriculture to security screening.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/20-luxonis/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- Luxonis Website: https://www.luxonis.com- Luxonis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luxonis/- Luxonis X: https://x.com/luxonis- Bradley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-dillon/- Bradley's X: https://x.com/bradley_luxonisPODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(1:52) Bradley Dillon & Luxonis Overview(8:34) Luxonis’s Equipments(13:02) Integrating Multiple Sensors(20:40) Applications of Luxonis Vision(25:02) Luxonis & Computing Power(30:08) Linking Multiple Devices(31:41) Luxonis AI Models(36:31) Data Generation & Labeling(46:25) Future Predictions(50:00) AI for Scene Understanding(59:33) Targeting Industries for Innovation(1:04:54) Smart Security Screening(1:11:46) Growth Story(1:18:58) Chip Supply Challenges(1:26:37) Future Sensor Additions(1:32:45) Luxonis Resources(1:34:53) Outro

February 26, 2025Episode 1958 min

What Happens When Robotics Experts Gather in Secret?

Ever wonder what happens when robotics experts gather in a secret location to share their cutting-edge work? In this special episode, I bring you live interviews from a stealth robotics event between Austin and San Antonio.I talk with - Kyle Morgenstein, PhD student at UT Austin working on making legged robots safe in human environments; - David Venegas, Head of Operations at Durin, who's automating critical tasks in mining exploration; and - Barrett Ames, co-founder of BotBuilt, whose robots are revolutionizing home construction.You'll like this interview if you're interested in the future of robotics across different industries, from research to startups, and how automation is solving real-world problems in safety, mining, and construction.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/19-texas-secret/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- March 8th event invite: https://lu.ma/vqi7e7xe?tk=CpLKNx- Kyle Morgenstein's website: https://www.kylemorgenstein.com/- Human Centered Robotics Lab: https://sites.utexas.edu/hcrl/- Durin's website: https://www.durin.com/- BotBuilt's website: https://www.botbuilt.com/PODCAST LINKS- Podcast Website: https://audrownashpodcast.com/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@audrow- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/audrow-nash-podcast/id1716486786- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/74jWpWiLwsasY2QHtDcl8I?si=6c92796bf9554162TIMECODES(0:00) Start(1:21) Kyle: Legged Robot Safety(3:55) Improving Robot Safety for Humans(7:25) Humanoid Robots: Progress & Future(10:39) Boston Dynamics vs. Unitree(12:29) Reward Models for Safer Robots(15:12) Foundation Models: Impact on Data & Timelines(17:18) Teleoperation Efficiency(19:25) Training Robots Using YouTube Data(20:48) David: Mining Basics(29:10) Automating Mining Tasks(34:49) Access Challenges in Excavation(36:58) Use of Simulation(38:03) Barrett: Construction Robots(41:42) Custom Home Focus(43:07) Botbuilt’s Approach(44:16) Botbuilt’s Data Sourcing(49:48) Working With Robots(50:09) Perception Stack(52:21) Handling Lumber Challenges(53:39) Margins vs. Pre-Fab Homes(53:58) Transport Costs(56:03) Botbuilt’s Lifecycle(58:18) Outro

February 11, 2025Episode 181 hr 29 min

How Smell Could Transform Robotics: The Next Frontier in Sensing

Can robots smell? How could a sense of smell transform robotics and unlock entirely new applications? In this episode, I talk with Kordel France, Founder of Scentience.We talk about:- How a sense of smell works and how it can be replicated in robots- The challenges and breakthroughs in developing smell-based sensing technology- The potential for smell to enable new startups and applications in roboticsYou'll like this interview if you're interested in the future of robotics, sensing technologies, or how new innovations can create opportunities for startups.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/18-scentience/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- Scentience Website: https://scentience.ai/- Kordel France's X: https://x.com/kordelfrance- Kordel France's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kordel-france-10349811b/- Kordel France's Website: https://kordelfrance.ai/TIMECODES(0:00) Start(1:22) Kordel France & Scentience Overview(2:47) Smell’s Role in Robotics(5:24) Smell Sensor Problem Solving(8:52) Smell Identification Mechanisms(15:09) Use Cases(16:51) Near-Future Innovations(25:10) Application Development(29:48) Scent Technology Standardization(33:03) Scent Recognition Dataset(34:16) Industry vs. Academia(37:00) Startup Landscape in Smell Robotics(38:39) Smell Sensing API(42:51) Sensor Integration(50:00) Weather Data’s Impact on Smell Sensors(56:43) Scaling With User Data(1:02:11) Origins of Smell Technology Interest(1:11:31) Adoption Strategies(1:24:46) Future Predictions(1:26:50) Key Takeaways(1:29:05) Outro

January 21, 2025Episode 1751 min

Advancing Robot Hardware Innovation through ARIA's New UK Research Initiative

I talk with Jenny Read who is the Programme Director at ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency).We talk about:- ARIA's ambitious £50M investment in robotics hardware research- The need for fundamental breakthroughs in robot hardware and actuation- How neuroscience insights can inspire better robot design- Building a research community focused on hardware innovation- The unique funding approach that encourages high-risk, high-reward projectsYou'll like this interview if you're interested in robotics hardware development, research funding initiatives, or the future of robot actuation and control systems.TRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/17-aria/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- ARIA Website: https://www.aria.org.uk- ARIA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-research-and-invention-agency/- ARIA Twitter/X: https://x.com/ARIA_Research- Jenny Read's Website: https://www.jennyreadresearch.com/- Jenny Read's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-read-813a5ba/- Jenny Read's Twitter/X: https://x.com/jcareadTIMECODES(0:00) Start(0:15) Jenny Read & ARIA Overview(3:49) Jenny's ARIA Role(6:26) Robotics Focus(8:22) Hardware Focus Areas(9:40) Gear Ratio Discussion(11:56) Touch Sensing & Robot Fragility(13:41) Body Design & Neural Control(19:15) Career Background & Funding(22:33) Program Focus & Logistics(27:56) The Dexterity Challenge(33:31) ARIA Strategy(42:59) Development Bottlenecks(45:38) Measuring Success(48:33) Key Takeaways(51:52) Outro

January 7, 20251 hr 15 min

ROSCon 2024 Highlights: Conversations with Dexory, Asimovo, and ZettaScale

In this episode, I share several conversations from ROSCon 2024 in Denmark with leaders building the future of robotics.First, I talk with Marcus Scheunemann, Head of Autonomy at Dexory, about their rapid growth in warehouse robotics. Dexory has scaled from 0 to 90+ robots in just 2 years by focusing heavily on testing infrastructure and getting robots to customers quickly.Next, I speak with Christine Fraser, CEO and founder of Asimovo, about their developer platform that makes it easier for robotics teams to collaborate. Built on Kubernetes, their platform lets teams work together seamlessly whether developing locally or in the cloud.Finally, I chat with Angelo Corsaro, CEO and CTO of ZettaScale Technologies, about Zenoh - the future middleware for ROS 2. We discuss how Zenoh solves key limitations of DDS and enables true end-to-end communication from microcontrollers to the cloud.You'll like these interviews if you're interested in:- Scaling robotics companies and testing infrastructure- Developer tools for robotics teams- The future of ROS 2 middleware- Building successful robotics companiesTRANSCRIPT- https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/16-roscon/transcriptEPISODE LINKS- ROSCon 2024 site: https://roscon.ros.org/2024/- Dexory: https://www.dexory.com/ - Asimovo: https://asimovo.com/ - ZettaScale: https://www.zettascale.tech/TIMECODES(0:00) Start(2:12) Introduction to Dexory(3:26) How Dexory Landed Series B(7:12) The Problem and the Robot’s Solution(11:12) The Software Behind Dexory(14:03) Advocating for More Testing When Management Prioritizes New Features(17:20) Where Dexory Is Heading in the Next 2 to 5 Years(19:25) Introduction to Asimovo(21:20) Creating Solutions for Every Need(23:59) Supporting Diverse Workflows Across Platforms(29:42) How Clusters Run Across Platforms(34:11) Company Progress and Adoption(40:09) One Year Projections and Goals(43:09) Where To Learn More(44:37) Introduction to ZettaScale(49:56) How Distributed Queries Work(53:15) Breaking Down Routing and Synchronization(1:01:23) Solving DDS Challenges and ROS 2 Impact(1:05:34) The Story Behind the Company Name(1:07:56) Why ROS and How It’s Integrated(1:13:16) Future Plans for the Next 1 to 3 Years