RobotBuildersClub.org
RobotBuildersClub.org is a podcast, knowledge base, and community aimed at founders, engineers, and operators who build real robots in the real world. Each episode features candid conversations with people turning ideas into machines, covering the full journey from early prototypes and architecture decisions to manufacturing, scaling, and deployment. The show digs into what actually breaks, what teams get wrong, and the hard-earned lessons that never show up in pitch decks. It is aimed at anyone building hardware at the intersection of robotics, AI, and manufacturing, or thinking about making the leap into that field.
Episodes
From Robot Idea to Funded Company
The conversation features Ali Afzal interviewing Oliver Mitchell, a seasoned investor and robotics expert, discussing his journey from being a founder to an investor in the robotics space. They explore the challenges and strategies for startups in robotics, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and the pitfalls of pilot programs. The conversation delves into the challenges and
Why Physical AI Safety Is Harder Than AI Safety
In this RobotBuildersClub.org podcast episode, Ali Afzal explores with Akshay Chalana, founder of Saphira AI, the critical aspects of safety and compliance in the field of robotics and autonomous systems. It explores the role of standards, certification, and the development of safety reasoning frameworks. The discussion provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in this domai
The Physical AI Stack: Where Founders Should Build
Physical AI is not won by hype, it is won by the companies that understand where the real value sits. In this this episode of robotbuildersclub.org, Ali Afzal hosts Bibhrajit Halder, Founder of SafeAI, and breaks down why the biggest opportunities in robotics are not just in the robot itself, but across manufacturing, raw materials, models, infrastructure, workflow, distribution, and service.Ali A
Robotics Needs a Sense of Touch
RobotBuildersClub.orgIn this episode, our host Ali Afzal, explores with Colin Gallacher, the cofounder of Haply Robotics (www.haply.co), the evolution of haptics, the philosophy of warmth and human touch, the impact of haptic devices on robotics and 3D design, training physical AI with haptic devices, and the long-term vision for haptic devices for consumer applications. The conversation covers a
Human Side of Robotics
In this episode, our host Ali Afzal, explores with Lindsay Ouellette, the crucial human factors influencing robotics adoption, public perception, and social impact. Lindsay, a researcher blending psychology and robotics, shares her unique perspective on how societal narratives, psychological biases, and cultural differences shape our interaction with robots.Key Topics:The gap between robotic portr
What Robotics Hiring Trends Reveal About the Future?
In this RobotBuildersClub.org podcast episode, Greg Toroosian, CEO of Samson Rose discusses with our Host, Ali Afzal, what the hiring trends reveal about the evolving state of robotics, and offers practical advice for aspiring roboticists and startup founders. Keywordsrobotics, talent acquisition, startup hiring, automation, AI, hardware, industry trends, networking, career adviceKey topicsRobotic
Deploying Robots Successfully
Today on RobotBuildersClub.org Podcast discover how robotic companies are managing deployment success and operational excellence across industries. Richard Petrazzini, CEO of Robotic Crew, shares insights on supporting robotic fleets at scale, industry trends, and the tech evolution from task-specific robots to humanoids.In this episode:The critical shift from robot deployment to operational relia
Queen of PCB Shares Robot Building Insights
In this episode of RobotBuildersClub.org Podcast, Ali Afzal explores the intricate world of PCB design and manufacturing through the lens of the Queen of PCB Manufacturing - Jennie Nguyen, CEO of PCB Tech. Jennie shares her insights on supply chains, regulatory standards, offshore vs. domestic manufacturing, and how robotics startups can navigate this complex ecosystem effectively.Key Topics:The s
Apple to Uber: Inside a Robotics Founder’s Exit Journey
Bibhrajit Halder, CEO of SafeAI delves into the journey of scaling the autonomous mining robotics company Safe AI, the challenges of organizational growth, the deployment and sales cycle, the mindset and thought process of fundraising, the importance of storytelling for investors, and the exit story of SafeAI to Pronto and eventually to Uber.Ali unpacks Bibhrajit's decision to exit, the acquisitio
Physical AI Meets Fulfillment: The Infrastructure Behind Instant Commerce
In this episode of RobotBuildersClub.org, Yegor Anchyshkin, CEO of Instock.com reveals how their robotic system is revolutionizing fulfillment and logistics. Discover how automation is becoming accessible, scalable, and cost-effective for micro-fulfillment centers near consumers.Key insights include:The vision of democratizing warehouse automation through compact, vertical systems that utilize lig
Making Robots Safe For Humanity
This RobotBuildersClub.org episode explores the critical role of safety in robotics, emphasizing how engineering decisions and market pressures shape outcomes. Amir Sharif, COO of 3Laws, shares his insights on developing universal safety layers, the myths around humanoid robots, and how safety can become a driver of performance and trust, not just a regulatory afterthought. If you're involved in r
Ceiling Robotics Revolution: Future of Space Utilization
In ep 7, we explore how ceiling-based robotic systems are poised to transform storage, logistics, and automation in residential, commercial and industrial spaces. Ken Miller, CEO of Stakabl.com shares his journey from complex system design to pioneering a robotics platform for micro fulfillment and beyond that leverages underutilized overhead space, promising a smarter, more efficient logistics an
Human-Centric Interfaces: Key To Scaling Robots
In this episode, Shak, CEO of Hello Robo (www.hellorobo.co), shares insights on designing intuitive interfaces for robotics, emphasizing the importance of trust, safety, and understanding human behavior. Discover how UX principles translate to robotics and why focusing on user experience can accelerate adoption and improve deployment outcomes. In this episode:Shak's journey from design to robotics
The Future of Robotics: Success Depends on How Well We Maintain
In this episode, Victor from Waku Robotics shares a comprehensive view on how maintenance often overlooked is critical to robotics success.We explore the current industry gaps, the parallels with human health, and how a focus on maintenance can extend robot longevity, reduce costs, and accelerate adoption. Whether you're a founder, operator, or investor, these insights clarify why maintenance is t
The Evolution of Fleet Management in Robotics
In this conversation, Aldus von der Burg, CEO of Meili Robots shares insights from his journey in robotics, transitioning from a drone company to fleet management software. He discusses the challenges of regulations, the importance of integrating robots with human operators, and the various applications of robotics in industries like healthcare and retail. Aldus emphasizes the need for education i
From Disney to Drones: Building a Multimodal Robotics Platform
Is it a drone… or is it a vehicle?In this 3rd episode of RobotBuildersClub.org, Alvaro, founder of Mercurius, explains why multimodal robots are the next leap in autonomy — and what most robotics teams get wrong.
Teaching Robots Our Language: The Future of Human–Robot Collaboration
We’ve spent decades teaching humans how to program robots.What if that’s the wrong approach?In episode 2 of Robot Builders Club, Ali Afzal sits down with Lone Bekkeheien, founder of Marsilia Robotics, who’s building a new abstraction layer for robotics: one where humans talk to robots the same way we talk to other people.Lone breaks down why today’s “collaborative” robots still aren’t truly collab
From Software to Steel: How One Founder Is Teaching Robots to Tile Floors
What building a construction robot reveals about the future of work, hardware startups, and founder mindsetIn this first-ever RobotBuildersClub.org conversation, Shamoon Siddiqui discusses his journey from software engineering to founding Human Friendly Robotics, focusing on the development of Tyler, a tiling robot. He shares insights on the challenges of robotics, the importance of customer feedb
