Robots & Startups

Robots & Startups explores the intersection of robotics, AI, and startup culture, emphasizing advancements, challenges, and the future potential of robotics. It covers technological trends, industry insights, notable figures, and events from Silicon Valley, highlighting the global impact and opportunities within the robotics sector.

Technology Trends Artificial Intelligence Startup Culture Industry Insights Robotic Advancements Investment and Funding Human-Robot Interaction Events and Conferences Ethics and Regulation Educational Resources

The hottest Substack posts of Robots & Startups

And their main takeaways
299 implied HN points 16 Jan 24
  1. There are numerous robotics, automation, and AI conferences available, with a mix of academic and industry events.
  2. Consider factors such as the conference's impact factor, size, specialization, attendees, and topics to decide which events are worth attending.
  3. The post provides shortlists of academic conferences and hints at upcoming coverage of tradeshows and industry events.
59 implied HN points 09 Jun 24
  1. Hello Robot has successfully grown their Stretch robot platform through bootstrapping, highlighting the benefits of incorporating customer feedback in design iterations.
  2. Hello Robot's Stretch robot has won the IEEE Award for Technology in the Service of Society, recognizing its potential to benefit humankind.
  3. The development of Stretch 3 by Hello Robot signifies a milestone in incorporating three years of customer feedback to create an improved robot for researchers, educators, and explorers.
139 implied HN points 24 Mar 24
  1. The future is predicted to be dominated by robotic technology, with everything that moves expected to be robotic.
  2. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang envisions the Omniverse as the future operating system and aims to make computers smarter for easier human interactions.
  3. The robotics industry is rapidly advancing, with developments in humanoid robots, AI, and innovative collaborations between humans and robots promising significant changes in various sectors like labor, healthcare, and space exploration.
99 implied HN points 08 Apr 24
  1. Robots utilizing AI can make a positive impact in the physical world by addressing real-world problems and global challenges.
  2. Unleashed AI can lead to misinformation and unreliable data, which poses a significant threat if not controlled.
  3. The proliferation of fake robot videos can create skepticism and hinder the credibility of real robotic advancements.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
179 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. Robotics can have 'dirty secrets' that are important to uncover and understand.
  2. The Astrobotic's Peregrine Lunar Lander incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges in space exploration.
  3. Subscribe to Robots & Startups for more insights and to access full post archives.
59 implied HN points 12 May 24
  1. The average technical recruiter is young, and studies suggest they may favor younger job candidates over older ones.
  2. ICRA 2024 in Yokohama is a large event with over 5000 roboticists and 120+ robotics companies showcasing quadruped and humanoid robots.
  3. Academic robotics conferences like ICRA feature a variety of activities beyond paper presentations, including robotics competitions, industry exhibitions, career fairs, debates, and more.
79 implied HN points 16 Apr 24
  1. Robotic standards are crucial for ensuring safety, with variations based on industrial and non-industrial settings.
  2. Exciting advancements in robotics technology are driving funding growth and opportunities for startups in the industry.
  3. Upcoming robotics events offer a diverse range of opportunities to witness cutting-edge technologies and engage with the robotics community.
39 implied HN points 10 Jun 24
  1. President Xi Jinping is actively engaged with humanoid robots, showcasing China's strong interest in this technology
  2. China's focus on humanoid robots is driving rapid technological advancements, with robot update cycles as short as three months
  3. The 2024 China Humanoid Robot Developers Conference highlighted the significant progress and investments in humanoid robotics in the country
119 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. The number of venture-backed U.S. startups has significantly increased over the years, with a particularly notable growth in robotics startups.
  2. Compared to all startups, robotics startups have seen a much larger growth percentage, showcasing the significant expansion of the robotics industry.
  3. OpenAI's achievement of reaching $2B in revenue marks it as the fastest growing startup ever, demonstrating the potential for success in the robotics field.
79 implied HN points 09 Mar 24
  1. AI learning starting with text may be going backwards for language development, particularly for speech and social interaction.
  2. Human-robot interactions often differ from our collective fantasies, with instances of people mistreating robots in public like playing 'kick the robot dog' or interfering with autonomous cars.
  3. Robots posing as scooters in public encounters negative behaviors due to lack of proper treatment and consideration towards the technology.
59 implied HN points 01 Apr 24
  1. Y Combinator, Alchemist, and Gitex are seeking robot startups for various programs and events.
  2. Startup accelerator programs like Alchemist Accelerator have specific criteria for founders and offer opportunities for nominations and fast-tracked interviews.
  3. There are numerous deadlines for startup calls in diverse fields like mobility, med devices, and deep tech, along with events like the Gitex Global in Dubai.
39 implied HN points 06 May 24
  1. The Climate Robotics Summit focused on building a community for sustainable applications of Climate Robotics.
  2. Robotic mentor programs are seeking experienced individuals to support startups and share knowledge.
  3. The Women in Robotics Scholarship, in memory of Joanne Pransky, is accepting applications for its second round of awards.
119 implied HN points 14 Dec 23
  1. Walking humanoid robots are being successfully deployed for commercial work by companies like Agility Robotics, Apptronik, PAL, and 1X.
  2. In 2024, we can expect a wider commercial release of walking humanoid robots from various companies including Agility, 1X, Apptronik, Fourier Intelligence, PAL, and Unitree.
  3. The field of humanoid robots is advancing quickly, with more applications and companies pushing towards practical implementations.
39 implied HN points 29 Apr 24
  1. There are more startups in the US than VCs can support, leading to increased competition for funding and a rise in startup failures.
  2. Investors are showing increased interest and making significant investments in robotics startups, especially those focused on AI and autonomy.
  3. Success rates for founders improve with past experience, highlighting the importance of learning from failure in the startup world.
139 implied HN points 11 Nov 23
  1. California is known as the robotics capital of the world.
  2. The USA has the most robotics companies in North America, with California having the highest number among the states.
  3. Data shows a higher number of robotics startups in Europe compared to Asia, with the UK leading over Germany, France, and Switzerland.
19 implied HN points 21 Jun 24
  1. There are significant differences between two startups in the humanoid robotics industry, especially in terms of founders' backgrounds and experiences.
  2. One startup is founded by someone deeply experienced in serious robotics and commercialization, potentially making them a strong contender in the humanoid robotics market.
  3. The other startup's founder lacks a robotics background but has experience in raising large funding rounds, and this startup has attracted some controversy.
79 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. Buyer's remorse is a significant issue in the robotics industry, causing regret among manufacturers for recent technology purchases.
  2. Numerous robotics companies are facing downsizing and financial challenges, indicating the industry's complexity and difficulty in achieving success.
  3. There are various advancements and developments in the robotics field, from autonomous boat technology to robots reaching the ISS, showcasing the diversity and innovation in the industry.
39 implied HN points 21 Apr 24
  1. Boston Dynamics introduced a new electric Atlas, showing advancements in humanoid robotics.
  2. The AI Index from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence reveals key trends in AI development, funding, and regulations.
  3. Putting fur on robots, as Sega Toys learned, can lead to issues like burning smells and recalls.
179 implied HN points 09 May 23
  1. The post discusses the 5 Laws of Robotics and suggests 5 achievable actions before a panel on community acceptance.
  2. The author, Andra Keay, is sharing insights on robotics and technology, highlighting industry leaders and discussions.
  3. Readers can access the full post and archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Robots & Startups.
139 implied HN points 30 Sep 23
  1. International Women in Robotics Day is celebrated on October 4th and the entire month of October.
  2. The Women in Robotics organization publishes an annual collection of '50 women in robotics you need to know about.'
  3. Celebration events for International Women in Robotics Day are happening across the USA and the launch of new Women in Robotics chapters is taking place.
99 implied HN points 04 Dec 23
  1. Robotics companies are choosing to set up manufacturing in the US to take advantage of the favorable environment and support, with Agility Robotics being a notable example.
  2. The EV industry is providing a significant boost to the development and growth of robotics companies focusing on automation and humanoids.
  3. The trend towards automating food production, as seen with Uber's Travis Kalanick, indicates a growing interest in leveraging technology to revolutionize traditional industries.
19 implied HN points 02 Jun 24
  1. The beauty and wellness robotics industry is growing, with Berry Bot being a soap making robot that showcases the potential for automation in the sector.
  2. The global personal care and beauty market is significantly larger than the industrial robot market, providing ample opportunity for innovation and growth.
  3. Berry Bot, a smart system for making natural soaps, highlights the importance of scalability and automation in the production process for success in the industry.
19 implied HN points 29 May 24
  1. The development of robotics is paralleling the early days of commercial automobile rollout, showing similarities in market growth
  2. Current robotics growth is hindered by resource capacity, but this constraint is expected to ease leading to rapid company expansions, notably in humanoid robotics
  3. The field of robotics is seeing advancements in AI learning, which raises questions about its impact on robotics and how different communities can leverage these technologies
79 implied HN points 16 Dec 23
  1. Humanoid robots are becoming more affordable as the cost of their components decreases.
  2. At the IEEE Humanoids event in Austin, Texas, many robotics companies discussed plans to make their robots commercially available in 2024.
  3. The weight of humanoid robots is decreasing, which could impact their sales price in the future.
59 implied HN points 29 Jan 24
  1. Kickoff meeting for the SVR Startup Accelerator is happening on January 30th for robotics startups at any stage.
  2. Private equity investors like Resurge Growth Partners are offering struggling startups a second chance amid a drop-off in VC funding.
  3. Luxonis has introduced the OAK-Thermal for pre-order, expanding its platform with a thermal sensor for numerous potential applications.
39 implied HN points 16 Mar 24
  1. 2024 is set to see the commercial release of several new humanoid robots, advancing capabilities in manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
  2. Benchmarking for humanoid robots is crucial for determining their success - factors like endurance and dexterity are key, surpassing simple speed comparisons.
  3. Industry leaders stress the importance of establishing common benchmarks in the field to support the emerging market and drive innovation.
99 implied HN points 15 Jul 23
  1. Robotics companies have an abundance of opportunities available despite challenges like funding.
  2. Talented and experienced individuals in the robotics field are seeking new opportunities, especially in robotics companies.
  3. Silicon Valley Robotics member companies have access to information and resources related to robotics opportunities.
39 implied HN points 25 Feb 24
  1. The global robotics and AI landscape is rapidly evolving with companies like NVIDIA, BYD, Figure, OpenAI, and others making significant advancements.
  2. BYD's disruptive entry in the electric vehicle market is causing concern among legacy automakers due to their low production costs and competitive pricing.
  3. Groq and Google are making waves in the AI sector with Groq showcasing impressive speed on their inference API and Google introducing a new family of open-source AI models.
39 implied HN points 18 Feb 24
  1. Consumer mistrust and potential legal issues may arise with AI in robotics, similar to the Air Canada chatbot case
  2. OpenAI's recent deal values the company at over $80 billion, tripling its worth and positioning it as one of the most valuable tech startups globally
  3. Stretch 3 by Hello Robot is a new home robot designed to assist with tasks like folding laundry, showcasing advancements in AI
119 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. The Hype Cycle is a visual representation of the stages a technology passes through, from initial development to widespread adoption. It helps track which technologies align with an organization's requirements.
  2. There are five stages in the Hype Cycle that technologies undergo as they evolve and mature.
  3. Subscribing to Robots & Startups offers a 7-day free trial to access more content and stay updated on the latest in the robotics industry.
79 implied HN points 04 Jun 23
  1. At ICRA 2023, there were 127 industry exhibitors, marking the largest industry presence yet.
  2. The IERA Award had four finalists presenting their work to industry judges during the event.
  3. The post focused on various robot exhibitors at ICRA, especially humanoids, along with details about the IERA Award and Industry events.