S1E15 Robot Cinematography, 16-day Ventilators, & Identifying the REAL problem | Russ Aldridge

Being an Engineer · 19 Jun 2020 · 48m · Episode 15

What this episode covers

Russ Aldridge, CEO and co-founder of Sisu (with co-founder Marc Christenson), explains how the company evolved from a National Instruments integrator to a designer of sophisticated robotic applications, including a robot cinematography system and a rapid-response ventilator. Aldridge details the development of the OmniSharp knife-sharpening robot, which uses 3D modeling and force-torque sensing to handle variable blade geometries, and the creation of an intuitive controller interface that enabled the pivot to film production. He also recounts the 16-day effort to design and build 100 functional ventilators for New York hospitals during the early COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing the use of industrial-grade components and adaptive software to ensure patient safety and durability.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 33m

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    Dan Purvis, CEO and co-founder of Valentium, discusses Project V, a collaborative effort with Ventec Life Systems and General Motors to mass-produce ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purvis details the rapid scaling of Ventec’s VOCSN device into the simpler V+Pro ventilator, the logistical challenges of sourcing parts and building 141 test stands in weeks, and the critical importance of maintaining quality and traceability under extreme pressure. He highlights the role of executive support, the agility of partners like UPS, and the emotional resilience required to lead such a high-stakes humanitarian effort.

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 08m

    Configuring the future of robotics

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  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 17m

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    Claus Risager, CEO and co-founder of Blue Ocean Robotics, explains how the Danish company pivoted from reselling third-party robots to developing its own autonomous mobile robot platform, leveraging shared components across subsidiaries like UVD Robots, Gobi Robots, and PTR Robots. He details the rapid scaling of UVD Robots' disinfection systems during the pandemic, highlighting the critical role of modular design and software in overcoming supply chain shortages and ensuring safety. Risager also argues for the value of Gobi Robots' telepresence systems in hybrid work environments, emphasizing their utility in manufacturing inspections and social inclusion for elderly care, while noting the company's strategy to reuse navigation and safety tech for future product launches.

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 37m

    Live from the 2025 Robotics Summit

    Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman recap the 2025 Robotics Summit, highlighting record attendance and the supportive robotics community. Mike Oitzman interviews Amos Miller of Glidance, who discusses his personal robot's transition from pre-orders to an alpha 2 prototype with semantic segmentation software. The episode also features Samantha Johnson of Tatum Robotics, who announces the July production launch of her device for deaf-blind users, and Aaaron Prather from ASTM on new humanoid safety standards.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 37m

    Learning about the Real-world Impact of Design, Manufacturing, Quality & Culture on Patients

    Dan Purvis, CEO of Velentium, provides an update on Project V, the emergency collaboration with Ventec Life Systems, General Motors, and the U.S. government to build 30,000 ventilators in six to eight weeks. He discusses the critical intersection of design, manufacturing, and quality culture, emphasizing four variants of design: for manufacturability, test, longevity, and quality. Purvis also details Velentium's approach to embedded medical cybersecurity, including their book and certification courses, and shares insights on maintaining a quality-focused culture through training, storytelling, and fostering 'flow' states in a distributed workforce.

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