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

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-06-19
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 15
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=13) Introduction: Russ Aldridge and the origin of Sisu
- [3:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=180) From National Instruments integrator to robotics specialists
- [11:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=699) The OmniSharp: Robot-assisted knife sharpening with force feedback
- [18:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=1083) Developing the Voodoo controller and pivot to robot cinematography
- [26:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=1568) Sisu's flat organizational structure and culture of recognition
- [30:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=1828) The Pipe Dream project: Building a real-life iMusic machine for Intel
- [35:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=2129) 16-day rush to build 100 ventilators for New York hospitals
- [44:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ#t=2659) Business challenges: Feeding the machine and strategic focus

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Sisu (company)
- National Instruments (company)
- OmniSharp (product)
- Voodoo (product)
- Intel Atom (chip)
- Pipe Dream (product)
- MIT (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Mass-Manufacturing a 5-in-1 Ventilator System for COVID-19 Relief](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-06-17-mass-manufacturing-a-5-in-1-ventilator-system-for-covid-19-relief) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Configuring the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-05-22-configuring-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Claus Risager on disinfection robots and growing Blue Ocean Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-07-16-claus-risager-on-disinfection-robots-and-growing-blue-ocean-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Live from the 2025 Robotics Summit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-05-05-live-from-the-2025-robotics-summit) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Learning about the Real-world Impact of Design, Manufacturing, Quality & Culture on Patients](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-03-24-learning-about-the-real-world-impact-of-design-manufacturing-quality-culture-on) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-19-s1e15-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real-problem-russ. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.