# S6E14 Russ Aldridge | Robot Cinematography, 16-day Ventilators, & Identifying the REAL problem

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-04-04
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 14
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real

## Summary

Russ Aldridge, CEO and co-founder of Sisu (with co-founder Marc Christenson), details the company's evolution from a garage startup to a specialized robotics integrator. He highlights key projects including the OmniSharp knife-sharpening robot, which uses 3D modeling and force-torque sensing, and a custom cinematography robot arm controlled via an intuitive hand-held interface. Aldridge also recounts the rapid development of 100 emergency ventilators in 16 days during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the team's parallel engineering approach and use of industrial-grade components.

## Chapters

- [0:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=13) Introduction: Russ Aldridge and the Origin of Sisu
- [1:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=116) Founding Sisu and the Gap in Systems Integration
- [5:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=300) Early Engineering Influences and Hiring Philosophy
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=660) The OmniSharp Knife-Sharpening Robot
- [17:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=1045) Cinematography Robot Arm and Control Interface
- [26:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=1599) Sisu's Flat Organizational Structure and Culture
- [30:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=1858) The Intel Pipe Dream Project
- [36:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-04-04-s6e14-russ-aldridge-robot-cinematography-16-day-ventilators-identifying-the-real#t=2200) Rapid Development of 100 Emergency Ventilators

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Sisu (company)
- National Instruments (company)
- OmniSharp (product)
- Kuka (other)
- Intel (company)
- MIT (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [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)
- [Kodiak Robotics & autonomous trucks, Anthony Levandowski going to jail](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-08-05-kodiak-robotics-autonomous-trucks-anthony-levandowski-going-to-jail) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Perspectives on Automation, AI, & the Future w/ Andy Lonsberry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-06-08-perspectives-on-automation-ai-the-future-w-andy-lonsberry) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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