Manufacturing Happy Hour · 22 Jul 2025 · 1h 05m
Serial entrepreneur Mark DeSantis, who recently sold Bloomfield Robotics to Kubota Corporation, explains his philosophy of focusing on 'big and boring' problems rather than chasing technology trends. He details how Bloomfield used plant-level imaging and deep learning to solve agricultural inspection issues, a process that required understanding the specific operational realities of farmers rather than just pitching a solution. DeSantis also draws parallels between the current state of robotics and the pre-Ford auto industry, arguing that commercial viability depends on manufacturing scalability rather than just technical innovation. Finally, he discusses how Pittsburgh’s unique ecosystem, anchored by Carnegie Mellon University, has fostered a thriving robotics community by leveraging local strengths instead of trying to mimic Silicon Valley.
Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.
Engineering & simulation
The company used deep learning models to analyze plant-level imaging data from their robotic systems to assess the health and performance of crops in the field.
“They use plant level imaging, and deep learning to assess the health and performance of the crops. And that was recently sold to Kubota, a tractor manufacturer.”
Speaker 3 · Hear it at 0:43
Engineering & simulation
The team applied machine learning algorithms to the complex problem of pricing electricity in US markets, which served as a foundational application before moving to robotics.
“So we applied our machine learning to this boring problem that's a backwater, that people think of utilities, and it worked.”
Speaker 1 · Hear it at 20:42
early-stage companies
Other shows on the same ground, closest first.
Dr. Kevin Dowling, Managing Director of the Robotics Factory in Pittsburgh, explains how his organization builds robot companies through its Create, Accelerate, and Scale programs, supporting startups like Aquitonomy and Journey Robotics. The discussion highlights Pittsburgh's unique robotics ecosystem, driven by Carnegie Mellon University and the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, and contrasts it with other hubs. Dowling also addresses the challenges hardware startups face in securing investment, the importance of IP strategy, and the current state of humanoid robotics and collaborative robots.
Ajay Agarwal, partner at Bain Capital Ventures, discusses his investment philosophy and early backing of Kiva Systems, emphasizing the importance of 'systems thinking' and integrated solutions over isolated hardware innovation. He highlights the critical gap between 'demo-ability' and 'deployability' in robotics, using Kiva's early deployment struggles as a key example of why field testing is essential. The episode also covers the RBR 50 Robotics Innovation Awards, featuring winners like Amazon's Vulcan robot, Physical Intelligence, and Hello Robot's Stretch 4, while noting the launch of Automated Tire's autonomous tire-changing system.
Divya Thakur, founder of Yardbot, explains how he pivoted from a failed Bitcoin startup and a career at Cruise (General Motors) to building a hybrid landscaping business in Huntsville, Alabama. He details the five generations of robot iterations, highlighting mechanical failures in drivetrains and decks, and the strategic decision to combine human crews with autonomous mowing robots rather than pursuing full automation. Thakur also discusses using LLMs for training blue-collar workers and computer vision for obstacle detection, while outlining plans to expand the model to other Sun Belt cities.
Andra Keay, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics, explains the transition from industrial 'Robotics 1.0' to consumer-focused 'Robotics 2.0,' highlighting how affordable sensors and real-time processing enable products like robot vacuums to navigate environments. She outlines the 'three stools' of commercialization—funding, product-market fit, and manufacturing—warning founders against giving up excessive equity to accelerators and urging them to validate demand before scaling. Keay emphasizes that successful robotics startups must navigate the difficult transition from prototype to volume production, often requiring a complete redesign from accessible dev boards like Arduino to cost-effective custom PCBs.
Teddy Haggerty, founder and CEO of RoboStore and Robo Inc., explains his strategy of selling 'picks and shovels' in the robotics boom by focusing on distribution, education, and integration rather than building general-purpose humanoids. He details how RoboStore became the North American distributor for Unitree robots, leveraging his background in drones and crypto to build a curriculum-based sales model. Haggerty then describes the pivot to Robo Inc., where his company localizes solutions by integrating third-party hardware and software stacks to address specific use cases in healthcare, security, education, and small business, effectively acting as a systems integrator and robotic service provider.
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