# Spencer Krause: Why Hardware  is the New Engineering Frontier

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-16
- Length: 1h 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier

## Summary

Spencer Krause, CEO and co-founder of SKA Robotics and Tension Dynamics, discusses the critical role of hardware in the post-AI robotics era, arguing that robust actuation and mechanical design are bottlenecks for embodied AI. He details SKA's 'mercenary' engineering model, which leverages elite talent to solve complex field robotics problems for clients like Siemens Energy and Sarkos, while highlighting specific technical challenges such as condensation-induced short circuits in ruggedized environments. Krause also introduces Tension Dynamics' novel linear actuator, which uses Vectran fiber in a capstan drive to achieve high efficiency and compressed ratios, positioning it for motion simulation and flight training applications.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=9) Introduction and Industry News
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=1530) SKA Robotics Business Model and Projects
- [30:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=1812) Field Robotics Challenges and Failures
- [35:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=2138) Tension Dynamics Actuator Technology
- [44:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=2692) Hardware vs. AI and Humanoid Robotics
- [49:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=2963) War Stories and Lessons Learned
- [56:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=3408) Pittsburgh Robotics Cluster and Defense
- [1:03:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier#t=3795) Agriculture, Oil & Gas, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- SKA Robotics (company)
- Tension Dynamics (company)
- Siemens Energy (company)
- Sarkos (company)
- Vectran (material)
- Tronics 3D (company)
- Unitree (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Engine AI (company)
- Carnegie Mellon University (company)
- DARPA (company)
- Honda (company)
- NASA (company)
- KEF Robotics (company)
- Hellbender (company)
- Neurotechnology (company)
- Trimble (company)
- Sunday Robotics (company)
- Project Aloha (product)
- TD 45 (product)
- Pulsar (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Leadership Perspectives on Robotics, Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-09-leadership-perspectives-on-robotics-highlights-from-automate-live-in-detroit-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [534: I Think We'll Add a Head](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-09-17-534-i-think-well-add-a-head) (Embedded.fm)
- [Digital Twins and IoT for Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2022-06-09-digital-twins-and-iot-for-robotics) (Over the Air)
- [Electronica 24: The Rise of AI-Powered Robotics at Fideltronik and Beyond](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-12-09-electronica-24-the-rise-of-ai-powered-robotics-at-fideltronik-and-beyond) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Episode 160: Robotic blacksmiths - Edward Mehr](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-12-episode-160-robotic-blacksmiths-edward-mehr) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-16-spencer-krause-why-hardware-is-the-new-engineering-frontier. 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 The Robot Report Podcast.