Audrow Nash Podcast

Dive into the world of American manufacturing with Saman Farid, founder and CEO of Formic. Discover how robots are transforming US factories by dramatically improving utilization - from 30% to nearly 100% - while helping solve the labor shortage crisis.

This episode reveals how Formic is making robotics accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturers through their innovative "robots-as-a-service" model. Learn why 90% of American factories still don't have a single robot, and how Formic's approach could change that.

Perfect for manufacturing professionals, robotics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of American industry.

Links:
- Formic Website: https://formic.co/
- Saman Farid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanfarid/
- Formic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formic-technologies/
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/

Timestamps:
- (0:00) - Episode Intro
- (0:53) - Introduction to Saman Farid and Formic
- (1:39) - Formic's Mission and Impact
- (4:01) - Challenges in Robotics Deployment
- (9:46) - Case Studies and Real-World Applications
- (14:30) - Advanced Technologies and Automation
- (28:35) - How Formic Collects Site Data
- (35:08) - Configuring a Workcell with Data Gathered
- (40:30) - Programming the Robot with Generative AI
- (50:09) - AI in the Loop: Revolutionizing Robotics Simulation
- (52:54) - Exploring the Software Stack
- (54:30) - From Simulation to Reality
- (59:07) - LLMs for Data Ingestion
- (1:03:43) - Customer Support and Maintenance
- (1:12:26) - Scaling and Future Challenges
- (1:19:38) - Working with Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers
- (1:28:04) - What are Most Robotics Companies Doing Wrong?
- (1:31:04) - Thoughts on the US Manufacturing Sector

Discover the future of urban delivery with Canon Reeves, CTO and Co-founder of Pipedream Labs. In this episode, we explore how a network of thin underground pipes and autonomous robots could revolutionize last-mile logistics. If you're fascinated by innovative urban infrastructure, robotics, or the future of delivery systems, this conversation is for you.

Learn how Pipedream Labs is scaling their technology from drive-thru restaurants to city-wide networks, and hear about their unique approach to modular design and customer-driven development. Canon shares insights on building high-impact teams, leveraging global talent, and the technical challenges of creating a groundbreaking delivery system.

Links:
- Pipedream Labs Website: https://www.pipedreamlabs.co/
- Canon Reeves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/canonreeves/
- Pipedream Labs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pipedream-labs/
- Pipedream Labs on X: https://x.com/pipedream_labs
- Canon Reeves on X: https://x.com/ReevesCanon
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/

Timestamps:
- (0:00) - Start
- (0:37) - Introduction to Canon Reeves and Pipedream Labs
- (1:05) - The Vision for Autonomous Delivery
- (1:49) - How Thin Pipes Work
- (3:17) - Challenges and Solutions in Last Mile Delivery
- (6:58) - Innovative Instant Pickup System
- (12:26) - Scaling the Network and Future Plans
- (20:15) - Technical Challenges and Solutions
- (48:22) - Modular Design and Scalability
- (50:14) - Customer-Driven Development
- (52:39) - Small Teams, Big Impact
- (54:45) - Hiring the Right People
- (56:43) - Remote Work and Contractors
- (1:00:43) - Future-Proofing with Modular Systems
- (1:07:17) - Exciting Growth and Challenges Ahead
- (1:28:00) - Advice for Founders

Dive into the fascinating world of robotics insurance with Sergey Litvinenko, co-founder and CEO of Koop AI. Discover how data-driven insurance is revolutionizing the robotics industry, making robots safer and more affordable. This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, robotics professionals, and anyone curious about the future of AI and automation.

Links:
- Koop AI Website: https://www.koop.ai/
- Sergey Litvinenko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergey-from-koop
- Koop AI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/koop-ai
- Audrow Nash Podcast: https://www.audrownashpodcast.com/
- Transcript: https://audrownashpodcast.com/posts/11-koop

Outline:
- (0:00) - Start
- (1:46) - Introduction and Background
- (2:37) - Understanding Insurance and Underwriting
- (4:07) - Koop's Focus on Robotics
- (6:41) - The Journey to Koop Insurance
- (11:38) - Risk Assessment and Data Collection
- (18:00) - Challenges in New Robotics Domains
- (32:56) - Training and Methodology for Underwriters
- (47:12) - Insurance Validity and Performance Guarantees
- (48:34) - Handling Erroneous Data and Misrepresentation
- (50:44) - Human vs. Robot Behavior in Insurance
- (52:20) - Robotics Insurance Metrics and Losses
- (54:26) - Evaluating AI and Edge Cases in Robotics
- (1:04:22) - Data Collection and Utilization in Robotics
- (1:29:41) - Future Vision and Expansion of Koop