TechFirst with John Koetsier John Koetsier

Where does Boston Dynamics fit in the emerging golden age of robots?



In a lot of ways we're entering a golden age of robots. We're seeing prototype humanoid robots from Apptronik, Amazon, Sanctuary AI, Figure.ai, Tesla, Fourier Intelligence, and probably more. And of course Boston Dynamics is the OG of humanoid bipedal robots with Atlas.



But there are a lot of form factors out there. And none of them is perfect for everything.



In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier dives into the current state and future of robotics with experts from Boston Dynamics. With insights from Alex Perkins, Mike Murphy, and Marco da Silva, the discussion explores whether we are on the cusp of a golden age in robotics.



The conversation covers various form factors, including the bipedal Atlas, quadruped Spot, and the wheeled Stretch, highlighting their unique capabilities and applications. The episode also delves into the complexities of robotic design, from gripping mechanisms to AI in training and sensing, and speculates about the future of humanoid robots and their potential societal impacts. Tune in to get an in-depth look at the cutting-edge advancements and real-world deployments that are shaping the future of robotics.



00:00 Introduction to the Golden Age of Robotics

01:13 Meet the Experts at Boston Dynamics

01:45 Are We in the Golden Age of Robotics?

03:17 Exploring Robot Form Factors

04:47 The Evolution of Stretch

08:12 Quadrupeds vs. Bipeds

15:59 The Complexity of Robotic Gripping

21:19 Training and AI in Robotics

25:50 The Future of Humanoid Robots

27:46 Robotics in Addressing Global Challenges

30:54 What's Next for Boston Dynamics?

The world's tallest autonomous robot can scan a million square feet of warehouse and 100,000 pallets in a day.

In this episode of TechFirst, we chat about AI and robotics with Andrei Danescu, the CEO of Dexory.

Dexory's autonomous robot can scan a million of square feet daily, creating a digital twin of entire warehouses and significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.

00:00 AI and Robotics in Logistics
00:45 Warehouse Challenges
01:27 Dexory's Technology
02:26 World's Tallest Autonomous Robot
04:06 Technical Deep Dive: Robot Design and Functionality
07:04 Operational Efficiency and AI Integration
12:13 Subscription Model and ROI
23:21 Future of Autonomous Systems
24:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What is it like to go to space?

Today we have a special privilege: we’re talking to an astronaut who has spent 136 days in the International Space Station and completed 2 space walks.

He’s also the mission director for the recent Intuitive Machines lunar lander, the first US mission to the moon in more than 50 years.

His name is Jack Fischer

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier interviews astronaut Jack Fisher, who spent 136 days on the International Space Station (ISS). Fisher describes the awe-inspiring experience of space travel, emphasizing the different perspective gained from 250 miles up.

He humorously recounts adapting to zero gravity and the physical relief it provided for his neck and back. The conversation covers Fisher's role as mission director for the Intuitive Machines lunar lander and space missions' significance.

They delve into the technological and cooperative efforts required for future Mars missions, including efficient propulsion and collaboration across industries. Fisher keeps the discussion engaging with anecdotes and enthusiasm for space exploration, highlighting recent advancements and the potential for a lunar economy.

00:00 Liftoff: Journey to Space
01:22 Experiencing Zero Gravity
04:48 Adapting to Space Life
10:57 Mission to the Moon: Intuitive Machines
22:25 Future of Space Exploration
29:48 Making Humanity Multi-Planetary
36:31 Space Movies and Fun

Have we already achieved AGI?

OpenAI just released GPT-4o. It’s impressive, and the implications are huge for so many different professions ... not least of which is education and tutoring.

It’s also showing us the beginning of AI that is truly present in our lives ... AI that sees what we see, doesn’t exist just in a box with text input, hears what we hear, and hallucinates less.

What does that — and other recent advancements in AI — mean for AGI?

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier discusses the implications of OpenAI's GPT-4 release and explores the current state and future of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with Roman Yampolskiy, a PhD research scientist and associate professor.

They delve into the rapid advancements in AI, the concept of AGI, potential impacts on different professions, the cultural and existential risks, and the challenges of safety and alignment with AGI. The conversation also covers the societal changes needed to adapt to a future where mental and physical labor could be fully automated.

00:00 Exploring the Boundaries of AI's Capabilities
01:36 The Evolution and Impact of AI on Human Intelligence
03:39 The Rapid Advancements in AI and the Path to AGI
06:38 The Societal Implications of Advanced AI and AGI
09:27 Navigating the Future of Work and AI's Role
14:52 The Ethical Dilemmas of Developing Superintelligent AI
19:22 Looking Ahead: The Unpredictable Future of AI

If our planet turns to Dune, how will you survive?



We're already experiencing water crises in thousands of global cities, places like Flint Michigan, or even native reserves in Canada.



How can you ensure you'll get good, healthy, clean drinking water?



In this episode of TechFirst, we explore the critical global challenge of securing clean water, a resource essential yet scarce for over 2 billion people worldwide.



With a focus on innovative solutions, John Koetsier interviews Brian Sheng, CEO and co-founder of Aquaria, a company at the forefront of developing atmospheric water generators capable of extracting clean water from the air, ranging from 24 to 2,600 gallons daily. Sheng discusses the technology's workings, its potential to address water scarcity effectively, especially in areas with limited access to clean water, and the company's vision for scaling up to support communities and potentially entire cities with sustainable, clean water obtained directly from the atmosphere.



00:00 Atmospheric Water Generator

01:19 The Global Water Crisis: Challenges and Solutions

05:13 How Atmospheric Water Generators Work: Technology Explained

11:00 The Future of Water: Scaling Up and Making it Affordable

12:48 Comparing Water Solutions: Desalination and Atmospheric Water Generators

21:45 The Vision for a Sustainable Water Future

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier explores the future of robotics and agricultural technology (agtech) with Kevin Dowling, managing director at Robotics Factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

They discuss the evolution of robotics in farming, from traditional methods to the modern use of drones, autonomous tractors, and AI-driven systems.

Kevin highlights the diversity of robotic forms in agriculture, including wheeled, legged, flying, and swimming robots, and the role of morphology in determining the best tool for various farming tasks. The conversation covers the current trends in robotic investments, the potential of humanoid robots in agriculture, and the economic challenges faced by hardware startups in AgTech.

Kevin predicts a shift towards smaller, more affordable robots for smaller farms and emphasizes the importance of technology in reducing environmental impacts, enhancing food production efficiency, and potentially democratizing farming.
The episode also touches upon innovative startups in Pittsburgh, the challenges of introducing robotics into unpredictable farm environments, and the vision for future farming landscapes transformed by robotics and autonomous machinery.

00:00 Exploring the Future of Robotics and Ag Tech
00:46 The Evolution and Future of Robotics in Agriculture
03:39 The Role of Humanoid Robots in Farming
07:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Ag Tech Startups
10:05 Innovative Startups Shaping the Future of Agriculture
12:49 The Complex Environment of Farm Robotics
15:30 The Potential of Indoor and Vertical Farming
23:30 Envisioning the Future of Farming with Robotics