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The Techne Connect
Anshuman Kumar, Head of Hardware at Matic Robots
In this episode of The Techne Connect, Anshuman Kumar, Head of Hardware at Matic Robots, unpacks how consumer robotics is moving from flashy demos to real, in-home utility. He shares how Matic built a genuinely effective floor-cleaning robot, picking up dirty water rather than spreading it, while driving down noise and filing multiple patents across mechanics, electronics and perception.
He traces his path from IIT Delhi and Carnegie Mellon to Tesla’s power electronics team, where he helped take Model 3 inverters from yield pain to stable production. Along the way, he explains why reliability engineering is the unsung hero, why integration is a team sport, and why “build painkillers, not vitamins” should guide every product decision. He argues that breakthroughs in AI and compute are finally removing software bottlenecks, opening the door for robots that deliver full solutions to real problems.
Anshuman also talks candidly about scaling from lab to factory, supplier calls across time zones, recruiting for growth, and designing the machine that makes the machines. For students and engineers, he shares career advice on failing fast, hiring for attitude, and the overlooked opportunities in motors, actuators and reliability.
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Enrique Oti, CSO at Second Front Systems
42:12|In this episode we speak with Enrique Oti, Chief Strategy Officer at Second Front Systems, about his journey from the US Air Force into defence technology.Enrique shares his experience as a cyber warfare officer, China Foreign Area Officer, and founder of Kessel Run, before moving into industry to help modern software reach the warfighter faster.The conversation explores the challenge of bringing commercial technology into defence environments, why compliance and security need to move beyond manual processes, and how Second Front Systems is enabling faster, more secure deployment into government infrastructure.
Kateryna Portmann, Women in Robotics, Co-Lead
22:30|In this episode of Behind the Influence, we speak with Kateryna Portmann, Women in Robotics, Co-Lead and lecturer in robotics and Physical AI.Kateryna shares her journey into robotics, from neurorehabilitation technology to industrial inspection robots, and explains why representation, visibility and access matter in engineering. She also discusses how robotics is evolving, why inclusive teams build better products, and what the next generation of women in tech should know as they build their careers.
Derek Austin, Head of Computer Vision at ZeroMark, Inc
35:24|In this episode of Behind the Mission, we speak with Derek Austin, Head of Computer Vision at ZeroMark, about building computer vision systems for counter-drone defence.Derek shares his journey from computer science and self-supervised learning to leading computer vision development at ZeroMark. The conversation explores edge deployment, startup culture, defence technology, counter-UAS systems, drone warfare, and why curiosity, ownership, and high agency matter in fast-moving technical teams.
Eloa Guillotin, CEO & Co-Founder of Beyond Aero
22:21|In this episode of Behind the Flight, we speak with Eloa Guillotin, CEO of Beyond Aero, about building a hydrogen-electric business aircraft.Eloa shares her journey from aerospace engineering in Toulouse to entrepreneurship, and explains how Beyond Aero is developing a six-seat aircraft designed around hydrogen propulsion.The conversation explores electric aviation, certification, aircraft design, hydrogen infrastructure, company culture, and why the next generation of engineers needs to think with speed, data, and pragmatism.
Ken Macken, CEO & Founder of Workr
51:34|In this episode we speak Ken Macken, Founder and CEO of Workr, a robotics company focused on solving global labour shortages through autonomous workforce solutions.Ken shares his journey from hands-on manufacturing roles to building multiple companies, and explains why the future of robotics is not about hype, but about delivering consistent output in industries where labour is disappearing. He breaks down how to build a business from a real problem, why customer value comes before technology, and what founders need to understand before making the leap into entrepreneurship.The conversation also explores the global shift towards automation, the reality behind workforce shortages, and why robotics will become a core part of productivity across every industry.
Csaba Hartmann, Robotics Leader
27:37|In this episode of Behind the Robot we speak with Csaba Hartmann, a leader in the Robotics IndustryCsaba shares his journey from Hungary into robotics, consulting, electric vehicles, humanoids, and deep tech investing. He explains what it takes to scale hardware companies, shorten supply chains, improve manufacturing, and build operational systems that help robotics teams move faster.The conversation also explores where robotics is heading next, why practical and applied systems will matter, and what founders and engineers need to understand about building real products in fast-moving environments.
Max Hjalmarsson, CEO at Airpelago
37:24|In this episode we speak with Max Hjalmarsson, Co-Founder and CEO of Airpelago, about his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of one of Europe’s leading drone inspection companies.Max shares how Airpelago evolved from an idea into a fast-scaling business focused on power line inspections using autonomous drone operations. The conversation explores aviation safety culture, drone regulations, automation, AI, infrastructure monitoring, and how Airpelago is helping energy companies improve grid reliability and prevent blackouts.The episode also covers startup growth, hiring culture, scaling internationally, and why the future of drone operations will rely on automation, regulation, and operational efficiency.
Pierre Bi, Founder & CEO at enshift
36:01|In this episode we speak with Pierre Bi, Founder and CEO of enshift, about his entrepreneurial journey and mission to decarbonise real estate across Europe.Pierre shares how his background in mechanical engineering, battery systems, air purification, and renewable energy shaped the creation of enshift. The conversation explores building a startup, managing risk, renewable energy adoption, battery storage, grid resilience, and why real estate plays a major role in Europe’s clean energy transition.The episode also covers enshift’s one-stop-shop approach to solar, heat pumps, battery storage, and energy asset management, as well as the skills needed to scale clean energy infrastructure.
Brad King, CEO at Orbion Space Technology
28:53|In this episode we sit down with Brad King, CEO and Co-Founder of Orbion Space Technology, to discuss the role of propulsion in the next phase of the space economy.Brad shares his journey from aerospace engineering into leadership, and explains how Orbion was built around a growing market need for reliable, fuel-efficient propulsion systems for satellites. He breaks down how in-space mobility supports orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, and deorbiting, and why those capabilities are becoming more important as the space sector scales.The conversation also covers the growth of New Space, the impact of lower launch costs, the importance of manufacturing capacity and reliability, and why systems-level engineering is becoming a critical skill across the industry.