The latest robotics investment trends to be revealed, analyzed at RoboBusiness 2024

After trade conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a slump in the robotics market, what should entrepreneurs, investors, and customers be looking for? An expert panel will analyze the latest robotics investment trends at RoboBusiness 2024, which will be on Oct. 16 and 17 in Santa Clara, Calif.

This session, which brings together investors and roboticists, will discuss the challenges and opportunities of fundraising, from early stage capital through commercialization. The panelists will discuss the current state of robotics investments, which technologies and applications are finding demand, and related technologies such as artificial intelligence.

They will also clarify the differences between strategic and institutional investors, the role of geography, and where the industry is headed.

This panel, part of the Driving Business track, will be at 1:30 p.m. PT on Day 2 of the event, in Room 212 of the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Startup, investors to share insights into robotics investment trends

Schuyler Cullen is co-founder and CEO of Summer Robotics Inc., which has developed a fundamental new approach to robotic visual intelligence. The Campbell, Calif.-based company said its software is powering more competent robots on the manufacturing line and in future contexts where robots need to handle uncertain and complex conditions.

Cullen has contributed to the fields of robotics, visual intelligence, and autonomous vehicles. Most recently, he was vice president of AI and robotics at Samsung, where he led researchers and engineers building Samsung’s autonomous mobility stack for robots and cars. While at Samsung, Cullen also engaged with academic groups, having helped bring industry alliances such as Berkeley BDD and BAIR to life.

Cullen holds degrees in mathematics and physics from Caltech and earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Stanford. His academic career includes achievements such as working with Nobel Prize-winning professors and contributing to research in particle physics and string theory.

Ivy Nguyen is principal at Autotech Ventures. She has worked with teams employing a broad range of business models built around AI, machine learning, and automation, from traditional enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) to full-stack, tech-enabled manufacturers, construction firms, and healthcare providers.

Previously, Nguyen worked at Blackhorn Ventures, where she invested in startups driving decarbonization in construction, manufacturing, and supply chain activities. Nguyen also led early-stage investments in AI startups at Point72 Ventures and Zetta Venture Partners.

She is a thought leader on AI investing and entrepreneurship who has published in TechCrunch and VentureBeat. Nguyen was named among Forbes’ “30 under 30 in Venture Capital” in 2018 for her work in AI. She earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Stanford University.

Eric Truebenbach is managing director of Teradyne Robotics Ventures. He is a longtime player in robotics and automation, as an inventor, a leader of two internal startups, an acquirer, and an investor.

In Teradyne Corporate Development, he played a key role in the acquisitions of collaborative robot leader Universal Robots, mobile robot provider Mobile Industrial Robots, and others. Truebenbach currently manages the company’s corporate venture fund dedicated to investing in automation and AI to make people safer, more productive, and more engaged.

A holder of dozens of patents, Truebenbach is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent Office, and he is a Teradyne Engineering Fellow.

Moderator Eugene Demaitre is editorial director for robotics at WTWH Media, which also produces The Robot Report, Automated Warehouse, and the Robotics Summit & Expo in addition to RoboBusiness. Prior to working for WTWH Media, he was an editor at BNA (now part of Bloomberg), Computerworld, TechTarget, and Robotics Business Review.

For nearly a decade, Demaitre has participated in robotics conferences worldwide, as well as spoken on numerous webcasts and podcasts. He is always interested in learning and sharing more about the latest technology and industry developments.

Demaitre has a master’s from the George Washington University and lives in the Boston area.

Register today for RoboBusiness 2024

In addition to investment trends and business topics related to running a robotics company, RoboBusiness will focus on robotics innovation and enabling technologies. Keynotes at the event will feature:

• Rodney Brooks, co-founder and chief technology officer at Robust AI, as well as co-founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics
• Sergey Levine, co-founder of Physical Intelligence and an associate professor at UC Berkeley
• Claire Delaunay, chief technology officer at farm-ng
• Torrey Smith, co-founder and CEO of Endiatx

RoboBusiness will also include more than 60 speakers, over 100 exhibitors and demos on the expo floor, 10+ hours of dedicated networking time, the Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition, a Women in Robotics Luncheon, and more.

RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, which focuses on the design and development of medical devices. Thousands of robotics practitioners from around the world will convene in Silicon Valley, so register now to ensure your spot!