Rodney Brooks

When I want an automation reality check, I go to Rodney Brooks, one of the past century’s most influential roboticists. The Robust.AI CTO cofounded iRobot and Rethink Robotics after spending a quarter-century teaching the subject at MIT. His annual scorecard is an important progress report for AI and automation hype cycles. In this episode, we talk about humanoid robots, AI hype, and the future of automation. We’d love to hear from you! Have thoughts or guest suggestions? Reach us at podcast@automate.org . You can find the transcript and more episodes of Automated at automate.org/podcast. Unlock full access to Automated and explore everything automation. Subscribe today and leave a review on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to the Automated Newsletter: https://www.automate.org/automation/newsletter-automation-roundup You can also find us on: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/automated-podcast-by-a3/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/automatedpod/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Step into the future as we dissect the latest 2025 Tech Predictions Scorecard by robotics and AI visionary Rodney Brooks . Known for cutting through the hype, Brooks delivers a no-nonsense evaluation of advancements in self-driving cars , AI , robotics , and space exploration . From the rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to the challenges of achieving truly autonomous vehicles and the dream of affordable human space flight , we explore the insights and realities shaping these rapidly evolving fields. In this episode, we uncover: 🚗 Why the promise of self-driving cars remains clouded by "smoke and mirrors." 🤖 The "Seven Deadly Sins" of AI predictions and their real-world implications. 🧠 The surprising limits of humanoid robots and the persistent allure of AI-powered research. 🚀 SpaceX’s dominance, Blue Origin’s ascent, and the evolving race to the Moon and beyond. 🌌 Why human-like robot companions and affordable space tourism might still be decades away. Join us for an engaging deep dive into Brooks’s vision for the future of technology—what’s on track, what’s falling short, and the profound questions these advancements raise about humanity’s role in shaping tomorrow. 💬 What do you think about Brooks’s predictions? Drop your thoughts below and share the future you envision. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify #TechPredictions #RodneyBrooks #FutureOfAI #SpaceExploration #Innovation Link: https://rodneybrooks.com/predictions-scorecard-2025-january-01/

Rodney Brooks is a pioneer in the world of robotics, AI, and innovation. Best known as the co-founder of iRobot, the company behind the Roomba vacuum cleaner, Rodney has spent decades shaping how we interact with intelligent machines. From using robots to assist in Fukushima's cleanup to designing technology that prioritizes human agency, Rodney has consistently championed practical, human-centric innovation. On this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl and Rodney discuss: 00:00 - Introduction and Sponsorship 01:31 - Introduction to Rodney 02:12 - Rodney's Most Proud Accomplishment 03:52 - The Promise of Robotics 04:32 - Misunderstandings About Robotics and AI 06:15 - Tele-Operated Robots and Misleading Perceptions 08:37 - Designing Robots for Human Interaction 10:55 - The Importance of Human Agency in Robotics 13:15 - Singularity and Techno-Religion 15:36 - Technology as "Magic" 18:00 - Large Language Models and Utility 20:26 - Robotics and Elder Care 22:48 - Emotional Robotics and Aibo 25:09 - Opportunities in Robotics for Innovators 27:01 - Robots in Warehouses: A Practical Approach 29:22 - Limits of Exponential Scaling in AI 31:41 - Confabulation vs. Hallucination in AI 33:20 - Lessons from Watson and AI Overpromises 35:22 - AI as a Developer Tool 37:36 - Creativity, Copyright, and AI Disruption 39:58 - Tools and Artistic Expression 42:25 - Risks in Infrastructure and Supply Chains 44:44 - "The World is Its Own Best Model" 47:06 - Robotics for Warehouse Fulfillment 49:35 - The Evolution of User Interfaces 52:01 - Design Principles for Robotics 54:22 - The Importance of Accurate Predictions 56:40 - EVs and Infrastructure Challenges 58:55 - The Role of Infrastructure in Innovation 01:01:13 - Closing Thoughts on Technological Progress 01:02:12 - Thank You and Wrap-Up Where to find Rodney Brooks: • Website: RodneyBrooks.com • LinkedIn: Rodney Brooks • X (formerly Twitter): Rodney Brooks Brought to you by: AskTuring.ai Production and marketing by Modry Media For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email info@modry.us

Rodney Brooks has spent his entire life at the intersection of robotics, computers, and AI. When the Roomba vacuum cleaner launched in 2002, his company, iRobot, brought all three into millions of people’s homes. iRobot had already succeeded with robots for space exploration, mine detection, search missions, and military applications. However, after the Roomba came out, it went public with a valuation of $600 million. By then, Rodney had been working on AI and robots for decades alongside the original creators of AI at Stanford and MIT. On today’s episode, we discuss: The hype around machine learning and what’s next Bootstrapping a startup versus taking funding The advantages of being ambitious The relationship between luck, risk, and success Building robots that work with people rather than against them How to build a trustworthy company How he predicts what technology is on the rise His advice to today’s builders And much more — Brought to you by: Vanta – Automate compliance, manage risk, and prove trust—continuously. ⁠Get $1,000 off⁠ . Runway – The finance platform you don’t hate. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Learn more⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. — Where to find Rodney Brooks: • Website: https://people.csail.mit.edu/brooks/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-brooks-1a137517 • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rodneyabrooks.bsky.social • X: https://x.com/rodneyabrooks Where to find Eric: • Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ericries.carrd.co/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ericriesshow.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theericriesshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — In This Episode We Cover: (00:00) Welcome to the Eric Ries Show (03:00) Taking iRobot public (04:33) The change in company culture from private to public (06:14) Rodney’s upbringing in Australia and early experiments with computers, robots, and mathematics (7:19) The era of the computer operator (9:37) Rodney’s arrival at Stanford in 1977 and move to MIT, at the dawn of AI (11:05) His relationships with the creators of AI (12:15) What innovators of AI and general intelligence thought they were creating at the time (13:17) Rodney’s first AI startup, Lucid (14:52) What Rodney learned about building startups from the experience (18:31) Starting Light Robot, the space exploration company that eventually became iRobot (21:29) The fourteen business models on the road to success, including toys (26:03) The pivot to vacuums (29:04) Learning about the minutiae of mass production (34:43) Rodney’s thoughts on the relationship

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Descubre la historia de Rodney Brooks, emprendedor en robótica y creador del Roomba. Aprende cómo superó desafíos técnicos y de inversión para crear su exitosa empresa.

Rodney Brooks talks about the dangers of squandering intelligence and the importance of conserving resources.

Rodney Brooks discusses the history and importance of welding and the role it plays in modern manufacturing.

Rodney Brooks, an advisor to Microsoft and creator of the Typing of the Dead game tells Lexman about his experiences in the world of pedicures and what inspired him to create the Alhambra game. He also talks about the controversial topic of nibblers and irrepealableness.

Rodney Brooks, co-founder of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, discusses how robotics is changing the field of religious education.

Rodney Brooks discusses the challenges and opportunities of smallholder agriculture in the face of climate change.

Rodney Brooks is a sculptor and licorice taster who shares his incredible insights on the art and craft of licorice making. From his techniques to his philosophy on this often-misunderstood flavor, Rodney provides an entertaining and informative interview that any fan of licorice will enjoy.