Antony Seppi

Robotic arms have been the backbone of manufacturing for decades, but deploying them in modern, agile factory environments still presents massive integration, software, and safety challenges. At the same time, the hardware world is flooded with hype surrounding humanoid robots, leaving many to wonder if traditional articulated arms are on the verge of extinction. This session cuts through the noise to examine the true state of manufacturing robotics. We will break down the immediate technical hurdles of deploying next-generation arms, explore new sensing and AI technologies keeping them relevant, and debate whether the future belongs to specialized, highly efficient arms or flexible, human-shaped machines.

Also with Mark Gagas, Doug Hardesty

Source: startupcincyweek.com (opens in a new tab)

University tech transfer offices and military labs sit on a goldmine of uncommercialized innovation, yet they remain widely misunderstood and underutilized by hardware startups. Most founders view tech transfer as a single-shot transaction—acquiring an isolated piece of IP only if they happen to graduate from that specific institution. This session flips the script, mapping out how to proactively approach research hubs and build a comprehensive tech-licensing package. We will demystify the licensing pipeline, explore how to combine multiple technologies to create a moat, and show how to leverage public R&D to drive long-term corporate growth rather than a one-off product launch.

Also with Paul Jackson

Source: startupcincyweek.com (opens in a new tab)

Building on the core frameworks of the speaker’s newly released book, this high-energy, 45-minute interactive workshop moves attendees from passive listening to active execution. Participants will break out into competitive teams to rapidly build a hardware business concept from scratch, navigating the critical steps required to move a physical product securely through the earliest Technology Readiness Levels. Teams will pressure-test their unit economics, map out their manufacturing viability, and define their target market under tight constraints. The session culminates in a fast-paced pitch competition where groups present to a business panel, voting on who built the most viable, market-ready hardware venture.

Source: startupcincyweek.com (opens in a new tab)