The Techne Connect

In this episode of Behind the Robot, we speak with Laurence Allen , CEO of Terranova . Laurence explains how Terranova builds autonomous terraforming robots to lift land out of flood zones, preserving cities and infrastructure in place. He shares lessons from SpaceX, scaling deep tech hardware, and why robotics must focus on real world problems like flooding and climate resilience. This episode ex...

Recorded onsite at the Williams Technology Campus, this episode takes you inside Williams Grand Prix Technologies, where Formula One engineering culture is being applied to real-world industrial challenges. You hear from Selin Tur, Managing Director and CTO, as she shares her journey from F1 engineering to executive leadership. She explains the mission behind the business, the focus on digital eng...

In this episode of Behind The Orbit, we speak with Lucy Edge, a Space Industry Executive with experience across UK Defence, ESA, Surrey Satellite Technology, Avanti Communications, and the UK space innovation ecosystem. Lucy shares her journey from elite sport into astrophysics and spacecraft engineering, then into senior leadership roles spanning corporates, scale ups, and startups. She discusses...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we spoke with Lesya Hendrix , CEO of Spacer Robotics , about building autonomous construction robots designed for harsh, repetitive work on Earth and future deployment in space. Lesya shares her path from KTH and Scania to Tesla, including factory ramp-ups and product launches. She explains why modern robotics needs autonomy, vision, and AI, why hardware engi...

In this episode of Behind The Robot, we speak with Hossein Dehghani , CTO at Human In Motion Robotics Inc. in British Columbia, Canada. Hossein breaks down what the CTO role looks like in a robotics start-up, spanning product roadmap, system architecture, R and D, stakeholder alignment, and building the right technical culture across a multidisciplinary team. Hossein shares how his early exposure...

In this episode of Behind The Robot, we speak with Fabien Expert , hardware CTO at Wandercraft . Fabien explains how Wandercraft started with one clear mission, helping people who cannot walk to stand and walk again through exoskeleton technology. He shares how the company evolved from rehabilitation exoskeletons used in clinics to a personal exoskeleton designed for daily life, aimed as a complem...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with KC Kroll , Director of Civil Programmes at EarthDaily . KC explains how Earth observation, spectral analytics and AI-ready satellite data are shaping new solutions across food security, agriculture, climate resilience and national security. He shares his career journey from psychology student to remote sensing specialist and senior leader in the...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Armin Shahsavari, COO and co-founder of KELO Robotics . Armin explains how KELO is building mobile robots that support true human-robot collaboration through omnidirectional movement, modular design and intuitive control systems. He shares the story behind KELO’s growth, the development of their industrial “Lego-like” mobile platform and how the...

Recorded with Ocado Technology, this episode takes you inside one of the most advanced grocery automation operations in the world. You hear from Steve Payling, VP of Product at Ocado Technology, as he shares how Ocado evolved from an online grocer into a global automation platform. He covers the Hive and bot-led fulfilment system, what product success looks like across software, hardware and contr...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Tracy Simek , Chief People Officer at Locus Robotics . Tracy shares how Locus grew from 38 people to a global leader in warehouse AMR solutions and what it takes to build a strong culture as a robotics company scales. He explains the people function’s role in hiring, retention, learning and development, and why curiosity, teamwork and continuous...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, David Fischel , Chairman and CEO of Stereotaxis , explains how he rebuilt a medical robotics company facing bankruptcy and turned it into a leader in endovascular surgery. He outlines how Stereotaxis developed magnetic navigation systems that guide soft, hair-thin catheters through the body with high precision and why this approach improves safety and access...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Aldus von der Burg , founder and CEO of Meili Robots , shares how he built a fleet management platform now used across Europe, North America, and Asia. He talks through Meili’s pivots, the shift toward platform-based deployment, and why interoperability is becoming essential for mobile robots in warehouses, hospitals, and outdoor environments. Aldus reflects...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Gary Paffett , two time DTM champion, long serving Formula 1 test and reserve driver, and now Racing Director at CUPRA KIRO in Formula E. Gary shares his journey from early karting with his family to winning national titles, securing major manufacturer support and building a 15 year career with Mercedes in DTM. He talks about the step into leade...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Matt Trossen , CEO and Founder of Trossen Robotics , shares how he built a twenty-one-year company that now supports leading machine learning and teleoperation research teams. He talks about rebuilding Trossen’s product line for the new wave of data-driven robotics, the shift toward low-cost servos, and the growing demand for full-stack solutions from hardwar...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Jamie Palmer , CTO and Co-Founder of Icarus Robotics . Jamie explains how Icarus is building free flying dexterous robots for space stations to support astronauts with cargo handling, maintenance and experimental tasks in microgravity. He shares his journey from mechanical engineering at Trinity College Dublin to Formula One performance engineer...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Margherita Cardi , Vice President for Programs and Business Development at Tyvak International . Margherita explains how Tyvak designs and delivers complete small satellite missions, from requirements through to launch and operations, and why end to end exposure is central to engineering growth. She shares her journey from studying aerospace eng...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Paolo Pino , Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Volta Space Technologies , speaks about how his team is building wireless energy transmission systems to power lunar missions and extend their lifespan from days to years. Paolo shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, his work developing Volta’s first space-qualified laser systems, and the...

In this episode, we speak with Dominic Perez , CTO at Curtiss-Wright Corporation . Dominic explains how the company delivers rugged, swap-optimised systems for mission-critical communications across land, sea, air and space platforms. He shares his journey from QA engineer to CTO, the value of learning adjacent disciplines and the mentors who shaped his approach to engineering, leadership and stra...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Mike Lawton , Director and Co-Founder of Oxford Dynamics and long-time entrepreneur. Mike shares how he built five companies, the lessons learned from early ventures and why team, timing and technology must align for a business to work. He explains how to turn ideas into real products, validate markets early and avoid the common traps faced by a...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Víctor Mayoral-Vilches , Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Alias Robotics , explores and discusses the fast-growing world of robot cybersecurity. Víctor shares how his team “hacks to protect,” securing robots used across healthcare, defence, and industrial automation. He explains why safety and security are inseparable in robotics, how generative AI is...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Robert Blank , VP of Product and Growth at Lucid Bots , shares how his team is redefining commercial robotics through purpose-built innovation. Robert explains how Lucid’s aerial and ground-based robots are tackling dull, dirty, and dangerous work, from automated cleaning to industrial painting, and why speed, iteration, and real-world deployment are key to t...

In this episode we speak with Quintin Jones, Head of Spire North America. Quintin explains how space based data, weather modelling and RF geolocation are shaping new solutions across defence, logistics, climate resilience and national security. He shares his career journey from Marine Corps infantry officer to senior defence leader, including his time supporting high level decision making in the P...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, we speak with Todd Hughes , Chief Innovation Officer at Scientific Systems. Todd explains how the company develops autonomous systems for contested, GPS-denied environments and why software-centric autonomy will shape the next generation of defence robotics. He shares his journey from academic philosophy to DARPA programme management, outlining the origins of...

In this episode of the Techne Connect, Ewan Baldry , Chief Engineer at Czinger Vehicles , talks through a career shaped by racing, engineering, and bold decisions. Ewan shares how he moved from TVR to Williams F1, then built his own race car company. He explains how these experiences shaped his approach to design, leadership, and problem solving. He also discusses the challenges of running a small...

In this episode of The Techne Connect, Ally Stone , Chief Strategy Officer at Reflect Orbital , explains how her team is using satellite mirrors to deliver “sunlight on demand,” extending solar power generation from space. She shares her path from renewable energy and finance to leading strategy in the space sector, and how Reflect’s technology bridges sustainability and orbital innovation. Ally d...