In this episode of DeepTech Unleashed, host Debjit Mukerji sits down with Ariyan Kabir, Co-Founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics, to explore the future of autonomous manufacturing and how to build manufacturing resilience. Based in Los Angeles, GrayMatter Robotics is pioneering generalized robotic intelligence designed to handle the 90% of manufacturing tasks that are still performed manually today.

Ariyan shares how his background in research and real-world problem solving shaped GrayMatter’s approach to automation, and why solving labor shortages and operational complexity is key to building more resilient global manufacturing systems.

Watch this episode in full below or listen on your preferred podcast platform here.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The founding journey: How a natural disaster in Bangladesh and a PhD at the University of Southern California (USC) led to Ariyan’s interest in bridging the gap between AI and the physical world.
• The market opportunity: Why robotics is a “medicine, not a vitamin” for global production and how solving the challenges presented by the projected 3.8 million unfilled manufacturing vacancies by 2033 is a multi-trillion global market opportunity.
• The technical challenge: Delivering "true AI-powered robotics" and overcoming challenges like real-time adaptation to complex materials and the intricate physics of sanding, painting, and finishing.
• The human element: Improving the quality of life for workers by removing them from tedious and hazardous work.
• Use case versatility: Addressing the rigorous demands of both commercial manufacturing and national security, including applications for fighter jets and submarines.
• Research to reality: Insights into the transition from academic research to scaling a market leading startup including fundraising, team building and product development.

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About the Guest: Ariyan Kabir 

Ariyan Kabir is a Co-Founder & CEO at GrayMatter Robotics, a company focused on enhancing human productivity and improving the quality of life through AI-powered robotics solutions. He is a seasoned robotics and AI researcher with a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and prior experience as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Research Associate. His expertise spans robotics, algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and control systems. He is passionate about making robots smart, easy to use, and rapidly deployable for complex operations.

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Follow Ariyan Kabir on LinkedIn here. Find out more about GrayMatter Robotics here.

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