John Blitch

The robotics industry is entering a new era where success depends not just on innovation but on the ability to scale and deploy systems in real-world environments. While the "breakthrough" happens in the lab, the "business" happens post-design across an increasingly unpredictable public infrastructure. This panel assembles robotics industry leaders to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and commercial viability, discussing challenges and opportunities.

Attendees can expect a deep dive into the operational "valley of death" and the strategies used to cross it. Key insights include:

The Physical AI Frontier: How the convergence of generative models and robotics is shortening development cycles—and where it still hits a wall

The Scaling Playbook: Hard-won lessons on transitioning from custom-built prototypes to high-volume manufacturing without sacrificing reliability

Infrastructure & Supply Chain Readiness: Navigating the global hardware squeeze and ensuring your tech stack is compatible with legacy systems

Winning the Trust of the End-User: Strategies for overcoming "automation anxiety" and demonstrating clear ROI to skeptical customers

The Regulatory Landscape: Preparing for the shifting safety standards and compliance requirements that come with large-scale deployment