24 December 2025
TECH010: The Real Robotics Timeline w/ Ken Goldberg (Tech Podcast)
We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network
About
Ken and Preston examine whether robotics has lost its way, echoing Rodney Brooks’ concerns. They dissect the gap between AI language models and physical robotics, focusing on dexterous manipulation, tactile sensing, and visual feedback.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:37 - Why Ken agrees that robotics may have “lost its way”
00:03:37 - The critical gap between AI language skills and robotic manipulation
00:04:33 - How robot mobility is advancing, but dexterity still lags
00:08:15 - Why tying shoelaces is still too complex for robots
00:12:37 - The role of tactile sensing vs. vision in robotic surgery
00:14:45 - How camera placement in robotic hands affects manipulation
00:20:18 - Why the robot data gap could be 100,000 years behind language models
00:25:13 - Why simpler grippers often outperform human-like robotic hands
00:27:03 - The engineering behind Dex-Net and Ambi Robotics’ success
00:34:37 - How real-world testing exposed unexpected robotic limitations
Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Official website: Ken Goldberg.
Website mentioned: Ambi Robotics.
Research Article: Dex-Net in Science Robotics January 2019.
Executive Education profile: Prof. Ken Goldberg.
Ken Goldberg interview by Kara Manke: Are We Truly on the Verge of the Humanoid Robot Revolution?
Goldberg on Moravec's Paradox.
Goldberg on AI and Creativity.
TEDx Talk: "Robots: What's Taking So Long?"
Op-Ed by Ken Goldberg, Boston Globe: Let's Give AI a Chance.
Research Papers are available for download.
Related books mentioned in the podcast.
Ad-free episodes on our Premium Feed.
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Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors:
Simple Mining
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Unchained
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Vanta
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Abundant Mines
Horizon
Public.com - see the full disclaimer here.
References to any third-party products, services, or advertisers do not constitute endorsements, and The Investor’s Podcast Network is not responsible for any claims made by them.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:37 - Why Ken agrees that robotics may have “lost its way”
00:03:37 - The critical gap between AI language skills and robotic manipulation
00:04:33 - How robot mobility is advancing, but dexterity still lags
00:08:15 - Why tying shoelaces is still too complex for robots
00:12:37 - The role of tactile sensing vs. vision in robotic surgery
00:14:45 - How camera placement in robotic hands affects manipulation
00:20:18 - Why the robot data gap could be 100,000 years behind language models
00:25:13 - Why simpler grippers often outperform human-like robotic hands
00:27:03 - The engineering behind Dex-Net and Ambi Robotics’ success
00:34:37 - How real-world testing exposed unexpected robotic limitations
Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Official website: Ken Goldberg.
Website mentioned: Ambi Robotics.
Research Article: Dex-Net in Science Robotics January 2019.
Executive Education profile: Prof. Ken Goldberg.
Ken Goldberg interview by Kara Manke: Are We Truly on the Verge of the Humanoid Robot Revolution?
Goldberg on Moravec's Paradox.
Goldberg on AI and Creativity.
TEDx Talk: "Robots: What's Taking So Long?"
Op-Ed by Ken Goldberg, Boston Globe: Let's Give AI a Chance.
Research Papers are available for download.
Related books mentioned in the podcast.
Ad-free episodes on our Premium Feed.
NEW TO THE SHOW?
Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members.
Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok.
Check out our Bitcoin Fundamentals Starter Packs.
Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here.
Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance Tool.
Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services.
Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, The Intrinsic Value Newsletter.
Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts.
SPONSORS
Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors:
Simple Mining
Linkedin Talent Solutions
HardBlock
Alexa+
Unchained
Amazon Ads
Vanta
Shopify
Abundant Mines
Horizon
Public.com - see the full disclaimer here.
References to any third-party products, services, or advertisers do not constitute endorsements, and The Investor’s Podcast Network is not responsible for any claims made by them.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm