Episodes

  • Robots on Subscription: Rethinking Automation for SMEs

    Robots on Subscription: Rethinking Automation for SMEs
    May 15 2025
    Guest: Nimrod Malinas, CEO & Co-Founder of Robonnement
    Co-host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger
    Host: Stephan Lendi

    How do you bring advanced robotics to businesses that thought they couldn’t afford it? In this episode of AI Talk, we meet Nimrod Malinas, the Swiss-Israeli founder behind Robonnement, a startup that offers robots as a subscription service. With a bold RaaS (Robots-as-a-Service) model, Robonnement helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access automation without massive upfront costs.Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore how Robonnement deploys flexible, modular robots in industries like manufacturing, food service, and logistics – and how automation can be democratized without overwhelming smaller businesses.From appearing on TV shows to landing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Nimrod shares what it takes to change how people think about robots, scale a startup across Europe, and tackle the labor shortage with tech.
    In this episode:
    • What is Robonnement and how does the subscription model work?
    • Challenges of selling robotics to SMEs
    • Why simplicity and service are key to RaaS
    • Insights from scaling operations in Switzerland and Germany
    • What the future of work and automation looks like – beyond the factory floor
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    31 mins
  • Designing Intelligence: How Artifact Builds AI Products That Actually Work

    Designing Intelligence: How Artifact Builds AI Products That Actually Work
    May 8 2025
    Designing Intelligence: How Artifact Builds AI Products That Actually Work

    Guest: Michael Wegmüller, Co-Founder of Artifact
    Co-host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger
    Host: Stephan Lendi

    What makes a good AI product actually work in the real world? It’s not just about models and infrastructure – it’s about interfaces, intuition, and end-to-end product thinking. In this episode of AI Talk, we delve into Artifact, a fast-growing startup from Switzerland that's helping the next generation of teams turn AI into practical, daily-use tools. We speak to co-founder Michael Wegmüller about what makes AI useful, what most teams still get wrong – and how to build products that go beyond hype.

    We discuss:
    • What Artifact does and the problems they are solving
    • The difference between building AI models and building AI products
    • Why UX and integration are often more important than model performance
    • Examples of AI in action: Artifact success stories
    • Advice for startups and corporates: What to focus on next
    Tune in to gain insights into building AI products that truly deliver value.
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    24 mins
  • Robert MacKenzie – Scaling Robots with Purpose

    Robert MacKenzie – Scaling Robots with Purpose
    May 7 2025
    Robert MacKenzie – Scaling Robots with Purpose

    Language: English

    How do you scale from a robotic prototype to 200+ autonomous machines working across the globe? In this episode, we talk to Robert MacKenzie, former CPO & CTO of ANYbotics, about what it takes to turn complex AI-powered technology into real-world impact — from industrial stair-climbing robots to fully autonomous inspection systems. Together with co-host Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, we explore AI, mobility, scaling deep tech companies, and what it means to lead at the intersection of people, product, and purpose.

    Topics include:
    ✅ Robotics & AI in the field
    ✅ ANYmal’s industrial journey
    ✅ Product leadership in scale-ups
    ✅ Purpose-driven innovation
    ✅ The future of autonomous systems

    Host: Stephan Lendi | LinkedIn
    Co-Host: Dalith Steiger-Gablinger | LinkedIn

    Powered by Newbury Media & Swiss Cognitive
    Supported by Swiss ICT and Innovation Zurich

    About Innovation Zurich
    Innovation Zurich is your gateway to Zurich’s innovation landscape. Meet the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future – and see why the Canton of Zurich is a top location for tech, science, and entrepreneurship in Europe: innovation.zuerich

    About swissICT
    swissICT is Switzerland’s largest ICT association, connecting users, providers, and individuals across the tech ecosystem. Since 1955, it has supported the digital development of Switzerland through networking, knowledge sharing, and policy engagement. swissict.ch
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    22 mins