building robots, breaking guinness records + playing drums

The robotics market is already worth over $50 billion and projected to hit $200 billion by 2033. It is one of the fastest growing areas in tech and one of the most exciting spaces to be paying attention to right now.

This week I sit down with Hiten Sonpal, CEO of Rise Robotics, based out of Somerville, Massachusetts. He has spent his entire career in the robotics industry, from iRobot to leading his own companies, and now he's running a startup founded by graduates of MIT and the Rhode Island School of Design that just broke a Guinness World Record for the strongest robotic arm ever built.

This is the patch

• The technology: how Rise's belt technology is replacing hydraulics, the system that has powered heavy machinery for over a century, with something faster, smoother and more efficient

• The record: what it actually took to build the strongest robotic arm prototype ever and why 7,000 pounds matters - check out their celebration here
• The opportunity: how Rise is powering the electrification of heavy machinery and why that makes this one of the most interesting spaces to be watching right now

Rise recently opened their funding round to the public, raised $5.7 million, and came in 15% over their cap. A new round is opening soon so if you're interested in becoming an investor, check out the link!

In the lifestyle segment, Hiten shares how drumming keeps him connected to the creative side of engineering.

All views expressed are my own.