Physical AI: Robots and Embodied AI Are Reshaping American Industry
Hosted by Automation and Deep Tech Club + Tyler Mangini + Avidan Ross
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What to look forward to
Founders, researchers, and operators will explore what’s changed in physical AI, how robots move from lab demos to customer floors, and what it takes to scale hard-tech companies. The panel features Rob Playter, former Boston Dynamics CEO, and David Johnson, Walden Robotics’ Chief Product Officer and a Stanford PhD, moderated by Root Ventures founding partner Avidan Ross.
Inside the event
The promise of physical AI has robots leaving the lab at unprecedented scale. However, capturing measurable value from these deployments remains as challenging as ever. Join the HBS Automation & Deep Tech Club and Root Ventures for an evening with the founders, researchers, and operators behind Boston's robotics ecosystem. We'll unpack how founders are building for the long-term in 0->1 Physical AI. We'll cover: Why now. What changed to make embodied AI work when it didn't five years ago Lab to product. Getting a robot out of the demo and onto a customer's floor Scaling hard tech. Capital, manufacturing, talent, and the mistakes worth skipping What this means for American industry Panel Rob Playter - former CEO of Boston Dynamics David Johnson - Chief Product Officer of Walden Robotics and Stanford PhD Moderated by Avidan Ross, Founding Partner of Root Ventures Who should come: Anyone building, joining, or investing in physical AI. HBS, SEAS, MIT, and the wider Boston community are all welcome. Food and drinks courtesy of Root Ventures. Stay after to meet the panelists and each other. Space is limited. Register early.
Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences
Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences, Science and Engineering Complex, 150 Western Ave, Boston, MA 02134, USA. Confirm the venue with the organizer before traveling.
Open in Google Maps ↗Discovered through Cerebral Valley. Details come from the event listing and the organizer page; registration is managed by the organizer.
Last checked: Oct 13, 2026. Confirm current availability before making plans.
Organizer page checked: Oct 13, 2026. Check registration for the latest details.