Key insights: Viam's robotics panel with UFactory and J.P. Morgan

On September 16th, Viam hosted an evening exploring the rapidly changing robotics landscape alongside UFactory and J.P. Morgan. The event brought together startup founders, engineers, and tech investors for an interactive panel discussion, live robotic demonstrations, and networking focused on how affordable robotic hardware and flexible software platforms are enabling the next generation of robotic applications.

Our panel featured Edouard Servan-Schreiber (VP of Solution Engineering at Viam), Samuel Chau (General Manager US at UFactory), and Sharia Huda (VP of Emerging Tech and Startups at J.P. Morgan Commercial Investment Bank). The conversation revealed critical insights about the current state of robotics and what it takes for startups to succeed in this evolving space.

Panelists talking in front of a crowd of attendees — Engineers, founders, and investors gathered at the Viam HQ for a panel featuring industry leaders from Viam, UFactory and J.P. Morgan.

Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:

Building together beats building alone in robotics

One of the biggest challenges in robotics is that everyone is rebuilding the same foundational software from scratch. As Edouard explained during the panel, "Everyone seems to be trying to rebuild from scratch the same solutions in different contexts. Very few software engineers want to solve this problem, and everyone trying to rebuild the same thing feels like a waste."

This infrastructure gap creates unnecessary barriers for founders who should be focused on solving real-world problems, not wrestling with low-level hardware integration. The solution lies in a flexible platform that allows for:

Universal compatibility: Deploy code that works regardless of specific hardware
Modular component registry: Access pre-built modules for common robotics functions without custom development
Rapid prototyping: Test ideas quickly without rebuilding foundational technology

When startups can access robust, pre-built infrastructure like Viam, they can focus their energy on innovation and customer value rather than reinventing foundational technology.

Hardware accessibility is democratizing robotics for startups

The cost barrier that once kept robotics limited to large corporations is shrinking. Sam Chau highlighted this shift, noting that while traditional industrial arms cost $35,000-$40,000 plus service contracts, UFactory's xArm6 delivers comparable specs for $10,000.

This dramatic cost reduction is creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs:

Lower barriers to entry: Startups can afford to experiment and iterate
Reduced risk: Lower upfront investment makes failure less catastrophic

The democratization of hardware means robotics solutions are no longer limited to companies with massive R&D budgets.

A UFactory robotic arm displayed on the floor while a UFactory team member explains their demo to an event attendeet — The UFactory team engaged the attendees with an interactive demo, allowing them to operate one of their arms.

AI is accelerating, making robotics more intuitive and practical

The integration of AI is transforming how robots interact with the physical world. Rather than requiring extensive programming for every scenario, AI enables robots to perceive, understand, and adapt to their environment.

Modern AI capabilities are making robotics more practical for real-world applications:

Intelligent perception: Ability to analyze scenes and respond to complex instructions
Adaptive behavior: Systems that adjust to changing conditions without reprogramming

This shift from rigid, pre-programmed systems to intelligent, adaptive robots opens up entirely new categories of applications that were previously impossible or prohibitively expensive to implement.

Viam team members posing with a water-pouring robot — The Viam team demonstrated Viam's software platform working with UFactory arms with an engaging water-pouring robot.

Breakthrough innovation begins with solving practical problems

Many of today’s robotics startups that are really succeeding are solving straightforward, practical problems. Samuel shared examples of customer applications that deliver real business value.

The most successful robotics startups follow a clear pattern:

Start with contained, well-defined problems: Avoid trying to solve everything at once
Focus on immediate business value: Choose applications with clear ROI
Build on proven technology: Use reliable components rather than inventing from scratch
Plan for iteration: Design systems that can evolve as needs change

As Edouard noted, even revolutionary technologies like the telephone started with simple use cases, enabling communication between ground crews and workers on skyscrapers. The ambitious vision came later, built on a foundation of practical success.

Open platforms are accelerating growth in robotics

Panel speakers sitting in front of a crowd of attendees raising their hands to ask questions — Attendees and panelists enjoyed a lively back and forth throughout the panel.

The robotics industry is moving toward an ecosystem approach where open platforms enable rapid innovation. Rather than building everything from scratch, successful companies are focusing on their core value proposition while leveraging shared infrastructure and components.