the robotics decade: tasks - corl 2026 founder / researcher lunch
Robots are getting more capable fast. As robot learning moves from demos toward deployment, the harder question is what to build, for whom, and at what price? (Anthropic recently found that robots can already do three-quarters of physical job tasks, but are cost-competitive for less than 1%.)
Just us at lunch (+ rooftop vibes) where we bring together robotics researchers, founders, and a select investors around one topic: the tasks. Define the job, the buyer, and the economic outcome first, then design the system to deliver it.
No more hammers looking for nails. It starts with conversations between the people building robots and the people who will buy them.
About our hosts:
0 State is the robot-native lab where the most ambitious founders build the next generation of physical AI companies, alongside a curated community of top tier researchers and builders in SF. The hardware renaissance is here, and this is where it's built.
Scale AI’s mission is to accelerate the development of AI applications. To enable teams to make faster progress, we began with data - the foundation of all AI applications. Scale AI turns raw data into high-quality training data by combining machine learning powered pre-labeling and active tooling with varying levels and types of human review.
Palatial builds the simulation layer for physical AI, turning CAD, scans, photos, and video into validated, simulation-ready assets and environments. Its real-to-sim pipeline helps robotics teams train and evaluate robot behavior in simulation before deploying in the real world.
Rho is the all-in-one banking platform for startups and the accountants supporting them. With banking setup in minutes, up to 2% cashback cards, and powerful tools for managing spend, paying bills, and closing the books, Rho helps high-growth startups move fast and stay focused, backed by support that goes to the end of the earth to help you win.
Rho is a fintech company, not a bank. Checking and card services are provided by Webster Bank, N.A., member FDIC; savings account services are provided by American Deposit Management Co. and its partner banks.