Meet our Perception and AI Lead: Theo
Before joining R3 Robotics, Theo was at the forefront of applied AI and robotics, driving innovation across startups and R&D teams in both industrial and academic contexts. At Arrival, he led robotics research with a focus on Computer Vision and Reinforcement Learning for assembly, visual SLAM, and automated CAD processing, contributing to publications at top-tier venues like ICRA.
His work has consistently bridged cutting-edge AI and practical deployment, from developing deep learning-based visual odometry at Samsung AI Center to building HD mapping systems at Lvl5.ai, later acquired by DoorDash. As a founder and technical leader, Theo also explored the potential of large language models in industrial automation and co-founded ventures tackling challenges in smart manufacturing. With a strong foundation in computer vision, self-driving technologies, and intelligent automation, his work continues to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in the real world.
What's your role at R3 Robotics?
Theo: I am leading the Perception & AI team, enabling the robots to see the parts and reason about the disassembly process. Compared to one of my previous jobs, where I built Computer Vision methods for the assembly of electric vehicles (at Arrival), now I do the same. Still, for disassembly, which is also much more fun! Fundamentally, the disassembly process is also much more challenging in terms of the variability that we have to deal with - the batteries have very different shapes and looks. We need to make our system work with all of them reliably, even if they are damaged, defective, or just dirty and rusty.
We get to own the perception stack end-to-end, sourcing the best suppliers for the sensors and designing the process of the data acquisition, as well as designing and implementing the algorithms and training our models. We are also quite proud of our data collection and labeling pipelines that allow us to have a dataset of images and 3D data about end-of-life batteries that, to the best of our knowledge, is unmatched in the industry.
What motivated you to join R3 Robotics?
Theo: First of all, the mission is just 10 out of 10 - automating the "3D" - Dull, Dangerous and Dirty, at the same time helping to solve the climate change at scale - and all of that with smart Robots! I started working with CLI as a consultant first, but after one month I was convinced that this team is committed like no other, and the founders really know their business.
Compared to many other hardware startups that I know, R3 Robotics operates in a much leaner way, meaning that we will not close as soon as there is a next financial downturn. And as mentioned above, solving Perception is crucial to make the product work - and I love hard challenges that unlock the real impact.
Cheers for sharing, Theo. Let's boost some battery value!
You'd like to join the revolut-ion as well? Find more information and open positions here.
Say hello to Khachatur, a passionate engineer who's been on an exciting journey in the world of electrical engineering. Having completed his PhD in Engineering at the University of Luxembourg, Khachatur is all about pushing the boundaries of technology. His main gig initially? Figuring out how to seamlessly integrate battery energy storage systems into power grids.
Before diving into his doctoral studies, he spent nearly four years as an electrical engineer, gaining hands-on experience across various industries. He was the go-to guy for building and testing custom electrical systems, always on the lookout for new ways to solve tricky problems.
What’s your role at Circu Li-ion?
Khachatur: I am a Cell and ESS Engineer at Circu Li-ion. Currently, my main focus is the diagnostics and discharging of batteries and battery energy storage system development. I am taking care of the development of our micromobility battery pack diagnostics and discharging machine that will help increase the number of upcycled batteries and increase the safety of the operation. Also, I am leading the development of our battery energy storage system made of second-life cells and modules that we automatically extract from end-of-life batteries.
What motivated you to join Circu Li-ion?
Khachatur: First of all, the vision of battery and cell upcycling and the ambitions of the company attracted me. Second, I like being hands-on and solving problems. So, the upcoming challenges associated with the big vision of the company made me curious to find solutions and solve them. The decision to join a startup was natural to me as I have worked both in big traditional companies and small startups and I knew that startups move faster and are more fun.
Thans for sharing, Khachatur. Looking forward to the journey ahead!
You’d like to join the revolut-ion as well?
Find more information and open positions here.
