Autonomous

Jaksot

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  The Physical World Can’t Move at AI Speed | Peri Muttath (SouthUp) 10.09.2026 51min

  What happens when AI allows a small team to build in months what once took years, but the product still has to exist in the physical world?I’ve been trying to get Peri Muttath into the studio for almost a year. Every time I was in Israel, he seemed to be somewhere else. Every time he was available, I was abroad. We finally made it happen.Peri has watched the technology industry evolve from many different seats. After years working across Israel’s innovation ecosystem, including the Israel Innovation Authority, he chose his next chapter at SouthUp: helping build new technology companies in the area near the Gaza border and contributing to the next generation of Physical AI and defense tech coming from there.Our conversation went much further than startups.We talked about why geography still matters when building physical technology, what the Russia-Ukraine war changed in the way defense technology develops, and how different this moment feels from the 1990s, when sometimes Hollywood seemed to imagine future technology faster than industry could build it.We talked about humanoid robots entering our homes and others entering our workplaces. About which jobs machines may actually take. About AI giving small companies an opportunity to challenge incumbents with resources they could never have matched before.But there is a catch.Software can be updated tonight. A robot deployed thousands of kilometers away cannot.Hardware still needs to be manufactured, shipped, tested, maintained and eventually replaced. And as everything around it accelerates, that physical reality may become one of the biggest challenges and opportunities, of the Physical AI era.A conversation about technology, geography, robots, war, entrepreneurship and why this might be one of the most interesting moments in decades to build something physical.
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  Can the World Copy Ukraine’s Defense Innovation Model? | Artem Moroz (BRAVE1) 30.08.2026 1t

  What happens when technology doesn’t have years to find its market, but needs to prove itself in the field now?In this episode of Autonomous, I sit down with Artem Moroz from BRAVE1 to talk about the Ukrainian defense-tech ecosystem and the unusual relationship it has created between founders, government, investors and the people actually using the technology.Artem’s journey into this world is just as interesting. Coming from the hospitality industry, he chose to stay in Ukraine and use his network and experience to help Ukrainian companies find capital, partners and opportunities to grow internationally.We talk about how technology moves from an idea to the field, whether “battle-tested” is becoming an overused term, what investors still misunderstand about Ukrainian defense companies, and whether Europe and the U.S. could ever reproduce Ukraine’s speed and feedback loops without the pressure of war.We also look further ahead: What happens to this ecosystem when the war eventually ends? Are we building great companies or great wartime solutions? And which parts of the Ukrainian model can the rest of the world actually learn from?A conversation about technology, capital, culture, resilience, and what can happen when an ecosystem becomes aligned around one very clear purpose.
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  Why Big Organizations Struggle to Innovate | Naor Caspi (Fresh Fund) 10.08.2026 1t 3min

  In this episode, I sit down with Naor Caspi from Fresh Fund to talk about a career spent moving between government, large corporations, startups, and venture capital — and what each side gets wrong about innovation.We discuss what it actually takes to build an innovation team inside a large organization, and how you get companies that have become slower over time to work with startups and new technologies.For Naor, innovation isn’t about running an accelerator or collecting interesting technologies. It needs to create value: generate new revenue, reduce costs, improve existing operations, or help an organization move faster.We also get into the transition from government to the private sector, what October 7 changed in his thinking about technology and adoption, and how those lessons now influence the companies he works with and invests in.In this episode:What government taught Naor that he brought into the private sectorHow to build an innovation team inside a large organizationThe three things you cannot lead innovation withoutWhy large companies struggle to adopt startup technologyHow innovation should connect to revenue, cost savings, and speedWhat October 7 changed about the way technologies reach end usersWhere technical diligence belongs in early-stage investingWhether AI can actually replace parts of an analyst’s jobWhat Naor looks for when evaluating early-stage defense technologyA conversation about what happens when innovation has to move beyond presentations and actually work inside organizations.
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  Where Capital Is Moving in Defense & Physical AI | 100 Conversations Later 17.07.2026 27min

  Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to meet more than 100 founders, investors, operators, researchers and government organizations working on the next generation of defense, robotics and Physical AI.This episode is different.Instead of interviewing another guest, I step back to reflect on the patterns that kept appearing across those conversations.We discuss:• Where capital is moving in defense and Physical AI• What investors are actually buying• Why operational learning is becoming a competitive advantage• Cost-per-kill and the changing economics of modern defense• Why geography, supply chains and access to experimentation matter more than ever• The questions I now ask every founder and every technologyThese aren't predictions.They're observations from a year spent in the field.Whether you're building a company, investing in emerging technology, or trying to understand where this industry is heading, I hope this episode helps you ask better questions.
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  Episode 21 | From Toy to Threat: Audelia Boker on Counter-Drone Defense & World Cup Security 01.07.2026 1t

  In this episode of Autonomous, I sat down with Audelia Boker from Sentrycs, an Ondas Holding company to discuss a journey that spans continents, cultures, and one of the fastest-growing security challenges in the world.After making Aliyah to Israel, Audelia had to adapt to a completely new culture, language, and business environment, eventually finding herself in one of the most dynamic industries in the country: defense.Today, she operates at the intersection of autonomy, security, and counter-drone defense at a time when drones have evolved from hobbyist tools into real strategic threats.From war zones to critical infrastructure, and now to global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the need to detect, identify, and neutralize unauthorized drones has become a major security priority.In this conversation, we discuss:Audelia’s personal journey to Israel and adapting to a new cultureBreaking into Israel’s defense ecosystemHow drones evolved from toys into national security threatsWhy counter-drone systems are becoming critical worldwideThe security challenges behind protecting global events like the World CupThe future of autonomous security systemsThis conversation goes beyond counter-drone technology. It’s about adaptation, resilience, and understanding how autonomy is reshaping the global security landscape.
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  Episode 20 | After the Missile Strike - Israel Vaserlauf on Resilience & Rebuilding 12.06.2026 50min

  What happens when a founder spends 20 years building a company and, in a single night, an Iranian missile destroys the facility he built with his own hands?In this episode of Autonomous, I sat down with Israel Vaserlauf, Founder and CEO of Aerosol and the force behind the AeroSentinel drone platform. We discuss his journey from building model aircraft as a teenager to creating one of Israel's leading ISR drone companies, developing military-grade drones designed for endurance, low acoustic signature, and operational effectiveness. But this conversation became about something much bigger than drones.Just days after bringing in new strategic partners and securing the next chapter of growth for the company, an Iranian missile struck Aerosol's facility during Passover evening. Machinery, production equipment, and decades of work were destroyed. Yet by the next morning, the team was already salvaging what they could and planning the company's future. Rather than seeing the event as an ending, Israel saw it as a restart button.We talk about:Building a drone company in Israel from the ground upCompeting against Chinese drone manufacturersWhy ISR remains the company's core focusThe importance of domestic manufacturing and technological independenceLessons learned from military operators over the past decadeThe realities of entrepreneurship during wartimeTurning disaster into an opportunity to refocus and growAfter seeing twenty years of work reduced to rubble, Israel's first thought was not about what had been lost, but about what the company would become next. Listen now to hear the story behind one of Israel's most determined drone entrepreneurs.
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  Episode 19 | The Future of Air Mobility in California with Josh Metz 03.06.2026 46min

  In this episode, I sit down with Josh Metz, Executive Director and co-founder of the Monterey Bay DART Initiative, one of the organizations helping shape the future of advanced air mobility, autonomous systems, and regional innovation in the United States.Josh has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of economic development, public policy, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. His work has helped build the ecosystem around companies like Joby Aviation while creating pathways for new technologies to move from concept to real-world deployment.Our conversation goes beyond aircraft and drones.We discuss how regions build innovation ecosystems, why some communities become magnets for talent and investment while others struggle, and what it takes to create an environment where entrepreneurs, governments, universities, and industry can work together.Topics we covered:The story behind the Monterey Bay DART InitiativeHow regions can attract and retain emerging technology companiesThe evolution of Advanced Air Mobility and autonomous aviationLessons learned from supporting the growth of Joby AviationWhy infrastructure and ecosystem-building matter as much as technology itselfThe role of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovationCreating career pathways for the next generation of engineers and operatorsThe challenges of moving new technologies from demonstrations to daily operationsHow the U.S. is positioning itself in the global race for autonomy and advanced transportationThis episode is not just about drones or aircraft.It's about the people and organizations working behind the scenes to create the conditions that allow innovation to thrive, scale, and eventually change how we move, work, and connect.🎧 Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, policy, infrastructure, and the communities that make progress possible.
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  Episode 18 | How VCs Evaluate Deep Tech Startups — Gili Elkin (ICI) 18.05.2026 50min

  What does it actually take to raise a VC fund from scratch with no network, no track record and everyone telling you it won’t work?In this episode of the Autonomous Podcast, I sat down with Gili Elkin, Managing Partner of ICI Fund, to discuss the mindset behind building both companies and venture funds in deep tech.From growing up between Israel and the U.S., to raising her first fund in Colorado through pure resilience, community building and hundreds of conversations. Gili shares what investors actually look for in founders, why “first check” investing is all about people, and why entrepreneurs should stop waiting for the “perfect moment” before reaching out.We also go deep into:The cultural gap between Israeli founders and American investorsWhy storytelling matters as much as technologyHow ICI evaluates deeptech companies before investingAI infrastructure, space, data centers and the future of hard-tech investingWhy the strongest founders are usually the ones who simply never stopOne line from the episode that stayed with me:“It’s never too early to come to us.” For founders, investors and operators building in autonomy, robotics, defense, AI infrastructure and deep technologies, this one is worth the listen.
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  Episode 17 | Apple, SpaceX & Swarm Robotics — Moshe Baum (Wild West Systems) 26.04.2026 44min

  In this episode, I sit down with Moshe Baum, Mechanical engineer, drone pilot, and co-founder of Wild West Systems.Moshe’s path moves through very different environments: from working on the NAMER platform during his service in the IDF, to engineering roles in companies like Apple and SpaceX, and now building his own systems in Texas.What made this conversation interesting is not just the experience, but the overlap between worlds that usually don’t speak the same language.We talk about the connection between IDF methodologies, where systems are built for real use under pressure and the principles behind companies like Apple and SpaceX, where design, iteration, and execution are pushed to a different level.Topics we covered:The difference between building systems that have to work in the field vs. systems built in controlled environmentsWhat Moshe took from Apple’s precision and SpaceX’s speed, and how those approaches translate into robotics todayThe gap between how autonomy is presented and what is actually possible in real-world scenariosSwarm systems, what is working today, and where the limitations still areWhy proximity to real environments matters when developing hardware and autonomous systemsThe role of human control vs. autonomy in mission-critical operationsLessons from moving between Israel and the U.S. when it comes to building and deploying systemsThis is a conversation about how different disciplines — military, engineering, and product thinking — come together when you’re building systems that are meant to operate in the real world.
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  Episode 16 | From Gaming to Battlefield Robotics — Rubi Liani (XTEND) 15.04.2026 1t 5min

  In Episode 16, we sit down with Rubi Liani, co-founder of XTEND, and go deeper into the path that led him there.It starts far from what you might expect - flying RC planes as a kid, building intuition through curiosity, not a defined plan. From there, moving into the Navy and stepping into an environment shaped by responsibility, structure, and real decision-making under pressure.What followed wasn’t a straight line. Together with Aviv Shapira, through the Israel Drone Racing League (FRIL), Rubi entered the world of gaming, building a company in a space where others, with more experience and resources, had already tried to solve similar problems.Over time, that journey evolved into what we know today as XTEND.In this conversation, we talk about:how early decisions shape long-term directionchoosing the right people and building trustoperating with limited resources while still moving forwardand how seemingly unrelated experiences connect over timeWe also dive into how that background led to rethinking how drone pilots are trained and not just building systems, but building capability.This is not a story about a “perfect path.”It’s about how different chapters come together, and only make sense in hindsight.If you’re building, investing, or operating in defense tech, there’s a lot to take from this one.
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  Episode 15 | Drone-in-a-Box at Scale - Ariel Avitan (Percepto) 09.04.2026 44min

  In this episode, I sit down with Ariel Avitan, co-founder of Percepto; one of the companies quietly leading the adoption of autonomous drone systems across infrastructure in the United States.Percepto didn’t just build a drone.They built the full system - The box, the drone, the firmware, and the application, all designed to operate in real environments, weather, congested airspace and beyond line of sight.We talk about what it takes to move from technology to deployment, and why some of the most important work in autonomy today is happening far from the spotlight - in energy sites, utilities, and industrial facilities.Ariel shares his perspective on:Building a full-stack autonomous system, end-to-endWorking closely with regulators and being part of the FAA unmanned vehicles ecosystemWhy infrastructure became the right entry point for autonomyThe gap between building a product and operating it in the fieldWhat changes when founders relocate and stay close to their customersThis is a conversation about execution, proximity, and building systems that are meant to run without you there.
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  Episode 14 | Why Defense Startups Need Field Validation Early - Yahel Efroni (Givon Defense) 26.03.2026 51min

  In this episode, I sit down with Yahel Efroni to talk about what it means to build technology in a reality where roles constantly shift and how does the ecosystem have evolved with new faces that 2 years ago were not looking towards Defense innovation but have realized thier dedication today is for the future of their children.We discuss how that dual experience shapes the way early-stage companies are built in Israel today, and how it influences the type of solutions being developed across defense, medical care, physical AI, and logistics.We also go into how Givon Ventures approaches early-stage teams, not just from an investment perspective, but from close involvement in the field, understanding what actually works under real conditions.In this episode we cover:- The dual reality of building companies while serving in parallel roles- How real-world constraints shape early-stage product decisions- Why getting to the field early matters more than perfecting in the lab- How Givon Ventures works with founders from three different generations- The challenge and opportunities that exist from venture capitalists living in conflict zones.This is a conversation about people, responsibility, and building systems that are meant to operate in real environments.This episode is In memory of Or Joseph Ran Z״L
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  Episode 13 | Why Israel Leads in Defense Innovation - Elinor Yakobson 11.03.2026 1t 14min

  In this episode, we sit down with Elinor Yakobson, a specialist in defense tech, dual-use innovation, cyber, and homeland security, for a candid conversation on what it really means to lead in one of the world's most demanding industries.In this conversation, we explore:- What it's like to be a woman in a field where women are rarely in the room- Israel's high-tech defense ecosystem - home to over 1,200 companies, roughly 600 in cyber and 600 in military, homeland security, and related fields with a significant concentration in drones and UAVs- What it takes to bridge government, venture capital, and startups in high-impact fields- Translating national security priorities into actionable innovation strategies- Building policy frameworks and public-private partnerships that actually move the needle- Where dual-use technology is heading and who gets to shape that futureThis episode is not about surviving in Men's world.It's about redefining it.
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  What Makes a Defense Startup Investable? | Aaron Applbaum (Kinetica) 25.02.2026 59min

  In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Appelbaum, Partner at Kinetica VC, for a thoughtful conversation on defense tech, investing, and long-term responsibility.In this conversation, we explore:Growing up in a home shaped by investing, policy, and global securityWhy Aaron was drawn early to international relations and decision-makingChoosing Israel as a home base for building and backing defense technologyHow defense tech investing compares to cyber and traditional softwareWhy timelines, risk, and accountability look different in defense venturesWhat early-stage founders often underestimate in the defense ecosystemHow dual-use technologies move from national needs to global marketsWhere Aaron sees Israeli defense startups positioned globally over the next few yearsThis episode is not about headlines or hype.it’s about judgment, patience, and building technologies that matter.
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  Building Israel's Next Generation of Founders | Ike Bodner (The Sandbox) 18.02.2026 1t 11min

  In this episode, Shay Senior sits down with Ike Bodner for a deeply personal conversation about identity, responsibility, and building in the hardest moments.Ike moved to Israel in 2009, served in the Israeli Air Force at Nevatim Air Base as an F-35 engine mechanic, and later worked as a drone mechanic at Aeronautics. But this conversation goes far beyond résumés.We talk about Ike’s journey as an oleh to Jerusalem, his military service, and the personal impact of October 7th, a tragedy that reshaped his priorities and sense of mission.Out of that moment came action.Ike shares what led him to help establish the Sandbox — a physical space for early-stage defense startups to build, test, and move fast. Not as an accelerator, not as a pitch room, but as a place where ideas meet reality, tools, and people who understand urgency.We also talk about friendship, loss, and commitment. Ike puts his professional work on hold to honor the memory of David, his high school teammate and lifelong friend, through the ongoing operations of Soldiers Save Lives — turning grief into responsibility.This isn’t an episode about technology specs or fundraising rounds. It’s about what happens when building becomes personal and why, sometimes, the most important systems are human ones.
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  From the Moon to Drone Delivery | Yariv Bash (SpaceIL & Flytrex) 13.02.2026 40min

  Episode 10 - Yariv Bash | From the Moon to Your Front DoorWhat does it take to move an idea from imagination to real-world operation?In this episode, Shay Senior sits down with Yariv Bash, co-founder of SpaceIL and CEO of Flytrex, one of the first companies in the world approved to operate commercial drone deliveries to residential homes in the United States.Yariv shares the journey from helping lead Israel’s first private mission to the Moon, to building the infrastructure behind autonomous aerial delivery, working with both DoorDash and Uber Eats, navigating regulation, scale, and public trust.This conversation isn’t about specs or hype.It’s about how ideas are born, tested, and transformed when they meet reality.In this episode, we talk about:• What SpaceIL taught Yariv about ambition, failure, and resilience• Why Flytrex chose to build drone delivery step by step, in the real world• The challenges of operating autonomous systems at scale• How regulation, safety, and public perception shape innovation• Why big dreams don’t end, they evolveA thoughtful conversation about leadership, persistence, and building the future — one decision at a time.
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  The Next Wave of Defense Innovation | Lior Caspi (DEFENSE.TECH Expo) 04.02.2026 1t 6min

  This episode isn’t about building a product.It’s about how an industry becomes an industry.Lior Caspi has spent over 25 years in marketing and business development positions, at the intersection of:technologydefenseglobal audienceslive moments where ideas become movementsHe’s seen unmanned systems evolve from niche military demos to global platforms that shape policy, markets, and public perception.Ending the first podcast cycle with him is intentional:he connects technology, people, timing, and responsibility.
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  Can We Hear Drones Before We See Them? | Itay Nourian (Insignito) 22.01.2026 35min

  In this episode, Shay Senior speaks with Itay Nourian, co-founder of Insignito and former commander of the Israeli Air Force “Signatures” unit, where the foundations of drone acoustics were built for the defense establishment.They discuss how sound is measured, how it behaves in real environments, and why acoustics is still a largely unexplored field in modern defense. The conversation also dives into the gap between expensive detection systems and cheap drone threats, and why cost-effective solutions are becoming critical at scale.This episode offers a rare look into a field that operates quietly in the background, but plays a decisive role in counter-drone operations.🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why acoustics remains an underdeveloped but powerful tool in drone defenseHow low-cost drones create a need for low-cost, scalable solutionsThe challenges of detecting drones in real operational environmentsBuilding a defense startup where the market demand came firstFollow the podcast, share the episode with someone curious about defense innovation, and let us know who we should host next.
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  Navigating Without GPS | Roy Shmuel (Sightec) 11.01.2026 37min

  In this episode, Shay Senior sits down with Roy Shmuel, founder of Sightec, the new edge of computer vision in autonomous vehicles.They discuss how autonomous vehicles operate when gps signals and positioning can’t be trusted, why scaling autonomy is harder than most people expect, and how hard it is for investors and decision-makers to tell the difference between promising ideas and technologies that are ready for real use.This is a grounded conversation about reality, academia as an important pillar in the advancement of defensetech and the future of drones in warfare.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why “working in the lab” doesn’t mean working in the real worldThe challenges of operating without reliable signals or infrastructureWhy it’s important to build redundancy instead of relying on a single navigation source.Follow the podcast, share the episode with someone curious about autonomy, and let us know who we should invite next.
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  What the Drone Industry Can Learn from Cybersecurity | Yaron Rosen (Airwayz & a16z Scout) 31.12.2025 54min

  In this episode, Shay Senior sits down with Yaron Rosen to examine a question the industry hasn’t fully answered yet:Who will manage the skies as autonomy scales and who actually owns that space?Drawing parallels to the cyber world of a decade ago, we explore how today’s unmanned and autonomous ecosystem is approaching a familiar inflection point. Back then, cyberspace grew faster than regulation, ownership, and governance. Today, the same tension is building in the air.This conversation looks beyond technology into responsibility, control, and the systems that will decide whether autonomy scales safely or collapses under its own complexity.