Benedikt Seidel

Building models for physical world.
Robotics, ML and Startups

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

More than two months after my first blog post, I am sharing my second update:

A lot has happened. Too much to compress into one blog post. There are so many new papers, product releases, AI models, and political events constantly shaping our journeys. Founding itself is a constant evolution. It's your job to keep up with all of it, but you also need constants to orient yourself by.

For me, those constants are tech, innovation and the push towards an abundant, globally peaceful, but quickly evolving future.

Fostering competition by helping each other out is the paradox I stand for.

I figured if I am going to go through this many decisions, thoughts, and mistakes anyway, I might as well share them. From where I am right now, not in retrospect. Hopefully it helps someone. Or at the very least, it makes for a fun read.

https://t.co/ZDinSV7POL

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

Quick Update from my cold appearance where I didn’t get the email address:

After all the bank holidays, I went there again and got the email address and sent them all the requirements I needed from them (data formats and inputs/outputs).
Now I am curious to see:
1. How quickly I will get their data.
2. How detailed their requirements are, and how large is the pain of the manual work they described.

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@stash_pomichter Nice work!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

Sign up here:
https://t.co/a3em1kAAJz

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

We need more people building if we want more upside in Europe.

@DominiqueCAPaul and I want to demystify what it actually takes to build something. By showing how we and every Demo Night participant go from the first line of code that follows an idea all the way to a finished project or a real business, it becomes clear what works and what doesn’t.

If you want to be part of this and meet people who, like you, are just going for it, sign up here. https://t.co/Wwv6AwNtsI

A random side project, the latest paper, or the newest core feature you shipped, whatever it is, everyone here wants to see it and help you succeed (you might also win one of our prizes).

We’re thrilled to have PXR as our host and sponsor for the food afterwards. And if you’re weighing the legal side of turning your demo into a company, I know Daniel and the team are happy to help.

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@paletamz @DominiqueCAPaul The only way ;)

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@mountbranch @DominiqueCAPaul Next time then!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@phanosha @DominiqueCAPaul Thank you !

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@DominiqueCAPaul Just amazing 🤩

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@DominiqueCAPaul Not to mention that you can one shot drivers for cameras etc. in C++ or Rust now - insane how much time was spent on weird yamls and header files in combination with roslaunch 🤯

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@DominiqueCAPaul Yes I also had an amazing experience with letting claude set up my gcp configs via cli!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@lastonetocode You too let’s go!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

Yesterday I did four cold appearances at companies.
Maybe I should somehow record the interactions, but the reactions cover the full range. Here the notes:
1. Recycling Yard: I spoke to one of their organisers beforehand and was “in the area“ and asked to collect data. This was too dangerous due to an of machines overcrowded space. In turn they confirmed I would get the chance to do so and should set up a meeting.

2. Demolition (mostly indoors): They said they needed something else but pointed me at some other contract sources.

3. Demolition: Their office was their private house, and the wife opened the door as the office manager. She was very rude from the start and did not (want) get at all what I was doing - I ended the conversation early; gracefully.

4. Quarry: I got the foreman’s number from from the office manager there and after a call was asked to send an email - it sounded interesting to them.

4. Demolition and Earthworks: I had sent them an email before but didn’t recall as my visit was spontaneous. The office manager at this point said they liked the concept and would forward the mail to the CEO now, who should have a meeting with me.

A mixture of cold to lukewarm appearances resulted in two NOs and three emails sent for potential meetings. I am curious to see who comes through.

Showing up seems to help up to get your emails forwarded :D.

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@Zakariea_sh My agent will join you virtually!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@yacineMTB Poles balancing poles

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@rwik_rana @uddupa @amrl_ut Direct method for odometry ?

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@kalio_late Thanks - will share !

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@TechPostsEU Thank you so much Dave!

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@mark_collins09 A world model agent for real world spatial data.

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@mountbranch I mostly say: I am from a startup in Munich and we do X for your industry. With X being something in spatial data needed by them.

[Benedikt Seidel @ben_sdl]

@laraavci_ Yes 🙌🏽 looking forward to this!