Ep. 38: Human-Robotic Augmentation to Bridge Digital and Physical World, Reigniting Pride in Skilled Construction Work & Building A New City w/ The Circular Factory CEO Alicia Nahmad

Feb 28, 2023

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ANECDOTE

Robotics to Augment Skilled Workers

Alicia Nahmad witnessed skilled tradespeople follow complex shapes but struggled to communicate precise instructions efficiently.
She realized augmenting workers with robots to translate digital designs to physical tasks could revolutionize construction.

INSIGHT

Regulations Hinder Housing Innovation

Housing affordability issues link more to regulatory and policy hurdles than construction technology or capacity.
Lengthy permitting and outdated building codes hinder innovation and contribute to supply constraints.

ADVICE

Incremental Tech Adoption Strategy

Introduce technology incrementally by augmenting contractors with robotic tools, not by overhauling processes.
Rent robotic tools as familiar equipment to ease adoption and bypass complex regulatory hurdles.

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Alicia Nahmad is a born entrepreneur, starting in the construction industry before doing her PhD. Now with The Circular Factory, she is translating advanced technology into real-world progress in the built environment.

The Circular Factory is a kaleidoscopic and ambitious startup that aims to fix the construction industry through on-site construction mini-factories with software-driven robotic arms, 3D printing and sourcing local material and labor.

Alicia talks to Niklas about how the construction industry has turned from a proud profession of highly skilled craftspeople into an old-fashioned industry that lost its reputation and missing on advances in the digital world.

Construction has lots of problems, from a prevalent waterfall model of construction leading to cost overruns and time delays, lack of skilled talent, lengthy permitting, and regulations that make introducing technology harder.

Alicia is set out to disrupt this industry with The Circular Factory. The first near-shoring mini-factory is based on the Caribbean island of Roatan, in the modern charter city of Prospera, where Niklas and Alicia will be neighbors.

We talk about how having an audacious goal such as building a new city that creates shared prosperity can be a catalyst for change by invigorating an entrepreneurial spirit and community, as well attract a local labor pool for upskilling.

The Circular Factory will open in mid-2023, and Infinita VC will soon announce a conference to invite builders, architects, and entrepreneurs to visit Prospera, celebrate the soft opening, and help us build a modern city.

Follow Infinita VC to stay tuned: https://linktr.ee/infinitavc

If you are an entrepreneur and seek a community of techno-optimists, join us for upcoming conferences in Prospera, the startup city:

Supercharging Health 2023 - A Próspera Builders’ Summit, April 21-23 on Roatan.

Decentralizing Finance 2023 - A Próspera Builders’ Summit, May 5-7 on Roatan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com