This Ripple was all about real-world robotics—what’s working, what’s not, and where things might go next. Investors and experts shared honest thoughts on challenges in automation and the impact of new tech.

Some big takeaways:

- Getting robots out of factories and into everyday jobs needs fresh thinking and teamwork.

- Data, not just hardware or software, is a huge barrier and opportunity.

- Labor shortages push robotics forward, but big investments carry real risk.

- Making robots reliable and safe in workplaces is tough, especially outside controlled settings.

- There’s debate about whether “general” robots will replace task-specific bots.

- Scaling up, gathering real-world data, and smart business models matter more than just building cool machines.

Ripple’s attendees agreed: the future of robotics depends just as much on solving practical problems as on new inventions. The path ahead is a mix of creative ideas, careful investing, and learning from what’s already happening on the ground.