At Bloomberg Tech London 2024, Roman Hölzl, Co-Founder and CEO of RobCo, and Luciana Lixandru, Partner at Sequoia, sat down with Bloomberg’s Mark Bergen to explore the rapid evolution from generative AI to commercial robotics. The discussion touched on the challenges and opportunities of scaling AI beyond just software, focusing on robotics and its potential to revolutionize industries.
The conversation opened with Lixandru reflecting on Sequoia’s investment strategy, particularly when it comes to hardware companies like RobCo.
“Building hardware companies is really, really hard,” she stated. “I always say it’s ten times harder, and you need a ten times better team.” Lixandru pointed out that the decision to invest in RobCo wasn’t just about the technology; it was about the team behind it. “What struck me about Roman and his co-founders was their deep love for robotics paired with a sharp focus on operational efficiency and solving real customer problems.”
Hölzl, whose company RobCo focuses on automating manufacturing processes, described how quickly the field of robotics is advancing.
“We’ve moved from stage one in robotics to stage three in just a few years,” he said. “In the past, robots were pre-programmed to do simple tasks, but today we’re seeing much more autonomy. This shift is driven by AI, and we’re proud to be designing the future of robotics right here in Munich.”
Lixandru acknowledged the growing importance of AI across sectors, emphasizing that Sequoia is keen on identifying companies that are truly
“AI-native.” She explained, “If a company didn’t have a reason to exist before large language models, then it’s AI-native. We look for companies whose products are fundamentally better thanks to AI — where the customer experience is completely transformed by this technology.”
Hölzl expanded on the practical applications of robotics, citing a specific use case: “One of our biggest clients manufactures hearing aids, and there’s a massive supply constraint due to the complexities of production. Our autonomous robots run through the night and on weekends, significantly boosting productivity. This means more hearing aids for people who need them.”
When asked about how AI and robotics fit into broader economic and societal challenges, Hölzl noted that labor shortages and supply chain disruptions are two major drivers for automation.
“Labour shortages are one of the most pressing issues of our time,” he said. “We’re helping companies automate tedious tasks, so they can meet production demands without being held back by workforce limitations.”
Both speakers were optimistic about Europe’s role in the global AI and robotics landscape. Lixandru remarked, “Germany has some of the best engineering universities in the world, and the talent coming out of these institutions is exceptional. I truly believe Europe will be home to the next global robotics leader.”
As the conversation drew to a close, Hölzl reiterated RobCo’s ambitious vision.
“We want to build the category-leading robotics company for the Western world,” he said. “Robots aren’t just for large corporations anymore — they’re for every manufacturer looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.”
The session ended with a strong sense of how AI and robotics are moving from hype to reality, and how companies like RobCo are at the forefront of this transformation. Both Lixandru and Hölzl underscored that the future of AI isn’t just about generative models — it’s about creating tangible solutions that address critical challenges in manufacturing and beyond.
