In this engaging conversation, Bibhrajit Halder, founder of SafeAI, shares his journey from Calcutta to Silicon Valley, reflecting on his early education, career transitions, and the evolution of autonomy in heavy industries. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, customer discovery, and building high-performing teams to succeed in the startup landscape. Bibhrajit explains how AI has transformed autonomous vehicle systems, discusses the challenges in robotics adoption, and explores the vast opportunities within industrial automation. He also offers a forward-looking perspective on the potential rise of humanoid robots in mainstream applications. His insights deliver valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators in AI, robotics, and autonomy.   Takeaways Bibhrajit Halder's journey from Calcutta to Silicon Valley highlights the power of mentorship in shaping careers. His shift from mechanical engineering to autonomy was fueled by a deep passion for math and physics. Autonomy in heavy industries has been in production since 2014, debunking common myths. AI is transforming decision-making and perception systems in autonomous vehicles. Building a strong, visionary team is critical to the success of any startup. Customer discovery is essential to refine products and meet real market needs. The autonomous industry is vast, with significant applications in defense, mining, and heavy machinery. SafeAI’s mission is to modernize autonomy for heavy industries by leveraging cutting-edge AI. Robotics adoption faces high costs and automation challenges for complex, real-world tasks. The future of robotics could include widespread humanoid robots in consumer and industrial spaces.   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/ 📩Here is the LinkedIn profile of Bibhrajit Halder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bibhrajit/#:~:text=Premium%20for%20PHP0-,Bibhrajit%20Halder,-Founder%20at%20SafeAI