#239 – Hiten Sonpal | RISE Robotics – A Better Alternative to Hydraulics & Building an Industrial Technology Company

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

Hiten Sonpal is the CEO of RISE® Robotics, an industrial technology company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, specializing in sustainable motion control solutions for heavy machinery.

He discusses the innovative technology behind their electric actuation system, Beltdraulic™, which offers significant advantages over traditional hydraulic systems. He also shares insights into the commercialization journey of their products, the importance of leadership in navigating organizational priorities, and the balance between having a clear vision and adapting to uncertainty in business. Hiten emphasizes the value of proving their technology's effectiveness to potential customers and the growing demand for electrification and autonomy in robotics.

Links:

• Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/hitensonpal
• Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home\
• linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck/
• https://www.riserobotics.com/
• https://wefunder.com/riserobotics

Takeaways

• Beltdraulic™ technology is more efficient than hydraulics.
• The actuator is three times as fast and 80% lighter than hydraulics.
• Commercialization involves cutting scope and focusing on key products.
• Leadership requires articulating what not to do to increase speed.
• The market demand for electrification is growing due to legislation.
• Proving value to customers is essential for adoption.
• The technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing systems.

• Energy efficiency and cost reduction are key benefits of their technology.

Bio:

Hiten Sonpal is the CEO of RISE® Robotics, bringing over two decades of experience in robotics, automation, and product innovation. He contributed to generating $2B+ in revenue and shipping 9M+ units at iRobot, scaled deployments 3x at Electric Sheep Robotics, and launched SaaS and hardware products at Robin. As an advisor to Graze Robotics and Main Street Autonomy, Hiten continues to shape the future of technology and automation.

With a BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Evansville and an ongoing MS in Computer Science at Georgia Tech (‘28), Hiten is passionate about revolutionizing industrial machinery. At RISE, he is leading efforts to replace traditional hydraulics with sustainable, high-efficiency belt technology while fostering a culture of innovation and impact.

About RISE:

RISE® Robotics is an industrial technology company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, specializing in sustainable motion control solutions for heavy machinery. Founded in 2011 by graduates of MIT and RISD, RISE has developed the patented Beltdraulic™ system, a fluid-free alternative to traditional hydraulics. This innovative technology uses lightweight, steel-reinforced belts to deliver high-efficiency performance, reducing machine weight, lowering operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact.

RISE is increasing machine productivity while supporting global sustainability goals. Backed by The Engine, Greentown Labs, and Techstars, RISE is redefining what’s possible in industrial motion control.

Building Better

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck is focused on the people, products, and companies that are creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. This show was previously called the Future of Mobility podcast.

I aim to have real, human conversations to explore what these leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. If you care about making an impact then this show might be for you.

Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, impact, leadership, and more.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.