The Age of Cognitive Robots: How Do We Get There?

Brandon DeHart, Head of Robotics, Real Life Robotics

Brandon DeHart is a veteran in the Canadian robotics industry, with over two decades of experience designing, deploying, and integrating autonomous systems. With deep technical roots in legged mobility and mechatronic system integration, Brandon has spent his professional career bridging the gap between advanced research and real-world applications in the field of robotics.

His diverse industrial experience ranges from the prototyping team at Blackberry, through leading the technical team at an experimental architecture studio, to his current role as the Head of Robotics at Real Life Robotics (RLR): a Waterloo-based startup pioneering the deployment of autonomous delivery robots and other service robots in public spaces via a proprietary platform that enables centralized control and analysis of diverse robotic systems. At RLR, Brandon leads the company’s robotics architecture, deployment strategy, and technical roadmap, bringing together drones, ground vehicles, and service robots in complex urban and commercial environments.

In addition to working with RLR, Brandon runs the RoboHub at the University of Waterloo, with one of Canada’s most advanced robotics facilities and a globally unique fleet of robots, where he also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His academic work has focused on balance and gait for legged systems, interactive embedded systems, and human-centered robotics. He has advised numerous robotics and robotics-adjacent startups and continues to contribute to Canada’s robotics ecosystem through mentorship, strategic partnerships, and public sector collaborations.

Dave Grant CEO, Picnik.ai

Prior to being named CEO, Dave spearheaded PickNik’s sales and marketing team, driving company growth and solidifying PickNik's position as the industry leader in advanced robotics applications. His proven track record in scaling businesses includes notable successes such as Uplight, which achieved unicorn status with a billion-dollar valuation, and Smartabase, where he oversaw a fivefold growth. Dave brings this wealth of experience and strategic vision to his role as CEO, guiding PickNik towards continued innovation and market expansion. Outside of work, David is an avid skier who relishes the steep and deep runs at his favorite resort, Arapahoe Basin.

Jim Beretta

Jim Beretta is president at Customer Attraction, a Marketing Consulting company specializing in the automation and robotics industry. He is best known as the driving force behind marketing and branding for one of North America’s largest automation integrators, with over 20 years in the automation industry. He operates his marketing consultancy and works with Automation manufacturers, distributors, robot companies and the automation community around the world. Jim is a speaker and moderator at industry conferences and is an expert at marketing and branding. He is also a member of A3 Robotics.