CEO at Talus Robotics
Ryan Benmalek
2x venture backed founder, AI PhD. Since starting college at 14, I've been obsessed with AI. After graduating with CS & Neuro (with lots of research), I did a PhD in Deep learning (Computer Vision & NLP) and research at top labs (MILA, AI2, Google Brain, Apple, etc.). I'm passionate about building machines of loving grace - human centered embodied AI.
Questions & Answers
Why are you excited about your company/product?
We're super excited about the opportunity to create life-changing technology that empowers the blind and visually impaired! The amazing positive feedback from our pilot partners shows just how much of an impact our solution can have. Plus, we're only getting started - our vision expands into elder care and emotional support. We're riding a wave - every breakthrough in AI and hardware brings us closer to a future where robotic companions are a game changer for millions.
What's the story behind your company?
Ever since I was a kid reading sci-fi, I've been fascinated by the idea of building a robotic companion. After our previous startup, my cofounder and I were set on working on robotics. When my PhD advisor suggested we look into the needs of the visually impaired, everything just clicked. We spent a month, at the library for the blind in NYC, chatting with hundreds of people (many of whom were elderly) and hearing stories that were both heartbreaking and inspiring. That experience lit a fire in us—not just to build robotic guide dogs to help the blind, but also to explore ways to tackle loneliness and improve elder care.
