Your Best Career Decision of the Next 50 Years

Why Investing in Robotics Skills Will Be Your Best Career Decision of the Next 50 Years

The Secret Sauce of Tech Billionaires

Ever wonder what makes tech companies like Uber, Google, and Airbnb so successful? Well, there’s a guy named Evan Williams who has a philosophy on what it takes. You might not know his name, but you’ve definitely used his creations. He’s the billionaire co-founder of Twitter and Medium, and he’s got a pretty simple recipe for success in the tech world.

Here’s Williams’ secret sauce: identify basic human desires that have existed for a long time, then use modern technology to fulfill those desires more conveniently than ever before. That’s it.

At its core, his idea is simple yet profound. Williams argues that the Internet is “a giant machine designed to give people what they want.” The key to building successful tech companies, he suggests, is to remove steps from common activities, making them faster and cognitively easier for users.

Sounds simple, right? But this idea has made Williams and many others filthy rich. Making money in technology is all about providing speed and cognitive ease…don’t make me think, don’t make me wait.

Let’s break it down with some examples:

1. Google: Remember when finding information online meant clicking through a bunch of confusing directories? Google said, “Nah, just type what you want in this box.” Boom! Instant answers. Before Google, you’d spend ages navigating Yahoo! directories or trying to guess the right website URL. Now? You can find the capital of Uzbekistan in seconds.

2. Uber: Calling a cab used to be a pain. You’d stand on the street corner, arm raised, hoping to catch a driver’s attention. Or you’d call a dispatcher and pray they’d actually send someone. Uber made it as easy as tapping a button on your phone. No more waiting on hold or explaining where you are.

3. Airbnb: Booking a place to stay meant dealing with hotels and their prices. You’d have to call around, compare rates, and often settle for a cookie-cutter room. Airbnb lets you rent someone’s spare room or entire house with a few clicks. It opened up a whole new world of unique, often cheaper accommodations.

4. Amazon: Remember when shopping meant driving to the mall, fighting for parking, and hoping the store had what you wanted? Amazon brought the entire mall (and then some) to your fingertips. From books to electronics to groceries, it’s all just a click away.

5. Netflix: Back in the day, watching a movie meant driving to Blockbuster, hoping they had the film you wanted, and rushing to return it to avoid late fees. Netflix said, “How about we bring thousands of movies and shows right to your TV?” No more late fees, no more limited selection.

6. Spotify: Music lovers used to spend a fortune building CD collections or downloading individual songs. Spotify made virtually all the world’s music available for a small monthly fee. No more storage issues, no more buying albums for just one good song.

7. Instagram: Remember lugging around a camera, then waiting to develop film to share photos? Instagram made it possible to snap, edit, and share photos instantly. It turned everyone into a potential photographer and created a whole new way of visual communication.

8. LinkedIn: Networking used to mean attending stuffy events and exchanging business cards. LinkedIn brought professional networking online, making it easier to connect with colleagues, find jobs, and showcase your skills.

9. Zoom: Before Zoom, video conferencing was often a clunky, unreliable experience reserved for big corporations. Zoom made it so easy that grandparents could use it. It’s changed how we work, learn, and stay in touch with loved ones.

10. DoorDash: Remember when getting food delivered meant being limited to pizza or Chinese? DoorDash and similar apps brought virtually every restaurant to your doorstep. No more limited options or dealing with grumpy restaurant staff over the phone.

See the pattern? These companies all took something people were already doing and made it way faster and easier. Williams calls this “removing cognitive overhead.” In plain English, that means making things so simple that you don’t have to think about them.

I saw firsthand as the Chief Financial Officer of 21212 Digital Accelerator, the first tech startup accelerator in Brazil, how the most successful companies in our portfolio made a lot of money just by removing steps from what people were already doing.

Now, you might be wondering, “What does this have to do with robotics?”

As we’ve seen, Evan Williams’ philosophy of simplifying existing processes has led to remarkable innovations in the digital realm, but this same principle could apply to robotics, potentially transforming our physical world in similar ways.

The Case for Robotics

Applying Williams’ Principle to Robotics

The core idea of simplifying existing processes will be powerful in robotics:

1. Reducing Complexity: Just as Google simplified information retrieval, robots will simplify complex physical tasks.

2. Increasing Accessibility: Similar to how Uber made transportation more accessible, robots will make certain services or capabilities more widely available.

3. Enhancing Efficiency: In the same way that Amazon streamlined shopping, robots will streamline various industrial and domestic processes.

Fulfilling Age-Old Human Desires

Robots (humanoids in particular) will eventually satisfy numerous long-standing human desires:

Assistance: Humans have always sought help with tasks, from manual labor to cognitive work.
Safety: People have consistently sought ways to perform dangerous tasks without risking human lives.
Efficiency: Who doesn’t want to accomplish more in less time?

Roboticists will play an important role translating these desires into reality through advanced programming and AI integration.

Removing Steps and Cognitive Load

Just as Uber removed steps from the process of getting a ride, humanoid robots programmed by skilled software engineers will simplify countless aspects of daily life:

Home management: Robots will eventually handle cleaning, cooking, and organizing without the need for human intervention.
Eldercare: Humanoids will provide round-the-clock assistance to the elderly, reducing the cognitive and physical burden on human caregivers.
Industrial work: Complex manufacturing processes will be streamlined, with robots handling intricate tasks that currently require extensive human training and concentration.

Investment and Market Trends

The robotics industry is attracting significant investment:

Major tech companies like Tesla and Amazon are investing in robotics research and development.
Startups focused on specific robotics applications (e.g. humanoids) are securing substantial funding…sometimes in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Government and academic institutions are also contributing to robotics research.

However, it’s important to approach market projections with caution, as the path from research to widespread commercial application can be long and uncertain.

Skills for the Future

Robotics will drive massive productivity gains across industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. Software engineers who can program these robots will be instrumental in unlocking trillions of dollars in economic value.

As robots become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, the need for skilled professionals who can design, program, and maintain these systems will skyrocket. While many jobs may be at risk of automation, robotics software engineers will be the architects of this automated future, making their skills not just valuable, but essential.

In essence, robotics engineering embodies Williams’ philosophy of tech success. It has the potential to remove steps from countless processes, increase speed, reduce cognitive load, and fulfill long-standing human desires.

As we’ve seen with Google, Airbnb, and Uber, those who can harness these principles to create user-friendly, transformative technologies often end up leading billion-dollar companies.

So, if you’re considering your career options or looking to pivot into a field with immense potential, robotics should be at the top of your list. By investing in these skills now, you’re not just preparing for the job market of tomorrow – you’re positioning yourself to be at the forefront of a technological revolution that will shape the next 50 years and beyond.

For those passionate about technology and problem-solving, robotics offers an exciting career path with the potential to make significant impacts across various sectors over the next 50 years and beyond. As with any emerging technology, the key is to stay informed, continuously learn, and be prepared to adapt as the field evolves.

The robots are coming. The question is: will you be the one programming them?

That’s it. Keep building!

How to Succeed in Technology: The 10,000 Experiment Rule

Introduction

In a world obsessed with mastery and success, the 10,000-hour rule has long been heralded as the golden standard for achieving expertise in any field. Popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers,” this rule suggests that with 10,000 hours of dedicated practice, anyone can master a skill. However, in the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of technology, a new paradigm is emerging as a more effective blueprint for innovation and success: the 10,000-experiment rule.

Introduced by Michael Simmons in his thought-provoking article on Medium, “Forget The 10,000-Hour Rule; Edison, Bezos, & Zuckerberg Follow The 10,000-Experiment Rule,” this new rule shifts the focus from the quantity of time spent practicing to the number of experiments conducted. This approach champions experimentation, quick learning, and the ability to adapt and pivot as the cornerstones of technological innovation and personal growth. Through this lens, the stories of Thomas Edison’s relentless experimentation, Jeff Bezos’s innovative leadership at Amazon, and Mark Zuckerberg’s rapid iteration at Facebook take on new significance. They exemplify how embracing a culture of experimentation can lead to unprecedented achievements.

As we dive deeper into the essence of the 10,000-experiment rule, we will explore its foundations, its scientific backing, and its application across various domains of technology, with a special focus on robotics. By understanding and applying this rule, individuals and organizations alike can unlock new pathways to innovation and success in the technological realm.

The Evolution from Hours to Experiments

The traditional 10,000-hour rule, while a useful guideline for developing skill through practice, presents a linear approach to mastery that overlooks the complex, non-linear nature of innovation. In contrast, the 10,000-experiment rule represents a paradigm shift, focusing on the iterative process of trial, error, and learning. This approach is particularly resonant in the field of technology, where rapid advancements and unpredictable challenges require a more flexible and adaptive mindset.

In his 2018 CNBC interview, Bezos articulated the essence of this experimental approach:

To be innovative you have to experiment. If you want to have more inventions, you need to do more experiments per week per month per year per decade. It’s that simple. You cannot invent without experimenting. And here’s the other thing about experiments…lots of them fail. If you know it’s going to work in advance it is not an experiment.
Jeff Bezos

Also, keep in mind that when you experiment, you have to be prepared for many failures. Bezos mentions this in his 2016 Annual Letter to Shareholders:

To invent you have to experiment, and if you know in advance that it’s going to work, it’s not an experiment. Most large organizations embrace the idea of invention, but are not willing to suffer the string of failed experiments necessary to get there. Outsized returns often come from betting against conventional wisdom, and conventional wisdom is usually right. Given a ten percent chance of a 100 times payoff, you should take that bet every time. But you’re still going to be wrong nine times out of ten.
Jeff Bezos

Bezos’s emphasis on experimentation as a core strategy highlights the critical role that embracing failure and learning plays in driving innovation. Under his leadership, Amazon has become a prime example of how a culture of experimentation can lead to groundbreaking innovations, from AWS to Alexa.

Thomas Edison, often hailed as one of the greatest inventors in history, exemplifies the 10,000-experiment rule long before it was formally articulated. Edison’s approach to invention was fundamentally experimental, famously remarking, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His work on the electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera, among countless other inventions, showcases the power of persistence and the willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

The shift from hours to experiments encourages a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and openness to failure. It suggests that success in technology and innovation is not merely a function of time spent, but rather the quality and quantity of experiments conducted. This approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, essential qualities in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

By embracing the 10,000-experiment rule, individuals and organizations can unlock a more dynamic and effective pathway to innovation. This rule champions the idea that through a systematic approach to experimentation, one can navigate the complexities of technology and emerge with novel solutions and breakthroughs.

Scientific Backing: The Meta-Analysis of Deliberate Practice

The limitations of the 10,000-hour rule are further illuminated by a comprehensive meta-analysis on deliberate practice and performance across various domains, including music, games, sports, education, and professions. This study, which examined the effects of deliberate practice on performance, found that while practice is undoubtedly important, its overall contribution to performance varies significantly across disciplines.

In domains where performance is highly predictable and structured, such as classical music and chess, deliberate practice accounted for a substantial portion of variance in performance. However, in less structured and more dynamic fields, such as technology and entrepreneurship, the impact of deliberate practice was notably smaller:

“We found that deliberate practice explained 26% of the variance in performance for games, 21% for music, 18% for sports, 4% for education, and less than 1% for professions.”

This finding suggests that while honing specific skills is important, the ability to innovate, adapt, and experiment plays a crucial role in achieving success in these fields.

The implications of this research underscore the value of the 10,000-experiment rule. In the realm of technology, where the landscape is characterized by rapid change and uncertainty, the capacity to learn from experiments—not just from repeated practice—is paramount. This approach aligns with the idea that success in technology hinges on the ability to navigate ambiguity, test hypotheses, and pivot based on feedback and outcomes.

Case Studies of Success Through Experimentation

The power of the 10,000-experiment rule is vividly illustrated in the stories of tech luminaries and companies that have placed experimentation at the heart of their success. These case studies not only demonstrate the rule’s effectiveness but also inspire a culture of innovation and resilience.

Thomas Edison: The Quintessential Experimenter

Thomas Edison’s work is perhaps the most iconic example of success through experimentation. Edison’s philosophy of “genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration” reflects his commitment to the iterative process of innovation. His development of the electric light bulb involved over a thousand experiments, a journey marked by setbacks, learning, and eventual triumph. Edison’s persistence and willingness to learn from each experiment laid the groundwork for modern electric lighting and numerous other technologies, embodying the essence of the 10,000-experiment rule.

Amazon: Cultivating an Experimentation Culture

Under Jeff Bezos’s leadership, Amazon has become synonymous with innovation, largely due to its embrace of experimentation. Amazon’s foray into cloud computing with AWS, its development of the Kindle, and its exploration of AI through Alexa are outcomes of its experimental culture. Bezos’s approach—viewing every failure as an opportunity to learn and every experiment as a step toward discovery—has propelled Amazon into new markets and technologies, illustrating the transformative power of the 10,000-experiment rule in corporate innovation.

Facebook: Rapid Iteration and Growth

Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook has similarly leveraged the power of experimentation to evolve from a college networking site into a global social media platform. Facebook’s rapid iteration on features, constant A/B testing, and openness to pivoting based on user feedback have been instrumental in its growth and adaptability. This commitment to experimentation has enabled Facebook to stay relevant amidst changing social media landscapes and user preferences.

Applying the 10,000 Experiment Rule in Robotics

Robotics is a field that epitomizes the intersection of complex hardware, sophisticated software, and intricate real-world interactions. The 10,000-experiment rule finds a fertile ground in robotics, where practical, hands-on experimentation and iterative learning are key to innovation and breakthroughs.

Using ROS 2 (Robot Operating System 2) significantly enhances the capacity for such experimentation, providing a unified and flexible framework for robotics development.

Iterative Design and Testing with ROS 2

The iterative design process in robotics is crucial for developing effective and efficient systems. ROS 2 facilitates this process by offering advanced tools for building and testing robotic applications. Its modular architecture allows roboticists to experiment with different configurations and functionalities easily, streamlining the process of learning from each iteration. By leveraging ROS 2’s capabilities, developers can quickly prototype ideas, test hypotheses, and refine their designs based on real-world feedback.

Simulation-Based Testing Enhanced by ROS 2

ROS 2 integrates seamlessly with powerful simulation tools, such as Gazebo and NVIDIA Isaac Sim, enabling developers to conduct thousands of simulated experiments efficiently. These simulations are invaluable for exploring the behavior of robotic systems under a wide range of conditions without the time and cost associated with physical prototypes. By utilizing ROS 2 in simulation-based testing, researchers can accelerate the experimentation process, rapidly iterating on design and software algorithms to identify promising approaches before real-world implementation.

Real-World Experimentation and ROS 2

When transitioning from simulation to real-world testing, ROS 2’s robustness and flexibility become even more beneficial. Its support for diverse hardware and real-time communication allows for extensive real-world experimentation, critical for refining robot designs and ensuring they can handle the complexities of their intended environments. ROS 2’s ecosystem encourages a collaborative approach to experimentation, where developers can share insights, tools, and best practices, further accelerating innovation in robotics.

Leveraging ROS 2 for the 10,000 Experiment Rule

ROS 2 is designed to support the rapid iteration and flexibility required by the 10,000-experiment rule. Its features enable roboticists to:

Prototype Quickly: Developers can use ROS 2 to build and test new ideas swiftly, reducing the time from concept to experimentation.
Analyze and Iterate: With ROS 2, it’s easier to collect and analyze data from experiments, facilitating a deeper understanding of each trial and informing subsequent iterations.
Collaborate and Share: The ROS 2 community encourages sharing of software, tools, and best practices, making it easier for roboticists to learn from each other’s experiments.

Practical Tips for Implementing the 10,000 Experiment Rule

Adopting the 10,000-experiment rule requires a strategic approach to experimentation. Here are some practical tips for individuals and organizations looking to embrace this mindset:

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of each experiment, including the hypothesis, methodology, results, and learnings. This documentation is invaluable for tracking progress and informing future experiments.
Embrace Failure: View each failed experiment as a learning opportunity. Analyzing why an experiment didn’t work is often more informative than a successful outcome.
Foster a Culture of Curiosity: Encourage team members to ask questions, propose experiments, and explore new ideas. A supportive environment that values curiosity and risk-taking is essential for innovation.
Leverage Technology: Utilize software and tools designed for managing experiments. These can help organize data, track progress, and analyze results, making the experimentation process more efficient and effective.

Conclusion

The 10,000-experiment rule offers a compelling framework for achieving success in technology and beyond. By shifting the focus from sheer hours of practice to the quality and quantity of experiments, individuals and organizations can foster a culture of innovation, resilience, and continuous learning. The stories of Edison, Bezos, Zuckerberg, and countless others in the field of technology underscore the transformative power of this approach. As we look to the future, embracing the mindset of experimentation will be key to navigating the complexities of technology and unlocking new realms of possibility. Let the journey of 10,000 experiments begin.

The Secret to Tech Startup Success: Speed and Simplicity

Summary

Winning technology companies become winners and remain winners by satisfying human desires with greater SPEED and/or SIMPLICITY than those who came before them. Those who keep that in mind will profit immensely. Those who lose sight of that will have problems.

If you are running a tech startup, remember that to win over the long haul, you must satisfy human desires with greater speed and/or simplicity than current market leaders. The easiest way to do that is to take a human desire…one that has been around for a long time…and make it more easily attainable by using technology to remove steps from what people are currently doing to satisfy that desire.

Entrepreneurs are professional step removers.

Bottom Line: Help people get what they want faster and/or more simply, and profit immensely.

Introduction

In the realm of technology and innovation, Ev Williams, a co-founder of Twitter and Medium, has articulated a compelling formula for achieving wealth and success: eliminate unnecessary steps in everyday tasks. This principle of simplifying processes to their most efficient forms is not just a strategy but a philosophy that has propelled companies like Uber, Google, and Amazon to unprecedented heights of success and influence. These tech giants have mastered the art of providing unparalleled convenience and ease, essentially by adhering to two fundamental tenets: speed and cognitive ease. By understanding and harnessing the power of these elements, they’ve managed to tap into long-standing human desires, making them more accessible through modern technology.

This blog post aims to delve deep into the concept that Williams highlighted, exploring how the simplicity and speed in technology can serve as a golden ticket to startup success. By examining the trajectories of Uber, Google, and Amazon as illustrative examples, we will uncover the underlying principles that any tech startup can adopt to achieve similar success. Additionally, we will offer actionable insights and strategies for integrating these principles into the fabric of emerging technology ventures.

The Human Desire for Convenience

The quest for convenience is as old as humanity itself. From the invention of the wheel to the creation of the internet, each technological breakthrough has been driven by a desire to make life easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

In the pre-digital age, innovations were primarily focused on physical labor and time reduction. However, as we transitioned into the digital era, the focus shifted towards cognitive ease and speed of access.

This shift is rooted in our inherent desire for instant gratification—a trait that has been significantly amplified by the internet and mobile technology. Today, we live in a world where the expectation is not just for things to be easier, but for them to be instantaneously accessible. The success stories of tech giants like Uber, Google, and Amazon are a testament to this evolution. By identifying and eliminating friction points in everyday activities, these companies have not only satisfied but exceeded the modern consumer’s expectations for convenience.

The Philosophy of Simplification

Humans are wired to seek convenience and efficiency. This innate desire has been the driving force behind many technological advancements throughout history. In the digital age, this pursuit has taken on a new dimension, with simplicity and speed becoming paramount in product design and service delivery. The psychological underpinning of this trend is straightforward: the less effort the brain has to make to achieve a desired outcome, the more appealing that pathway becomes. Simplification, therefore, is not just a design principle but a strategic approach to capturing and retaining user interest and loyalty.

Case Studies

Uber

Uber transformed the transportation industry by removing the friction involved in hailing a taxi. By introducing a simple app that connects drivers with passengers, Uber made it possible to secure a ride with just a few taps on a smartphone. This convenience, coupled with transparent pricing and payment, epitomizes the power of removing unnecessary steps to meet a fundamental human need: getting from point A to B efficiently.

Google

Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful is a testament to the power of simplicity. With a clean interface and a sophisticated algorithm, Google has made it incredibly easy for users to find information on the internet quickly. This focus on speed and ease of use has made Google the go-to search engine for billions of people worldwide.

Amazon

Amazon has revolutionized the retail industry by making online shopping as easy and convenient as possible. From one-click purchases to same-day delivery options, Amazon has continually focused on reducing the barriers to online shopping, fulfilling the human desire for immediate gratification and hassle-free transactions.

Practical Steps for Startups

For startups looking to replicate the success of giants like Uber, Google, and Amazon, the key lies in identifying common activities or pain points that can be simplified. This involves a deep understanding of the target audience and a commitment to designing with the user experience in mind. Continuous improvement based on user feedback is also crucial, as it helps refine the product or service to better meet the needs of the market.

Challenges and Considerations

While simplicity and speed are powerful drivers of success, they are not without their challenges. Startups must carefully balance the quest for simplicity with the need to provide a comprehensive and functional product. Over-simplification can lead to a loss of valuable features or fail to meet users’ needs effectively.

Conclusion

The secret to tech startup success lies in understanding and applying the principle of removing unnecessary steps to make common activities faster and easier. By focusing on speed and simplicity, startups can create products and services that resonate deeply with users, fulfilling their desires in the most efficient way possible. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, the startups that prioritize the user’s ease and convenience will be the ones that stand out and succeed in the crowded marketplace.