Rishabh Aggarwal

Leading all technology development for a Physical AI startup building general-purpose autonomous mobile robots for heavy industry. Responsible for the complete embodied AI stack: mechanical architecture, electrical systems, embedded firmware, perception (computer vision, LiDAR, sensor fusion), motion planning, autonomy, and cloud infrastructure. Key contributions: • Architected a modular, general-purpose robot platform (4WD/4WS, 600+ kg, 400-500 kg per wheel load) with reconfigurable tool interfaces enabling deployment across construction, manufacturing, and industrial inspection • Launched the Pulse Torque Driver, a proprietary robotic fastening attachment that significantly reduces rework on building envelope installations • Implemented a ROS 2-based autonomy stack with integrated computer vision, LiDAR perception, and Foxglove-based real-time diagnostics for field monitoring • Built and scaled a cross-functional engineering team spanning mechanical, electrical, embedded software, and perception • Driving patent strategy with multiple provisional filings covering robotic methodologies and modular subsystem architectures • Led deployments at major construction and industrial sites; work contributed to the company earning CEMEX Ventures Silver Award (international, 70+ countries) and BuiltWorlds Top 50 recognition in both 2024 and 2025 • Scoping ATEX Zone 2 certification to expand operations into hazardous environments in oil & gas and chemical processing

Joined as the founding mechanical engineer to design Raise Robotics' first-generation autonomous robot from concept through field deployment and first commercial revenue. Owned the complete mechanical architecture of a 600+ kg ruggedized mobile platform built for unstructured outdoor environments in construction and heavy industry. ▸ Designed and delivered the company's first commercial product, taking it from early concept through field deployment to revenue-generating customer operations ▸ Designed the full mechanical system: chassis, suspension (nitrogen gas springs, die springs, linear guide assemblies), drivetrain, and structural frame for a ruggedized field robot ▸ Conceptualized and developed a novel stabilization mechanism that achieves millimeter-level precision on uneven terrain, enabling high-accuracy robotic operations on active construction sites ▸ Developed novel robotic end effectors purpose-built for construction tasks, including bracket gripping systems and automated nut-and-bolt fastening tools ▸ Engineered a one-of-a-kind on-robot automatic tool changer with integrated pneumatic system, enabling the platform to swap between different end effectors without manual intervention ▸ Developed modular robotics subsystems enabling rapid reconfiguration across different construction and industrial applications ▸ Established DFM processes, vendor qualification programs, and procurement workflows that reduced lead times and accelerated iteration cycles ▸ Promoted to CTO based on demonstrated impact across the full product development lifecycle, from mechanical architecture through commercialization

Led mechanical design and systems integration for autonomous agricultural robots at a venture-backed AgTech startup. Managed product lifecycle from R&D through field validation for robots operating in harsh outdoor environments. • Designed a safety-compliant custom battery system with modular electronic packaging and sealed sliding mechanism, increasing robot battery life by 42% • Developed ruggedized, field-serviceable electronic enclosures (power and compute modules) with modular architecture enabling parallel assembly and faster maintenance • Established direct overseas vendor relationships, cutting part procurement lead time by 2 weeks and reducing costs by 45%+ through manufacturing partnerships in China • Led research on UV-C dosing techniques for a novel autonomous pest control system replacing chemical pesticides, achieving commercial viability within 6 months, ahead of competitors • Designed and executed a 20,000-cycle skid steer reliability testing program, validating the autonomous robot base for a 2-year operational lifetime The robots I helped engineer at Tortuga were subsequently recognized as TIME Best Inventions (2025, Special Mention) and Ag Robot of the Year (2024, World FIRA), and the company was acquired by Oishii in 2025 based on the strength of its technology platform. Technologies: SolidWorks, battery systems, IP67 enclosure design, reliability testing, FMEA, autonomous platform design

Core mechanical engineer on the autonomous agricultural robotics team. Responsible for drivetrain optimization, cost engineering, and product data management across multiple product lines. • Designed and optimized a zero-backlash belt-driven skid steer drivetrain, reducing cost and assembly time by 35% while improving motor control reliability • Conducted cost analysis across 500+ components in the EBOM, identifying COTS-to-custom substitutions that drove significant savings • Implemented and administered SolidWorks PDM: defined revision control workflows, automated part numbering, and supported multiple branching releases for field, production, and future platforms • Led FMEA and rigorous reliability testing programs that identified critical design risks and significantly increased robot uptime Promoted to Senior Mechanical Engineer based on contributions to product reliability and supply chain optimization.

Product engineer at a cleantech startup building thermal energy storage systems for commercial refrigeration, reducing peak energy consumption and grid strain. • Designed ISO 5211-compliant custom ball valve actuation mechanisms for refrigeration systems, operating reliably across a -30°C to 80°C temperature range • Implemented SolidWorks PDM for the engineering team: migrated 2,000+ parts from local servers, established part numbering and revision control standards • Developed structural designs and CAD models for system integrator and fluid management units Technologies: SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, GD&T, thermal systems design

Early-stage hardware engineer at a climate tech startup that captures soot particles from diesel exhaust and converts them into commercially viable ink and paint products. • Invented the core carbon sequestration hardware technology for diesel exhaust particulate capture (patent pending) • Optimized CFD simulations in ANSYS Fluent with Hypermesh mesh discretization, reducing simulation time by 80% • Designed a novel tube heat exchanger that reduces exhaust temperature by 230°C within 1 meter via free convection, with an integrated anti-fouling cleaning mechanism (patent pending) • Shipped 8 prototypes in 13 months: full cycle from requirements through procurement, fabrication, and field testing • Applied FMEA, FEA, DFM, and performance testing across all prototype iterations Awards: ASME Best Hardware Startup | United Nations 3s Award