The Pransky interview: Dr. Matanya Horowitz, founder and CEO of AMP robotics

Abstract

Purpose

This paper is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry PhD-turned entrepreneur regarding his pioneering efforts of bringing technological inventions to market. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The interviewee is Dr Matanya Horowitz, Founder and CEO of AMP Robotics, an industrial artificial intelligence (AI) and Robotics Company that automates the identification, sorting and processing of complex waste streams to extract maximum value for their customers. Horowitz discusses how he came to found this groundbreaking company and created disruptive innovations.

Findings

Horowitz earned four bachelor degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics and economics, as well as a master’s degree in electrical engineering, all from the University of Colorado. He also holds a PhD in control and dynamical systems from the California Institute of Technology with publications and research in control theory, AI, robotic path planning and computer vision. Shortly after finishing his PhD, he founded Louisville, Colorado-based AMP Robotics in 2014 with the mission of changing the fundamental economics of recycling. In the Fall of 2019, AMP raised $16m in Series A funding, led by Sequoia Capital.

Originality/value

Horowitz developed and commercialized AMP’s breakthrough AI platform, AMP Neuron™ and robotics system, AMP Cortex™, which automates high-speed identification, sorting, picking and processing of material streams. Horowitz was individually recognized as Waste360’s “2019 Innovator of the Year” in addition to being named in their “40 under 40” list. AMP has received numerous awards and gained international recognition, including The Circulars 2018 Award for “Circular Economy Top Tech Disruptor” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and the NWRA’s (National Waste and Recycling Association) “2017 Innovator of the Year” award.

Citation

Pransky, J. (2020), "The Pransky interview: Dr. Matanya Horowitz, founder and CEO of AMP robotics", Industrial Robot, Vol. 47 No. 3, pp. 319-323. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-02-2020-0038