These robots could cut delivery costs by 80% | Next Unicorns

These robots could cut delivery costs by 80% | Next Unicorns
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Today's show:
*Cytronic built a robotics-first fulfillment network, packing and shipping orders for cents instead of dollars, from small, city-adjacent micro-warehouses. Alex chats with CEO and co-founder Kevin Gibbon about how he can build a fulfillment warehouse for $1.2 million, and why it costs Amazon 50M-100M.
PLUS Eyebot delivers low-cost doctor-reviewed eyeglass prescriptions following 90-second vision tests, conducted in everyday kiosks. We asked CEO and co-founder Matthias Hofmann how he's trying to simplify vision care and caught up with his Walmart and Sam's Club pilot programs.
Guests
Kevin Gibbon on X: x.com/kevingibbon
Cytronic: cytronic.ai
Matthias Hofmann on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mchofmann
Eyebot: eyebot.co
Relevant Links
Axios: Cytronic seed round: ****axios.com/pro/supply-chain-deals/2026/07/15/ro…
Airhouse acquired by Syncware: airhouse.io
Amazon News: 10 Years of Robotics: aboutamazon.com/news/operations/10-years-of-am…
Serve Robotics: serverobotics.com
Zipline: flyzipline.com
TechCrunch: Manna plots major US expansion: techcrunch.com/2026/07/08/autonomous-drone-del…
TechCrunch: Eyebot Series A round: techcrunch.com/2025/08/26/eyebot-gets-20m-seri…
CNET Eyebot coverage: cnet.com/health/medical/i-took-a-vision-test-i…
Walmart & Sam's Club announcement: eyebot.co/resources/walmart-and-sams-club-pilo…
Formlabs: formlabs.com
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses: meta.com/ai-glasses
Google Android XR AI announcement: blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/a…
World Health Organization: Blindness and vision impairment fact sheet: who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness…
Timestamps:
0:00 Kevin Gibbons of Cytronic joins the show
5:29 How small is a micro fulfillment center?
9:59 Squarespace - Turn your idea into a beautiful website! Go to squarespace.com/twist for a free trial. When you're ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
11:33 Understanding the unit economics
20:24 Northwest Registered Agent - Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity — Learn more at northwestregisteredagent.com/twist
22:29 Why fulfillment costs rise as you scale
29:46 Automatons Roll Out
30:12 Matthias Hofmann of Eyebot joins the show
30:31 Agree.com - Stop chasing invoices and automate your entire contract-to-cash stack. Go to agree.com and tell them Jason sent you to get 50% off for life!
31:29 Vision tests vs. eye exams
42:28 The terrifying doctor shortage
47:22 Fundraising and partnerships
57:07 Will we always need human doctors in the loop?

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