Cassidy Kovell
Robotics Operations & Communications Coordinator at Yondu AI
Coordinating robotics operations and technical communications for Yondu AI, specifically focusing on data collection for autonomous warehouse tasks.
Intro
I'm Cassidy Kovell, currently leading Robotics Operations & Communications at Yondu AI. My journey has taken me from freelance web development and engineering tutoring to the front lines of physical AI, where I now focus on the intersection of hardware and software in warehouse automation. I'm passionate about moving robotics out of the lab and into real-world use, specifically through autonomous picking and apparel handling. At Yondu, I've captured over 1,500 data episodes to train ML models and managed our technical presence at major industry events. I'm always looking to connect with 'non-corporate' engineering talent who want to build from scratch, as well as logistics leaders interested in the future of autonomous infrastructure. Whether we're talking about data center scaling or the 'seamless shift' between autonomy and teleoperation, I'm here to share what it's really like to have boots on the ground in robotics.
Networking
What I can offer
- ›Insights into robotics deployment and data collection
- ›Technical blogging and documentation expertise
- ›Web development and design support
- ›Connections to the YC startup ecosystem
What I'm looking for
- ›Non-corporate engineering talent for Yondu AI
- ›Logistics executives and supply chain investors
- ›Collaborations on demystifying robotics deployments
Best fit for
Focus
Current interests
Core competencies
Background
Career
Transitioned from personal assistance and tutoring into freelance web development before specializing in robotics operations and communications at a YC-backed AI startup.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Oregon (2018 – 2023)
Achievements
- ›Captured 1,500+ high-quality data episodes for ML model training
- ›Managed technical demonstrations at Manifest 2026
- ›Developed a testing platform for warehouse management software
- ›Achieved a 100% publish rate for freelance web projects
Opinions
- Robotics companies should focus on real production environments rather than staying 'stuck in the lab.'
- General-purpose robots do not need to be human-shaped; form should follow function for reliability.
- Interns should design from scratch rather than working on tiny components.
- A 'seamless shift' between autonomy and teleoperation is the fastest path to scaling robotics.
Personality
Communication style
Professional, enthusiastic, and narrative-driven, using storytelling to humanize technical challenges.
Formality — 6/10
Vocabulary