Daniel Theobald is a visionary leader in robotics, AI, and automation, with decades of experience at the forefront of innovation. With 67 issued patents and over 30 patents pending, Daniel has made significant contributions to shaping the future of intelligent technology.

Daniel achieved a perfect academic record at MIT and was chosen by the faculty as "the student who has achieved the highest academic standing and has exceptional potential for impact on technology and society." He was awarded the prestigious Henry Ford II Scholar award, and was chosen as both an NSF and Hertz Foundation Fellow. Daniel founded Vecna.com in 1998, pioneering advancements in robotics and healthcare access. He later co-founded MassRobotics.org, a non-profit organization driving the global robotics industry, and in 2018, founded VecnaRobotics.com, a global leader in autonomous forklift technology.

Daniel’s work extends beyond healthcare and industrial robotics into sustainable agriculture through TwistedFields.com, a research farm in beautiful San Gregorio, CA which provides free consulting and test space to startups in the agtech space. In 2024 he seed funded Rotate8.com, an amazing farm robotics company that is building multi-purpose solar-powered farming robots that farmers can actually afford.

Daniel does significant pro-bono work. He helps a number of VC firms with technical due diligence, and mentors numerous founders and startups. He provides free consulting to organizations trying to automate. He helps them differentiate robust, scalable solutions from hype, believing that automation project success benefits the industry as a whole. For larger projects, Daniel and his team at Mekable.com provide expert consulting, simulation and automation product/process development to help organizations large and small navigate their automation journey with confidence.

Daniel is a leader on the integration of AI, Robotics, and IoT into society, inspiring audiences to explore the transformative potential of technology to create a sustainable, equitable future.