Amazon’s Bhavana Chandrashekhar to Address RoboBusiness Women in Robotics Lunch

From left to right: Bhavana Chandrashekhar and Joyce Sidopoulos.

Women currently represent only 35% of the global STEM workforce and 22% of the global AI workforce, leaving many robotics professionals isolated from peer support.

Join us at RoboBusiness 2026, taking place October 20–21 in Santa Clara, Calif., for an hour dedicated to meaningful dialogue and mentorship. The Women in Robotics Lunch offers a unique space to build professional networks, strengthen existing relationships, and advocate for greater female leadership in robotics.

Featured speakers Joyce Sidopoulos, co-founder of MassRobotics, and Bhavana Chandrashekhar, senior manager of applied science at Amazon Robotics, will lead a fireside chat during this session.

Seats for the Women in Robotics Lunch are strictly limited and expected to fill quickly. Secure your spot by adding the lunch to your existing RoboBusiness registration.

Meet the Women in Robotics Lunch speakers

Based in Seattle, Chandrashekhar leads a team of applied scientists, engineers, and managers developing autonomous manipulation robots for Amazon warehouses. Her goal is to create AI-driven robots that support workers in physically demanding roles.

Her research focuses on robotic vision, machine learning, robotic software, and task planning. Notable projects include Robin, which has handled billions of packages, and Vulcan Stow, responsible for stowing over a million items. She was recently featured in IEEE Spectrum’s “A day in the life of a roboticist” series.

Chandrashekhar will also participate in the Day 1 closing keynote, “Beyond the Demo: AI in Production Robotics,” starting at 4:30 PM. Joining her are James Davidson, chief AI officer at Teradyne Robotics, and Michael Vogelsong, head of foundation models at Cobot. Together, they will explore how these companies deploy AI in real-world customer environments.

Sidopoulos serves as chief of operations at MassRobotics, an innovation hub and laboratory supporting robotics startups. The nonprofit aims to accelerate the growth of next-generation robotics companies.

In her role, Sidopoulos drives initiatives to expand the robotics ecosystem. She designs high-impact programs that highlight tech startups, connect them with investors and clients, promote robotics adoption, bridge talent with employers, and collaborate with academia to commercialize research.

Additionally, Sidopoulos mentors and judges accelerator and university entrepreneurship programs. Her background includes 14 years of civil service with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center, where she served as chief scientist for acoustic prediction systems, systems and test engineer, and sonar systems analyst.

She has also held senior business development, engineering, and technical resource manager positions at General Dynamics and other defense contractors. She holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Cornell University.

Register now for RoboBusiness 2026

RoboBusiness 2026 stands as the premier event for commercial robotics developers. Attendees will access the latest insights from industry experts on cutting-edge research, market trends, and innovative applications across manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and other sectors.

The event also offers extensive networking opportunities, including a Mix and Mingle reception on the first day, allowing attendees to connect with fellow industry leaders.

Purchase your full conference pass before August 31 to save $200 on registration. This includes full access to all keynotes, technical sessions, networking receptions, and special events. Discounts are available for academia, associations, and corporate groups. Contact events[at]arrowfly.com for more information on discount programs.

To learn about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, download the prospectus. For sponsorship inquiries, please reach out to Colleen Sepich at csepich[AT]arrowfly.com.