**Surviving the Chaos of CES: A Startup’s Story**
As I wandered the crowded halls of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I stumbled upon an unlikely sight – a packed Hyundai Santa Fe overflowing with gear. Meet Bucket Robotics, a Y Combinator-backed startup that’s changing the game when it comes to surface inspections. I caught up with CEO and founder Matt Puchalski, who told me about the wild ride it’s been.
So, how did they get all that gear to the show? Puchalski rented a car and, with a hint of humor, “did the unthinkable” by packing the entire sales space himself. That’s right, a 12-hour drive through the rain to get the kit to Las Vegas. Talk about dedication.
But what’s the big deal about Bucket Robotics? They’re on a mission to automate high-quality inspections, particularly for surfaces. It’s an area where quality control is paramount – think automotive door handles, where precision matters. And with advanced vision methods, they’re not just making it easier, they’re revolutionizing it. Their tech uses CAD files to generate simulated defects, allowing their vision software to detect issues quickly on a manufacturing line. No more manual labeling, no need for new hardware. Just a simple, efficient solution.
I met Puchalski at a cozy hospitality suite, where he was enjoying allegedly cage-free eggs and going over the final touches before “Media Day”. As an engineer by trade, Puchalski’s passion for automation is infectious. He showed me that their prospects are already taking notice, with both automotive and defense industries knocking on their door.
Bucket Robotics is eyeing the increasingly popular path of becoming a “dual-use” company, which means they’ll be tackling both civilian and defense applications. Impressive, but what really caught my attention was Puchalski’s optimism. He’s undeterred by the chaos of CES, attributing the consistent interest to their innovative approach.
“Now that the show’s over,” he confided, “the real work begins. We’re building the business, scaling, fundraising, and closing deals. But honestly, it’s been worth it.”
**The Real Story**
After the show, the pressure’s on to deliver. Puchalski and his team have their work cut out for them, but they’re in a good spot. They’ve got the interest, the enthusiasm, and the innovative tech to take it to the next level.
For more on Bucket Robotics’ journey to CES, [check out the source link](https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/18/how-yc-backed-bucket-robotics-survived-its-first-ces/).
**Event Alert:** Keep an eye out for our upcoming event in San Francisco on October 13-15, 2026. We’ll have more details on that soon!
