The Future of Hydraulics in Robotics

A Roundtable Discussion with Naval Ravikant, Steven Bartlett, Deborah Meaden and ChatGPT…

For context I asked ChatGPT 4.0 the following prompt:
“I’d like you to play the roles of Naval Ravikant*, Steven Bartlett* and Deborah Meaden* and include yourself – discussing the future of hydraulics in robotics. Share the possible debate, the strengths, flaws and opportunities.”

To start with the future of hydraulics in robotics is not exactly a dinner party conversation but it’s a subject that sits at the crossroads of engineering, economics, and human ambition, and one that matters deeply for the next generation of mechanical design, workforce planning, and education.

Naval Ravikant – Angel Investor, Philosopher of Leverage

“The question isn’t whether hydraulics are good or bad. The question is whether they’re necessary in a future where software eats the world.”

Naval opens with his characteristic pause and precision. For him, leverage is everything.

“Hydraulics represent a kind of old-world physical leverage. Immense force. Great precision. But they’re not very scalable, not very modular, and they require constant maintenance. So from a capital and energy efficiency standpoint, unless they are essential, we’re seeing them outpaced by electromechanical systems.”

He continues: “That said, where you need sheer power-to-weight ratio, think bipedal robots lifting industrial loads, or exoskeletons in hostile environments, hydraulics remain unbeaten. But I wouldn’t bet on them dominating. I’d bet on software and lightweight materials reducing the need for hydraulics altogether.”

Deborah Meaden – Investor, Sustainability Advocate

“We have to stop thinking about technology in isolation. If you’re using hydraulics, you’d better have a good environmental reason for doing so.”

Deborah, ever the pragmatist, goes straight for the sustainability angle.

“I get frustrated when engineers fall in love with function and ignore supply chain, resource use, and waste. Hydraulic fluids often involve oils that are not biodegradable. You’re introducing risks, leaks, and maintenance nightmares unless you’ve got strict environmental controls.”

“But,” she adds, “when you’re designing for high loads or unpredictable terrain, like rescue robots, off-grid farming bots, or underwater exploration, hydraulics may be the best option.

So the question is, are we training the next generation of designers to weigh up these trade-offs properly?” She looks towards TEGacademy: “That’s where learning and development comes in. Teach engineers how to make tech choices with context, not just by default.”

Steven Bartlett – Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Investor

“The truth is, most people don’t even know what a hydraulic system is. But they’ll care about it when it fails – or when it revolutionises how they live.”

Steven brings the conversation back to storytelling and scale. “We’re on the brink of integrating robotics into daily life. That’s warehouse automation, mobility aids, agriculture, construction.

Hydraulics may not be sexy, but they’re often hidden heroes, enabling robots to lift, grip, balance. Think of Boston Dynamics’ robot dogs, many of their older designs used hydraulics for movement.”

“But here’s the issue: if you want mass adoption, in homes, healthcare, logistics, you need low cost, reliability, and clean operation. Hydraulics struggle here. Electromechanical actuators, with smart materials and software feedback, are catching up fast.”

Steven shrugs. “My guess? Hydraulics will stay niche, in military, industrial, and extreme use cases. But they won’t be the go-to for consumer robotics. Too messy. Too expensive to service.”

ChatGPT – Digital Facilitator and Emerging Tech Commentator

Let me offer the synthetic view.

Hydraulics in robotics represent an engineering trade-off that’s hard to beat for raw force and durability. They’re ideal where precise, powerful movement is needed, heavy-lift robots, surgical robotics (where fluid control is critical), and shock-absorbing environments like Mars rovers or tunnelling machines.

But they come with downsides: bulk, leaks, complex maintenance, and typically slower response times than electric systems. That’s why so much R&D in robotics is focused on soft robotics, servo motors, and electroactive polymers, materials that respond to electrical stimuli with movement. These offer lightweight, responsive, and scalable alternatives.

There are opportunities, though:

• Hybrid systems: Combining electric actuators with hydraulic assist for variable control.
• Green fluids: Innovations in biodegradable hydraulic oils to improve environmental performance.
• Educational opportunities: Teaching the next generation when to use hydraulic systems, and when not to, is key to designing efficient, cost-effective robots.

So where do we land?

Naval folds his hands. “Hydraulics are a tool. But we don’t build the future by clinging to tools, we build it by understanding when to let them go.”

Deborah smiles. “And sometimes, we build it by making those tools cleaner and smarter.”

Steven, ever the realist, finishes: “People will follow whatever works, faster, cheaper, more reliable. If that’s hydraulics, great. If not, no one will mourn their loss. But let’s be honest, people want results, not pipes and pumps.”

And ChatGPT? I’d argue the future isn’t about replacing hydraulics, it’s about putting them in their place. The right system, for the right job, with the right level of sustainability, precision, and power. Which, if you ask TEGacademy, is exactly the kind of real-world critical thinking we should be teaching.

The takeaway…

An insightful debate which if it were real (and catch them on the right day) we’d maybe get this brief type of response. None purport to be experts in this field and to be fair, it’s a debate that is better off without an engineering or robotics professional, if we’re to get a real world view.

If this is a field you are working in, what are your thoughts? My instinct goes to the creation of “nanobots” (or slightly larger) that work as the first-aid kit for hydraulics repair… now there’s a business idea 😉

For reference:

Naval Ravikant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Ravikant

Steven Bartlett: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Bartlett_(businessman)

Deborah Meaden: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Meaden

This prompt was created by Colin Gilchrist, Marketing & Business Support TEG – The Entrepreneurs Group