#256 Co-founder & CMO of LuxAI - Aida Nazarikhorram
Aida Nazarikhorram, co-founder and CMO of LuxAI, discusses building QTrobot for children with autism and turning healthcare robotics research into a viable business with host Jess Larsen.
In this talk
- 0:44
QTrobot supports autism therapy
LuxAI applies AI and robotics to healthcare, starting with QTrobot, an expressive humanoid designed to help children with autism practice social interaction. Aida says the robot gives children a simpler, more predictable partner and can help them apply what they learn when interacting with people.
- 1:50
From medicine to a robotics startup
After medical school and clinical work in Iran, Aida moved to Luxembourg and began exploring how technology could address healthcare needs. Research suggested robots could support children’s social skills, but few commercial options existed. A proof-of-concept project funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund helped launch the work, and Aida later studied business at London Business School.
- 5:49
Design for comfort and engagement
QTrobot uses clear expressions and communication gestures to help children recognize social cues. Its friendly, toddler-like proportions aim to make it approachable and reduce fear or uncertainty. Aida recalls children showing greater enthusiasm for therapy tasks and sessions when working with the robot.
- 10:28
Bring healthcare expertise into product teams
Aida sees a gap between healthcare professionals and IT specialists, and says clinicians can help teams build solutions that fit patients’ needs and the realities of healthcare settings. She values entrepreneurship because it lets her carry research beyond the lab and see how a product affects people in practice.
- 13:45
Test early and share ideas
Aida recommends getting business guidance, testing with users, and checking whether customers will pay, alongside testing whether the technology works. LuxAI began trials with children and autism professionals using a small 3D-printed prototype; she wishes they had started even sooner. She also advises sharing ideas early, since feedback can reshape a business model, and treating rejection as part of learning.
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