Richard is an award-winning technologist, engineer, and startup executive with two decades of experience building products at the intersection of AI, robotics, education, and inclusive design. He began interning in research laboratories while still in junior high school, launching his first ventures before university, and has since worked across sectors as both an innovator and system builder. His leadership has shaped internationally scaled programs for inclusive and assistive technology in education and employment. Richard holds multiple patents and has contributed to peer-reviewed and practice-based publications on human-AI interaction, assistive robotics, and cognitive teaming.

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
uGuides
Jan 2024-present
·   Leads development of Starguide, a generative AI tool supporting disability-inclusive employment and cognitive teaming
·   Oversees technical architecture and adaptive profiling systems for multi-role platform design

Chief Technology Officer
Highwire Capital
Aug 2020-present
·   Leads technology evaluation, adaptation, and investment strategy across industrial automation and inclusion tech
·   Develops IP strategy and scale-readiness models for acquired products

Founder
LRN
Mar 2018-Nov 2019
·   Developed a blockchain-secured document management system to reduce piracy of document based content and secure sensitive documents

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
RoboKind
Feb 2011-Nov 2023

·   Developed and scaled robotics-based learning programs for autism and special education learning (SEL) used in 1,300+ schools
·   Integrated AI and mechanical systems to deliver real-time support for learners with disability, improving the learning success of autistic students from 3% to over 80%
·   Achieved 350% growth through pandemic-aligned product pivoting
·   Oversaw hardware and software teams of 35+ employees
·   Developed and manufactured the first mass production facially expressive robot

Director of Hardware
Hanson Robotics
Sep 2009-Feb 2011
·   Led mechanical design and integration of humanoid robots for research into human-robot interaction, including early autism learning trials.
·   Developed cognitive speech models and expressive robotics systems. This work laid the foundation for founding RoboKind, translating lab innovation into scalable classroom tools.
·   Related academic research collaborations included: Robot gaze development (Heracleia Lab); Haptic feedback for surgical robotics (MARS Lab) and Senior Design Team Leader (University of Texas)

 R&D Experience (2000–2010)
Spanning nanotech, biotechnology, robotics, and defense systems, Richard’s early research included:
·   Developing filtering and characterization methods for carbon nanotubes (University of Texas),
·   Analyzed genomic data for the Human Genome Project and K9 Morphology study (UT Southwestern)
·   Designed the first robotic test rig for respirator fit (US Air Force Research Labs)

Early creative ventures

·   Founder, WWRD & Duct Tape Things (1999–2006)
Founded two early creative ventures as a teen: a duct tape accessory brand with 17 employees, and a personal brand T-shirt company. These projects ignited a lifelong focus on expressive design, manufacturing and production, inclusive systems, and product-driven storytelling.

EDUCATION

·   Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, Texas)

·   Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut)

·   Leadership Program, AJU, Brandeis Collegiate Institute Summer Program

·   National Security Certificate, George Mason University

VOLUNTEER, BOARD & ADVISORY SUMMARY

Richard serves on advisory boards and consults across nonprofit and tech initiatives. His current roles include:

·   4impactdata (AI advisory board, 2024–present)
·   ConnectIDD (Assistive tech and inclusion programs, 2023–present)
·   Sensory Health
·   Gemma Robotics
·   Mindmelt Entertainment
·   RoboKind (post tenure) and other STEM focused projects

AWARDS & RECOGNITION SUMMARY
Richard has received over 30 national and global awards for innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive technology, reflecting sustained impact across education, robotics, AI ethics, and systems innovation. Recent highlights include:

·   AI75: Venture Visionaries, Dallas Innovates (2024)

·   Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award, Marquis Who’s Who (2023)

·   EdTech Leadership Awards, EdTech Digest (2019–2022)

·   EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2019)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

·   Ireland, L., & Margolin, R. (Forthcoming, 2025). Neurodiversity for cyborg systems. In SAGE Handbook of Neurodiversity.

·   Margolin, R., & Ireland, L. (2024, March). Inclusive tech: Bridging the gap [Live demonstration, moderated by O. Barrett]. Sync Summit – Ithra, Saudi Arabia.

·   Margolin, R. A glimpse into the future: The unfolding AI revolution and its transformative impact on society from 2023–2030.

·   Wander, J., Hanson, D., & Margolin, R. (2012). Humanlike articulate robotic headform…. Air Force Research Laboratory.

·   Hanson, D., et al. (2009). Zeno: A cognitive character. AI Magazine & AAAI National Conference Proceedings.