Our story began with an idea whose time had come.

In 2006, a lengthy non-disclosure agreement ended, finally freeing our founder, Johnny, to bring years of research in cutting-edge visual recognition technology to the world. That was the spark that created Feedia, LLC. We hit the ground running, partnering with some of the biggest names in media to redefine what was possible. Our early years were a whirlwind of high-impact projects: we developed Intel’s Storytelling Playbook, built a multimillion-dollar production facility, and helped Walmart roll out a wellness campaign to a global audience of 2.2 billion. We left our mark on the Portland Metro area, from wrapping trains, buses, and billboards to creating radio spots and social content for a brand launch, and even developing content for Warner Bros.

A few years later, we went through a rebranding when the costs to buy the .com domain became ridiculous, and a rebranding moment arose. From then on, we have been hanging out here at IHaveRobots.com. But for us, it was just the beginning. After about five years, we dove headfirst into deep, greenfield R&D, expanding our mission into new territories. We started asking bigger questions:

  • Could we use VR eye-tracking to help clinicians? (We built ten apps to find out.)

  • Could we build new tools for neurocognitive assessment? (We developed eight.)

  • Could we architect an enterprise-wide AI agent model for a major studio using Google’s Dialogflow? (We designed the blueprint.)

This drive led us to the forefront of technology—beta testing Unity’s AI before it launched, integrating NoSQL databases with Google’s Vertex AI, and even building scientifically accurate augmented reality dioramas for museums.

Today, our passion remains the same: to solve tough problems with brilliant technology. You’re building something amazing, and we have the experience and network to help you get there.

Let’s build the future together.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

Arthur C. Clarke
What is "I Have Robots," and what is its core mission?

I Have Robots" is a media lab founded in 2006 by John Anthony Hartman. Its core mission is to craft immersive, story-driven experiences that transcend reality by blending physical and digital worlds using cutting-edge platforms like AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies. The company aims to evoke "digital marvels" that fundamentally transform how audiences interact with its clients, focusing on delivering tangible results like increased audience engagement. This is achieved through an innovative transmedia framework and a human-centered design philosophy.

The "Consult | Wrangle | Deploy" philosophy is a three-step process for innovation that "I Have Robots" applies to all its client projects.
Consult: This initial phase leverages the company's deep historical knowledge and expertise to create future-proof plans, ensuring solutions are well-informed by the rapidly changing technological landscape.
Wrangle: In this crucial step, the company discovers and rigorously tests the latest technologies. It also assembles a custom team of world-class experts ("Wranglers") tailored to the specific challenges of each project, bridging the gap between human talent and cutting-edge tech.
Deploy: The final stage involves building scalable and sustainable solutions for the market. The philosophy emphasizes innovation while also focusing on making a positive impact, ensuring the solutions are not just advanced but also practical and built to last.

Specifically for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History?
We are developing an interactive, live-location wayfinding experience for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH). This mobile-first web app utilizes Bluetooth tracking and the user's device's internal compass to provide the most efficient route to desired locations within the museum. Users can filter locations by category (exhibits, entrances/exits, bathrooms) and select their destination by touch. The approach focuses on developing a waypoint navigation system, integrating compass functionality for accurate guidance, and creating intuitive, visually appealing, and accessible user interfaces. The expected outcomes are enhanced accessibility, improved visitor engagement and satisfaction, and increased awareness and appreciation for the museum's offerings. Future plans include gamification and AR dioramas to further enhance the experience.


Liquid Storytelling" is a framework for architecting massive, interconnected story worlds that are too expansive for a single medium. It involves a narrative that lives and breathes across multiple platforms such as movies, video games, comics, live events, and virtual spaces, with each piece adding a new, unique layer to the overall universe. Hartman applies this by expanding a story's universe rather than just adapting it for different platforms. This approach is demonstrated in projects like the Ultraman IP, where he blends various media to create a giant, cohesive story. He also taught this concept at the university level, reflecting its academic and practical significance.

John Anthony Hartman's background is characterized by a unique duality, making him a "unicorn" in the tech and media industries. He was a "theater kid" immersed in storytelling and human expression, but simultaneously a "tech nerd" who was literally dismantling computers in 1981. This rare blend of artistic creativity and deep technical fluency is the "DNA" of his work. His journey includes an early career in the U.S. Army, extensive work in early AI and visual recognition under a 10-year NDA with Microsoft (starting in 1996), serving as a technology evangelist for the Digital Universe Foundation (collaborating with NASA, MIT, and FEMA on 3D data visualization), and founding "I Have Robots" in 2006. He also held adjunct professorships at Portland State University and Oregon State University, teaching masters courses on transmedia and undergraduate courses in new media, social media and marketing.. His career showcases a consistent ability to bridge art and engineering to build the future.

How has Johnny Hartman's work evolved with the history of visual recognition technology?John Hartman's career directly mirrors the evolution of visual recognition technology.

Mid-1990s - Mid-2000s: Influenced by MIT's Kismet project, his Microsoft NDA work focused on early visual processing for Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), basic facial detection, and emotion recognition in lab settings, aligning with the dawn of affective computing.

2003-2005: As a solutions architect for the Digital Universe Foundation, he utilized 3D visualization tools to overlay and process large taxonomical visual datasets onto 3D models of Earth for organizations like NASA and FEMA, focusing on data visualization.

2006-2010: With "I Have Robots," he managed projects for HP (in Second Life) and Walmart (transmedia campaigns). This era, pre-deep learning, relied on proxy metrics for user behavior (avatar actions, foot traffic) due to limited real-time visual recognition capabilities.

2017-Present: From his work as CTO of Elevate Labs and through "I Have Robots" embraces the deep learning revolution, integrating XR, AI, and real-time game engines. Projects like Vision Systems Technologies for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) therapy utilize real-time eye-tracking for physiological measurement, a stark contrast to past proxy methods. He also leverages generative AI for virtual production, collapsing traditional media pipelines.

VizScore: Co-founded by John Hartman in 2019, VizScore is a health and wellness SaaS company focused on enhancing human performance and neurological care. It uses a platform of gamified assessments and recovery tools, championing a human-centered approach with accessibility design. Hartman leads its R&D, including FDA Q filing, demonstrating milestone-driven execution in regulated environments.

Elevate Media Labs: Co-founded by Hartman in 2017 (operating until 2024), Elevate Media Labs was an entertainment studio and incubator. It pioneered a model of turning partner brands' marketing budgets into profitable intellectual property. Notable projects include:

Ultraman Connection: Architected and managed a multi-partner innovation ecosystem for the $1B Ultraman IP, coordinating strategies across global partners like Marvel and Netflix to drive community engagement.

Vision Systems Technologies: Incubated and led the development of this XR bioinformatics platform used in vision therapy trials for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other disabilities, utilizing visual recognition and eye-tracking. This project is a key example of "affective computing made real and helping people."

Justice Clothing (ULTRA SQUAD graphic novels): Developed an entertainment-first strategy that generated a $150 million sales boost
for the partner brand by turning marketing spend into profitable IP, such as a hit series of graphic novels, selling over $250K.

Columbia Records: Involved in virtual production, 3D set/character design, and live events for new artist release parties, innovating COVID protocols.
What are the future implications of "seeing" AI and robotics for businesses and society, according to the sources?
The future of "seeing" AI and robotics points towards socially aware machines that can perceive, understand, and interact with humans on a fundamentally human level, moving beyond simple object recognition. This will lead to transformative changes across various industries:

Retail: Stores will become dynamic ecosystems with real-time sentiment analysis, cashierless operations, and autonomous inventory management.Healthcare: Social robots will provide companionship and support, while visual recognition will aid in non-invasive diagnostics (e.g., eye-tracking for
neurological conditions) and rehabilitation.

Entertainment & Media: "Liquid Storytelling" will be fully realized, with AI-driven characters adapting to player emotions and generative AI collapsing production pipelines for dynamic, immersive narratives.

Autonomous Systems: Advanced visual scene understanding will enable drones for infrastructure inspection, robots for last-mile delivery, and intelligent assistants in smart cities.To capitalize on this, businesses must invest in robust AI/data infrastructure, champion human-AI collaboration (up-skilling employees for higher-value roles), embrace human-centered design, and establish strong ethical frameworks for transparency, bias mitigation, data privacy, and security. The market for AI-powered and humanoid robots is projected to see significant growth, underscoring the urgency of these strategic imperatives.