He Worked On Producing Oxygen On Mars, Now He Builds Cannabis Robots: The Fascinating Story Of Sorting Robotics
“I worked on a project called MOXIE, which is currently on Mars producing oxygen from its atmosphere,” says Nohtal Partansky, founder of Sorting Robotics. It’s a statement that feels plucked from a sci-fi movie, but it’s the prelude to a career shift that’s redefining cannabis manufacturing.
Armed with a degree in aerospace engineering and a stint at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Partansky initially seemed destined to remain among the stars. However, his drive to solve real-world problems brought him back to Earth. In 2018, he and his co-founder launched Sorting Robotics with just $6,000 in seed money. The company initially focused on developing automation technologies for other industries, testing the waters of robotics in various sectors.
In 2020, a hands-on foray into the cannabis industry changed everything. “I co-founded a co-packing company with friends, managing 30 trimmers and packaging flower for California brands. That experience taught me what operators truly need,” he said. Observing the inefficiencies of manual processes, Partansky saw an opportunity to transform cannabis manufacturing with robotics.
Out of this pivot came two groundbreaking machines: the Goo Robot and the Stardust system. “The Goo Robot is designed for live resin-infused joints,” Partansky told Benzinga. By automating the precise injection of concentrates into pre-rolls, the machine ensures uniformity and scalability—essential for cannabis operators looking to meet growing consumer demand. Meanwhile, the Stardust system addressed the labor-intensive task of kief-coating pre-rolls, a product category popularized by brands like Jeeter.
Priced at $75,000 for the Goo Robot and $240,000 for the Stardust system, these machines are an investment that quickly pays off. “Almost all of our customers see a return on investment within a year,” says Partansky. The quick ROI stems from the automation of time-consuming tasks, allowing operators to scale their production without adding significant labor costs.
“The principles are the …