Rivian Spinoff Company Mind Robotics Hires Doug Field as President

Rivian's spinoff company Mind Robotics has made a significant hire in the form of Doug Field, a seasoned executive with experience working on electric vehicles at Ford and Tesla.

Field, who was also involved in Apple's secret car project and was employee number one at Segway, will take on the role of president at Mind Robotics, an industrial AI and robotics venture that separated from Rivian last year. This move suggests that Mind Robotics is ready to expand its operations just a year after its inception.

RJ Scaringe, Rivian's CEO, will still be involved with Mind Robotics but will leave day-to-day responsibilities to Field. These include product development, engineering, and operational management.

Mind Robotics has secured more than $1 billion in funding from prominent investors such as Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, Eclipse, Kleiner Perkins, and the venture arms of Volkswagen and Salesforce. The company is developing a comprehensive platform for industrial manufacturing that includes purpose-built robots running on foundation models designed to automate tasks at scale.

The startup's approach differs from others in the field by not attempting to replicate human biomechanics in its robot designs. Instead, it will focus on automating specific tasks within industrial and manufacturing environments.

RJ Scaringe's vision for Mind Robotics requires expertise in robotics deployment, and he sought someone with experience to help lead the company.

To find the right person, Scaringe called on Doug Field, who had recently left Ford after five years as a key figure in shaping the automaker's electric vehicle and technology strategies.

Rivian's spinoff companies continue to expand their teams and operations. Mind Robotics, a company spun out of Rivian, has made a significant hire in Doug Field, who joins as its new leader. Field brings his expertise from Ford, where he spent five years shaping the automaker's electric vehicle and technology strategies.

As chairman of Mind Robotics, Scaringe had been searching for the right person to lead the company. With Field on board, the focus will shift towards developing innovative technologies that can drive growth and success. The appointment is seen as a strategic move by Scaringe to strengthen the company's leadership and direction.

Mind Robotics operates independently but has ties to its parent company Rivian. The two companies share a common history, with Rivian having spun out Mind Robotics in addition to another startup called Also. Both spinoffs have received investments from Rivian, with the company owning minority stakes in each of them.

The partnership between Rivian and its spinoff companies is an interesting one. While they operate independently, they also benefit from shared resources and expertise. This model allows for innovation and risk-taking without being burdened by the responsibilities that come with being a standalone entity.

Rivian's involvement in Mind Robotics and Also demonstrates its commitment to supporting emerging technologies and entrepreneurs. The company is investing in various areas of mobility, including electric vehicles, micromobility, and more.

As part of its ongoing efforts to expand into various areas of mobility, Mind Robotics has announced significant investments in electric vehicles and micromobility.

The company is also exploring other innovative transportation solutions, although specific details about these initiatives have not been disclosed. With a growing focus on sustainable technologies, Mind Robotics appears to be positioning itself as a major player in the emerging mobility landscape.

Mind Robotics' investments are likely to drive innovation and growth in the industry, with far-reaching implications for consumers, businesses, and the environment.