Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, introduced on Tuesday that he’s stepping down from his function efficient instantly and leaving the corporate on February twenty seventh, as beforehand reported by A3. Below Playter’s management, Boston Dynamics navigated its manner by way of an acquisition from Softbank that introduced it to Hyundai in 2021, and it launched a brand new all-electric version of its humanoid Atlas robot in 2024. Only a few days in the past, the corporate posted another video of its analysis Atlas robots trying tumbling passes and out of doors runs as extra enterprise-ready editions begin to roll out.
Boston Dynamics introduced at CES final month that Atlas robots will start working in Hyundai’s car plants beginning in 2028, because the robotics area has grow to be more and more crowded by opponents like Tesla and Determine, in addition to AI firms with “world model” tech constructed for robots.
Playter has been at Boston Dynamics for over 30 years and has served as CEO since 2020, replacing the company’s original CEO, Marc Raibert. Boston Dynamics CFO Amanda McMaster will function interim CEO whereas the corporate’s board of administrators searches for Playter’s alternative.
“Boston Dynamics has been the experience of a lifetime. What this place has grow to be has exceeded something I might have ever imagined all these years in the past in our funky lab within the basement of the MIT Media Lab,” Playter mentioned in a letter to staff, which was shared with The Verge. He additionally highlighted the corporate’s successes with its Spot, Stretch, and Atlas robots.
“From the earliest days of hopping robots, to the world’s first quadrupeds, to spearheading the whole humanoid trade, Playter made his mark as a pioneer of innovation. He reworked Boston Dynamics from a small analysis and growth lab right into a profitable enterprise that now proudly calls itself the worldwide chief in cellular robotics,” Nikolas Noel, VP of selling and communications at Boston Dynamics, mentioned in a press release to The Verge, including, “He can be sorely missed, however we hope he enjoys some well-deserved day off. Thanks Rob.”
