Boston Dynamics, the robotics firm owned by Hyundai Motor Group, has named former Amazon executive Rohit Prasad as its new Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment taking effect on Oct. 7. The company announced the leadership change in an official statement.
Prasad will succeed Robert Playter, who has served as CEO since 2019. Playter will transition to the role of executive fellow and will continue to serve as an advisor to the company.
Prasad previously held the position of senior vice president and head scientist for Alexa Artificial Intelligence at Amazon, where he was a central figure in the development of the voice assistant and its underlying AI technologies. His career at Amazon began in 2013.
In the company’s statement, officials highlighted Prasad’s background in AI and commercial robotics as key to advancing Boston Dynamics’ mission. Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, stated that Prasad’s expertise in developing AI-powered commercial products at a large scale will be valuable for the company’s future.
“The next chapter for Boston Dynamics will be one of accelerated growth into new markets and continued leadership in commercial-first robotics,” Prasad said in the announcement. “I am excited to lead this next stage of growth and continue to push the boundaries of robotics.”
Playter oversaw a significant period for Boston Dynamics, including the first commercial launch of its quadruped robot, Spot, and the introduction of its warehouse logistics robot, Stretch. “I am proud of everything the Boston Dynamics team and I have accomplished,” Playter stated. “I am confident that Rohit is the right leader to build upon this success.”
Boston Dynamics, which originated as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is known for creating advanced mobile robots, including the humanoid Atlas robot. The company has shifted its focus in recent years toward the commercial applications of its technology, particularly in industrial inspection, logistics, and public safety.
Hyundai Motor Group acquired a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group Corp. in 2021. At the time of the acquisition, Hyundai cited its goal of establishing a presence in the robotics industry as part of its broader strategy for future mobility solutions. The appointment of Prasad aligns with the company’s stated objective of integrating advanced AI to make its robots more intelligent and useful for commercial customers.
