Mind Robotics hires Doug Field to lead its factory-robot engineering
Mind Robotics has appointed Doug Field as president, putting product, engineering and daily operations under the former Ford, Apple and Tesla executive. The Rivian spinoff plans to use the automaker’s factories for training and initial deployment. Its robots have not yet been shown publicly, as the venture develops purpose-built systems for industrial work and prepares to expand its operations.
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Field takes charge of product and daily operations
Doug Field has become president of Mind Robotics, the industrial AI and robotics venture spun out of electric-vehicle maker Rivian. Announced at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, the appointment gives him responsibility for product, engineering and daily operations. Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe, who founded the venture last year, remains involved. The leadership change arrives as Mind Robotics prepares to expand its early work on systems for industrial manufacturing.[1], [2]
Scaringe said he initially contacted Field to ask for a recommendation for help in running the business. Their subsequent conversations covered the venture’s mission, working methods and how to build its team. Scaringe remains acting chief executive and chair, according to The Verge. Field’s responsibilities place product development and the running of the company under an executive whose previous work connects hardware engineering with large vehicle programmes.[2], [1]
Rivian factories provide training and an initial customer
Mind Robotics intends to automate manufacturing with purpose-built robots running on foundation models, AI systems that can be adapted to different tasks. Rivian’s factories are to provide a high-volume setting for training and initial deployment. The automaker is also the venture’s first customer. That connection gives the developing machines a named industrial setting, with training data from Rivian forming another link between the two companies.[2], [1]
The company has not yet shown its robots publicly. It says the machines are being developed for the dexterity and physical reasoning industrial tasks require. Scaringe told TechCrunch the design would not seek to reproduce every aspect of human biomechanics. The Verge reports that Mind Robotics has not confirmed whether its design is humanoid. The project remains in development, with factory testing and practical use forming part of the announced plans.[2], [1]
Field left Ford in April after leading its electric-vehicle and technology work. Earlier, he oversaw Apple’s Project Titan, the electric and autonomous car project cancelled in 2024. At Tesla, his engineering responsibilities included development of the Model 3 and its difficult production ramp. His earlier Apple career also included Mac hardware engineering. These roles preceded his move into the industrial robotics venture and covered both product design and manufacturing.[2], [1]
Mind Robotics is continuing to recruit, with The Verge reporting 32 open positions. Field described combining AI and robotics as a difficult engineering challenge and said learning inside a real, high-volume factory from the beginning was an advantage. Rivian’s role as factory provider and first customer is therefore part of the operating plan presented with the appointment, while the venture is still building its team and machines.[1], [2]
