Diligent Robotics Strengthens Leadership Team with Experts from Cruise
Diligent Robotics, a trailblazer in developing AI-native humanoid robots, has made significant strides in enhancing its leadership team by appointing two former executives from Cruise: Rashed Haq as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Todd Brugger as Chief Operating Officer (COO). This strategic move underscores Diligent’s commitment to advancing its robotic solutions beyond their initial focus on US hospital logistics.
Expertise from the Automotive Revolution
Rashed Haq brings a wealth of experience in both AI and robotics to his new role. As the former VP and head of AI at Cruise, he played a pivotal role in the development of end-to-end autonomy for self-driving vehicles. Under his leadership, Cruise successfully scaled its operations, with more than 5 million miles of fully driverless vehicles traversing 5+ cities.
In his new position at Diligent, Haq will focus on executing the company’s AI roadmap. His expertise will help unlock new capabilities for Moxi, Diligent’s flagship humanoid robot, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of healthcare automation.
Todd Brugger, who also hails from Cruise, served as the COO where he was instrumental in scaling the company’s robotaxi operations. His experience in operational strategy, particularly in increasing their fleet from zero to over 500 vehicles, positions him perfectly for his new role at Diligent. Brugger will concentrate on driving supply chain innovations and commercial strategies that will bring more robots into various sectors, particularly healthcare.
Transforming Healthcare Robotics
Dr. Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, emphasized the significance of the hospital environment as a proving ground for deploying such technology. Hospitals are among the most demanding and high-stakes environments for any technological integration, and thus Diligent’s focus on this sector demonstrates the efficacy of their innovative solutions. With the recent leadership appointments, the company feels well-equipped to scale its impact.
Diligent’s progress in healthcare has already been notable, with Moxi deployed in over 30 hospitals across the US. Moxi has achieved more than one million deliveries, significantly reducing the workload on healthcare staff and helping to alleviate burnout, a pressing issue in the industry. This hands-on experience highlights Diligent’s ability to navigate complex, real-world environments effectively.
The Future of Autonomous Robots
As Haq points out, the future of humanoid robots and embodied AI systems resembles the foundational impact of industries such as energy and transportation. He emphasizes that Diligent’s success within critical environments like hospitals showcases a clear product-market fit. With an adept team and a data-focused approach, Diligent envisions expanding its robotic applications into new industries.
Brugger shares a similar vision. His career has revolved around transforming innovative technologies from research and development into practical, real-world solutions. He notes that Diligent caught his attention due to its emphasis on execution rather than over-investment in research. His goal will be to enhance the ongoing development of Moxi while ensuring that trust and safety remain paramount in their deployments.
Innovative Technical Foundation
Vivian Chu, co-founder and chief innovation officer at Diligent, elaborates on the technical prowess that drives the company’s robots. The technology stack used in Moxi leverages core components similar to those found in self-driving vehicles, such as multi-modal perception and deep learning. However, Chu also highlights the unique challenges that come with deploying AI-native humanoid robots in human environments—a frontier that Diligent aims to conquer.
Haq and Brugger’s appointments not only fortify Diligent’s executive team but also signal a broader ambition to revolutionize how robots can operate within sectors beyond healthcare. Their combined expertise is poised to push the boundaries of what humanoid robots like Moxi can achieve, ultimately transforming industries and enhancing operational efficiencies.
Through these enhancements and strategic appointments, Diligent Robotics is sharpening its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving arena of robotics, poised to lead the next wave of innovation in both healthcare and beyond.