Rivian's Robotics Spinoff Mind Appoints Doug Field as President
Mind Robotics, the robotics spinoff of Rivian, has appointed former Ford executive and industry veteran Doug Field as its new president. Field brings extensive experience in electric vehicles (EVs) and software development from his roles at Tesla, Apple, and Ford. He will lead Mind’s efforts to develop “universally capable robots” for industrial applications, including use within Rivian's factories. Mind Robotics was founded by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe in 2025 and has raised over $1 billion since its inception. The company remains secretive about the design of its robots but emphasizes their focus on dexterity and physical reasoning necessary for complex industrial tasks. Field’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as advancements in AI-driven robotics face significant technical challenges. Rivian will serve as Mind Robotics’ first customer, with initial robot testing planned within Rivian's facilities. The two companies remain legally separate but are closely linked through shared data and equity ownership.