Doug Field joins Rivian-backed Mind Robotics as president

Field will oversee product, engineering, and operations at the company, which aims to automate manufacturing through foundation models rather than humanoid biomechanics. The move arrives as Mind Robotics shifts from its initial development phase toward scaling, bolstered by over $1 billion in funding from high-profile backers including Accel, Andreessen Horowitz, and the venture arms of Volkswagen and Salesforce. Rivian currently serves as the startup’s primary testing ground, providing a high-volume factory environment for training and deployment.

Scaringe, who remains involved as chairman, sought Field’s leadership to bridge the gap between complex AI development and real-world industrial application. Field’s resume includes leading Apple’s shuttered Project Titan and a five-year tenure at Ford, where he managed the company’s EV technology transition. His transition to Mind Robotics marks a return to intensive hardware-software integration, a challenge he described as one of the most difficult engineering problems currently facing the industry.

Mind Robotics operates as an independent entity, though it maintains a tight relationship with Rivian, which holds a one-third stake in the firm. This structure mirrors Scaringe’s approach with Also, his separate micromobility venture. By installing seasoned executives like Field and former Specialized product chief Chris Yu to manage day-to-day operations, Scaringe is isolating these experimental projects from the core demands of Rivian’s automotive business while keeping them within his broader innovation ecosystem.