New Symbotic CTO James Kuffner. Credit score: Toyota
James Kuffner, a pioneer in robotics, has been named chief know-how officer at Symbotic Inc., a number one developer of warehouse robots. Kuffner is changing former CTO George Dramalis, who retired on Jan. 1, 2025. Kuffner might be chargeable for advancing the corporate’s applied sciences and long-term progress.
“James has greater than 30 years of management expertise in robotics,” said Rick Cohen, chairman and CEO of Symbotic. “He has helped forge groundbreaking technological advances at Toyota, Google, and Carnegie Mellon College’s Robotics Institute.”
Kuffner has had a embellished profession in robotics that consists of contributions to autonomous autos, cloud robotics, and different applied sciences. He joins Symbotic after spending greater than 9 years at Toyota in varied management roles.
Kuffner additionally spent greater than six years at Google engaged on autonomous autos and robotics. He co-founded Google’s robotics unit in 2013 and was a part of the preliminary engineering staff that constructed Google’s self-driving automobile group, which right now is healthier often known as Waymo.
Kuffner coined ‘cloud robotics’
In 2010, Kuffner coined the time period “cloud robotics” to explain how network-connected robots might benefit from distributed computation and knowledge saved within the cloud. Kuffner was affiliate professor at Carnegie Mellon College’s Robotics Institute from 2002 to 2008, main analysis and educating each pc science and robotics.
Kuffner can also be co-inventor of the rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm, which has turn into a key commonplace benchmark for robotic movement planning. He has revealed over 125 technical papers and holds greater than 50 patents.
“After 9 wonderful years at Toyota, I’ve determined to embark on a brand new journey with Symbotic,” Kuffner wrote on LinkedIn. “There has by no means been a extra thrilling time to be creating and deploying superior robotics and AI know-how. Drop me a observe if you’re desirous about becoming a member of a world-class staff to work on some unbelievable new tasks. We’re hiring!”
Symbotic continues to scale
Symbotic received an RBR50 innovation award from The Robotic Report in 2024 because it continues to trip the wave of logistics automation. The Wilmington, Mass.-based firm applies high-density storage, cellular robots, and machine studying to assist remedy complicated distribution challenges for a few of the world’s main retailers, wholesalers, and grocers.
Its checklist of shoppers consists of Walmart, Goal, C&S Wholesalers, Albertsons, and others. Walmart has beforehand stated it’s implementing the system in all 42 of its regional distribution facilities. The retailer owns a stake in Symbotic.
Symbotic generated $1.8 billion in income throughout 2024, representing 55% progress yr over yr. It posted income of $577 million, internet earnings of $28 million and adjusted EBITDA of $55 million for the fourth quarter. The firm did publish a internet lack of $51 million for 2024.
Symbotic just lately established a brand new enterprise entity, Symbotic Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., to serve prospects in Mexico and faucet into the rising international demand for warehouse automation.
It additionally made at the very least two robotics-related acquisitions in 2024. In August, the corporate acquired considerably all the belongings of Veo Robotics for $8.7 million. Veo’s FreeMove know-how helps safeguarding for industrial robots, basically turning them into collaborative robots.
And in December 2024, Symbotic acquired OhmniLabs, a Silicon Valley-based developer of healthcare robots. The businesses didn’t disclose the monetary particulars of the transaction.
Based in 2015, OhmniLabs builds disinfection and telepresence robots. It has used a totally in-house growth and manufacturing mannequin that it stated sped up its time to market.
With the strategic acquisition of OhmniLabs, Symbotic stated it is going to be higher positioned to develop its automation capabilities for provide chain prospects. It’s additionally desirous about delivering enhanced innovation to prospects within the healthcare business.
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