Diligent Robotics Adds Ex-Cruise Execs to Leadership Team
▼ Summary
– Diligent Robotics appointed Rashed Haq as CTO and Todd Brugger as COO, both formerly at Cruise, to scale its fleet of hospital and pharmacy robots.
– The startup has deployed about 100 Moxi robots for non-patient-facing tasks and is now focusing on operational efficiency and scaling.
– CEO Andrea Thomaz highlighted Haq’s AI expertise and Brugger’s scaling experience at Cruise as key reasons for their hiring.
– Haq and Brugger joined Diligent because its robots are already in daily use and face operational challenges similar to Cruise’s autonomous vehicles.
– Diligent, founded in 2017, has raised over $90 million and deployed Moxi robots in more than 25 healthcare networks.
Diligent Robotics has strengthened its executive team with two high-profile hires from Cruise as the company prepares to expand its fleet of healthcare-focused robots. The Austin-based startup announced the appointments of Rashed Haq as Chief Technology Officer and Todd Brugger as Chief Operating Officer, both formerly key leaders at GM’s now-defunct self-driving subsidiary.
With approximately 100 Moxi robots already operational in hospitals and pharmacies, Diligent is shifting focus toward scaling its technology. These humanoid assistants handle logistical tasks like delivering supplies and medications, freeing up medical staff for patient care. CEO and co-founder Andrea Thomaz emphasized the strategic timing of these hires, noting the company’s deliberate pace in refining operations before accelerating growth.
Haq, previously Cruise’s VP of AI and Robotics, brings expertise in transitioning AI systems from research to real-world applications. Brugger, who oversaw Cruise’s expansion from zero to hundreds of autonomous vehicles, will apply similar scaling strategies at Diligent. Thomaz highlighted their proven collaboration at Cruise as a major advantage, calling the hires “perfect timing” for the company’s next phase.
Both executives cited Diligent’s tangible impact as a key motivator for joining. Unlike speculative ventures, Moxi robots have demonstrated staying power in healthcare settings, with clients integrating them into daily workflows. Haq described this as “sticky” adoption, a critical metric for sustainable growth. Brugger added that Diligent’s operational priorities, particularly safety and reliability, mirror those he managed in autonomous vehicles.
Founded in 2017 by Thomaz and Vivian Chu, Diligent has secured over $90 million in funding from investors like Tiger Global and True Ventures. Its robots currently serve more than 25 healthcare networks, with plans to broaden deployments in the coming year. The new leadership appointments signal a pivotal moment as the company transitions from proving its concept to achieving widespread industry adoption.
(Source: TechCrunch)
