Google DeepMind Hires Boston Dynamics Ex-CTO to Boost Robotics Push

Google DeepMind has significantly strengthened its robotics division by appointing Aaron Saunders, the former Chief Technology Officer of Boston Dynamics, as its new Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Saunders brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Boston Dynamics, where he was instrumental in developing the company’s iconic back-flipping and dancing robots. This strategic hire underscores DeepMind’s intensified commitment to creating advanced robotic systems powered by sophisticated artificial intelligence.

DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has articulated a vision where the company’s Gemini AI functions as a universal robot operating system. He likens the strategy to Google’s approach with Android, providing a foundational software layer for various hardware manufacturers. Hassabis explained that the goal is to build an adaptable AI system capable of operating seamlessly across different robotic body types, including both humanoid and non-humanoid designs.

During his time at Boston Dynamics, Saunders contributed to numerous groundbreaking projects. He worked on an amphibious six-legged robot prototype before advancing to Vice President of Engineering in 2018 and ultimately assuming the role of CTO in 2021. Boston Dynamics is renowned for its advanced legged robots, such as the dog-like Spot and the remarkably agile humanoid Atlas.

For years, Google DeepMind has been a prominent force in robotics research. As commercial and industrial interest in humanoid and other advanced robotic forms accelerates, the organization is concentrating its efforts on developing the AI models necessary to control complex physical hardware. Hassabis predicts that AI-powered robotics is on the cusp of a major breakthrough, likely to occur within the next few years.

The competitive landscape in robotics is rapidly evolving. Boston Dynamics is now majority-owned by the South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Company, which acquired its stake from SoftBank. In a parallel development, the components and technical knowledge required for building legged robots have become more widely available, lowering the barrier to entry.

This has spurred a wave of innovation, particularly in the United States, where startups like Agility Robotics, Figure AI, and 1X are actively developing humanoid machines. Tesla, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has also thrown its hat into the ring with ambitious plans to produce millions of its Optimus humanoid robots in the coming decade.

Chinese companies are also making substantial progress, often offering legged robots at significantly lower price points than their American counterparts. Unitree, a robotics firm based in Hangzhou, has recently surpassed Boston Dynamics to become the leading supplier of four-legged robotic systems for industrial applications in sectors such as manufacturing and construction.

While Hassabis acknowledges being impressed by hardware advancements from companies like Unitree, he emphasizes that his primary focus remains on the software intelligence. He expressed particular excitement about the multimodal capabilities of the Gemini model, which he believes is exceptionally well-suited for the complex challenges of robotics, stating that the “AI brain” is the most compelling part of the equation.

(Source: Wired)