Marc Raibert

Marc Raibert is the founder and former CEO (1992-2019) and president of Boston Dynamics, a company recognized for developing advanced robots that mimic animal movement. His career in robotics spans several decades, beginning in academia before transitioning to entrepreneurship. Raibert's research has consistently focused on dynamically moving systems, including robots and animated creatures, which he often showcases in his engaging lectures alongside his robotic creations.

Before establishing Boston Dynamics in 1992, Raibert was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he taught Electrical Engineering and Computer Science until 1995. He also served as an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University from 1980 to 1986. During his tenure at Carnegie Mellon, he founded the Leg Laboratory, which significantly advanced the scientific understanding of dynamic robots. His academic contributions are well-regarded, and in 2008, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of his pioneering work.

Boston Dynamics, under Raibert's leadership, developed a reputation for producing robots notable for their agility, mobility, dexterity, and speed. These robots, such as BigDog, Atlas, Spot, and Handle, became widely recognized through viral videos showcasing their lifelike capabilities and acrobatics. Raibert's vision was to create robots capable of navigating diverse terrains, akin to humans or animals, incorporating sophisticated mechanical designs and cutting-edge technology. This vision attracted significant attention and investment, leading to the acquisition of Boston Dynamics by Google (Alphabet) in 2013 for $500 million, and its subsequent sale to Softbank in 2017 for $100 million.