Amazon Alexa Leader Takes Helm at Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics has appointed Rohit Prasad, former leader of Amazon Alexa, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 7, 2026. Prasad, who spent over 12 years at Amazon leading Alexa development, will drive the company's innovation and commercialization efforts. His expertise in transforming cutting-edge AI research into consumer products aligns with Boston Dynamics' goal of scaling its robots for industrial use.
Prasad's background also includes significant contributions to the Amazon Nova foundation model family, which are large AI systems powering chatbots and assistants. Before Amazon, he worked on machine learning at Raytheon BBN Technologies for nearly 14 years. Boston Dynamics, known for its advanced robotics hardware, is now focusing on integrating AI with robotic machines, a concept it calls Physical AI.
The leadership change follows the departure of Robert Playter in February 2026, with Amanda McMaster serving as interim CEO. Boston Dynamics has been a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group since 2021. The company's product lineup includes Spot, Stretch, and Atlas, with plans to deploy Atlas units in Hyundai's Georgia facility by 2028.
Prasad's appointment is seen as crucial for Hyundai's long-term investment in robotics. His experience in scaling AI products will be instrumental in transitioning Boston Dynamics from an engineering marvel to an industrial supplier. The company's success will hinge on AI-driven upgrades to its existing robots and progress on the Atlas deployment.