A leadership appointment in the robotics world is drawing attention from car people. WardsAuto reports that Mind Robotics, an industrial robotics company founded by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe in late 2025, has named Doug Field as its president. Field is a former executive at Ford, Apple and Tesla, according to the report, and the appointment was included in the 19 October industry briefing from Mac's Motor City Garage.
The move highlights how closely the car industry and robotics are connected. Vehicle factories are among the most automated workplaces in the world, and many of the skills needed to build vehicles, such as manufacturing engineering, software, batteries and supply chains, also apply to robotics. Executives who have worked at car and technology companies are in demand for that reason.
I have only seen a summary of the announcement, so I do not know the size of Mind Robotics, its products or its funding. WardsAuto's headline refers to the company as Rivian's robotics partner, which suggests a close relationship, though the exact arrangement is not clear from what I saw. Readers who want more detail should look at the company's statement and the trade report.
Why should ordinary readers care? Robotics could change how goods are made, delivered and sold, and the people leading these companies will influence how quickly that happens. For workers, automation raises questions about training and jobs. For consumers, it may affect costs and quality. The appointment is also a sign that experienced industry leaders see robotics as an important area for growth. Watch for announcements on products, customers and manufacturing plans from Mind Robotics in the coming months.
