Ex-Amazon AI Chief Rohit Prasad Takes Helm at Boston Dynamics

Hyundai-owned robotics company Boston Dynamics announced on Tuesday that Rohit Prasad, former Amazon Senior Vice President and Head Scientist for AI and Alexa, will become its new CEO effective Wednesday. Prasad will lead the company as it moves toward large-scale humanoid robot manufacturing.

Prasad previously oversaw AI model development at Amazon and led improvements to Alexa's chatbot-style features. According to a 2024 Wall Street Journal profile, he accelerated internal AI efforts after being impressed by ChatGPT's release.

Boston Dynamics is known for its Atlas humanoid robot. The company has said it plans to transition into a manufacturer of humanoid robots at scale, with robots expected to perform industrial tasks in Hyundai and Kia factories. In May 2026, Boston Dynamics told investors it aimed to produce 30,000 Atlas robots by 2028, with 5,000 for retail and 25,000 for use in its own automotive plants. Hyundai's Savannah, Georgia factory is also expected to partly become a robot production facility.

The appointment follows the resignation of former CEO Robert Playter and reported senior management departures. Reports have said Boston Dynamics was producing only about four Atlas robots per month. Industry estimates cited by local media put the production cost of one Atlas unit at roughly $130,000 to $140,000, potentially falling to about $30,000 once output reaches 50,000 units.

Prasad's background is primarily in AI rather than robotics. Boston Dynamics' announcement highlighted the concept of "physical AI," with Prasad stating that the company is uniquely positioned to advance physical AI through its world-class robotics expertise.