Name: Marc Raibert
Role:
Executive Director of The AI Institute; Chairman and Founder of Boston Dynamics.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Marc Raibert’s net worth is estimated at $666 million.
Profile Overview:
Marc Raibert is an American roboticist, entrepreneur, and pioneer in the field of robotics. He is the founder and Chairman of Boston Dynamics, a company renowned for creating advanced robots such as BigDog, Atlas, Spot, and Handle. Currently serving as the Executive Director of The AI Institute, Raibert focuses on solving fundamental challenges in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). With over four decades of experience in academia and industry, he has significantly advanced the development of dynamic robots capable of highly agile and human-like movements. Recognized globally for his contributions, Raibert has received numerous accolades, including induction into the National Academy of Engineering and the IEEE Robotics Pioneer Award.
Bio:
Marc Raibert was born on December 22, 1949, in New York City. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University in 1973 and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1977. His doctoral research focused on motor control and learning using state-space models.
Raibert began his academic career as a member of the technical staff at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He later became an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University (1981–1985), where he founded the Leg Laboratory to study dynamic legged locomotion. In 1986, he joined MIT as a professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, continuing his research on highly dynamic robots.
In 1992, Raibert founded Boston Dynamics to commercialize his work on legged robots. Under his leadership as CEO until 2019 and now as Chairman, Boston Dynamics developed some of the world’s most advanced robots. The company was acquired by Google in 2013, SoftBank in 2017, and Hyundai Motor Group in 2020. In 2022, Raibert founded The AI Institute to address fundamental questions in robotics and AI.
Marc Raibert’s Role in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence:
Marc Raibert has been at the forefront of robotics innovation for decades. At Carnegie Mellon University and MIT, he pioneered research on legged locomotion, developing the first self-balancing hopping robots—a breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern dynamic robots.
As founder of Boston Dynamics, Raibert led the development of iconic robots like BigDog (a quadrupedal robot for military applications), Atlas (a humanoid robot), Spot (a versatile robot for industrial use), and Handle (a robot designed for warehouse automation). These robots have set new standards for mobility, agility, and real-world applications.
At The AI Institute, Raibert now focuses on advancing robotics by integrating AI to create machines with enhanced intelligence and adaptability. His vision is to push bipedal and quadrupedal robotics to a “supernatural” level of capability.
Nationality:
American
Age:
75 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University (1973).
- Ph.D.: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT (1977).
Sources of Wealth:
- Boston Dynamics: Founder and Chairman; developed groundbreaking robots.
- The AI Institute: Executive Director advancing robotics research.
- Academic Career: Professorships at MIT and Carnegie Mellon University.
- Awards & Speaking Engagements: Keynotes at TED, WebSummit, and other global forums.
- Consulting & Advisory Roles: Member of boards like Nimble Robotics.
Random Fact:
Two of Marc Raibert’s robots—BigDog and Spot—were inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2008 and 2012 respectively.
Marc Raibert’s career reflects his lifelong dedication to advancing robotics through innovation and collaboration between academia and industry. His work continues to shape the future of intelligent machines globally.
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