MIT research scientist Jerry Pratt has recently announced the founding of a new startup called Persona AI. This venture comes after Pratt’s departure from Figure, a well-funded Bay Area-based robotics firm, where he served as CTO. Pratt’s exit from Figure was amicable and driven in part by geographical considerations, as he was commuting between Pensacola, Florida, and California every two weeks.
Persona AI is still in its early stages, having been officially founded just last month. The startup is the brainchild of Pratt and his longtime associate Nic Radford, who brings impressive industry experience, including seven years at NASA and founding his own robotics companies.
The announcement of Persona AI on LinkedIn served as both a hiring announcement and a brand unveiling. Pratt and Radford are looking to bring on 10 to 20 additional “founders” to help shape the company. They emphasize the importance of creating an esprit de corps and want to illustrate this to the new hires.
At this stage, Persona AI’s pitch aligns with other humanoid firms in the market. Their website celebrates the technological breakthroughs that have made the commercialization of humanoids possible. These breakthroughs include advancements in computer vision and perception algorithms, compact electronics and computation, competent mobility and manipulation algorithms, and the increasing capabilities of machine learning. Investors are also starting to believe in the potential of humanoid robots, and commercial entities are requesting them for various applications.
While Persona AI has not yet revealed its specific competitive advantages over other players like Agility, Boston Dynamics, and Figure, the founders believe they have something unique to offer. Radford compares it to how car companies like GM view themselves against their competitors. Every company may have certain competitive advantages, but ultimately they all provide transportation. Persona AI aims to carve out its own niche in the market.
The company will split its operations between Pensacola and Houston, with Houston serving as the primary headquarters. Pratt’s decision to establish the company in these locations instead of traditional robotics hotspots like Boston or Pittsburgh is a strategic one. It allows him to leverage his existing network in Pensacola and take advantage of the talent pool in Houston.
Overall, Persona AI’s entry into the humanoid robotics space adds to the increasing competition in the industry. With experienced founders and a focus on creating a strong team culture, the startup has the potential to make a significant impact in the field. As the company continues to develop, it will be interesting to see how they differentiate themselves and what unique contributions they bring to the world of humanoids.
