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  3. Steve Cousins
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Steve Cousins

Steve Cousins

Executive Director / Stanford Robotics Center

CountryUnited States
EducationPhD, Stanford University
Known ForRobotics, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, Machine Learning
LinkedIn3,724
TechnologyRoboticsAcademia
LinkedIn Followers
3,724
Companies Founded
2
Companies Spun Off
8
Years as CEO
15+
Search More

About Steve Cousins

Steve Cousins is a prominent figure in the robotics industry, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Stanford Robotics Center. He is the founder of Relay Robotics (formerly Savioke), where he developed and deployed the autonomous delivery robot, Relay. Previously, he was the CEO of Willow Garage, where he oversaw the creation of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and the PR2 robot, and spun off eight companies.

Career

Stanford Robotics Center
Stanford Robotics Center

Executive Director, Stanford Robotics Center

Nov 2023 - Present
Position

Executive Director, Stanford Robotics Center

Open Source Robotics Foundation
Open Source Robotics Foundation

Member Board of Directors

Jul 2012 - Present
Responsibilities

The non-profit Open Source Robotics Foundation supports and enhances the Robot Operating System (ROS) and other robotics software, such as the Gazebo simulator.

Relay Robotics
Relay Robotics

Chief Technology Officer

May 2022 - Sep 2024
Position

Chief Technology Officer

Savioke
Savioke

CEO

Sep 2013 - May 2022
Responsibilities

Savioke is creating autonomous robotic technology to help people in the services industry.

Open Perception
Open Perception

Member Board of Directors

Jun 2012 - Jan 2020
Position

Member Board of Directors

Redwood Robotics
Redwood Robotics

Member Board of Directors

Oct 2011 - Oct 2013
Responsibilities

Served from creation of the company through its acquisition.

Willow Garage, Inc
Willow Garage, Inc

CEO

May 2007 - Sep 2013
Responsibilities

During my tenure, Willow Garage created the PR2 robot, the open source TurtleBot, and the robot operating system (ROS), and spun off 8 companies:

Suitable Technologies (maker of the Beam remote presence system)

Industrial Perception, Inc.

Redwood Robotics

HiDOF (ROS and robotics consulting)

Unbounded Robotics (still in stealth mode)

The Open Source Robotics Foundation

The OpenCV Foundation

The Open Perception Foundation

IBM Research
IBM Research

Senior Manager

Nov 2003 - Apr 2007
Responsibilities

Led one of the top Human-Computer Interaction Research groups in the world at the Almaden Research Center. Developed connections to product groups within IBM, and was the liaison to the Consumer Products Industry team in IBM for all of IBM Research.

Palo Alto Research Center
Palo Alto Research Center

Lab Manager

1999 - 2003
Responsibilities

Managed the Advanced Systems Development laboratory, which was responsible for bringing research from PARC closer to commercialization. As a member of PARC's senior staff during its transition out of Xerox, I worked on strategies for sustaining PARC as an independent company. Lab Manager 1999 - 2003 · 4 yrs

Palo Alto Research Center
Palo Alto Research Center

Member of Research Staff

1997 - 1999
Responsibilities

Explored web services and led an effort to improve the document information infrastructure. Results were published and transferred to a Xerox product division. Member of Research Staff 1997 - 1999 · 2 yrs

Interval Research
Interval Research

Research Associate

1993 - 1996
Responsibilities

Worked on clustering and a multi-media browser (early DVR prototype) part time during my PhD program.

Medical Informatics Laboratory, Washington University School of Medicine
Medical Informatics Laboratory, Washington University School of Medicine

Researcher

Jul 1988 - Aug 1992
Responsibilities

Did research and published papers about hypertext in medicine and information systems to support diabetes management.

Education

Stanford University
Stanford University

PhD

Sep 1992 - Aug 1997
Field of Study

PhD - Computer Science

Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis

BS

Sep 1982 - Dec 1987
Field of Study

BS - MS

Skills

Core technical, research, and professional competencies in robotics and AI.

Technical & Research

Robotics

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

Computer Vision

Human Computer Interaction

Computer Science

Algorithms

Software Engineering

Leadership & Strategy

Executive Leadership

Strategic Planning

Venture Spin-offs

Research Management

Business Development

Product Vision

Open Source Strategy

Programming & Tools

Python

C++

Java

Linux

Software Development

Distributed Systems

Embedded Systems

Domains

Primary

Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source Software (ROS), Academia

Secondary

Service Automation, Human-Computer Interaction, Enterprise Technology

Tags

Personality

Visionary, Entrepreneurial, Academic, Pioneer, Open-Source Advocate

Focus

Robotics Commercialization, Research to Product, Future of Automation

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Frequently Asked Questions

A factual summary of Steve Cousins' career highlights, focusing on his executive roles and contributions to the robotics industry.

What is his role at Stanford Robotics Center?

Since November 2023, Steve Cousins has served as the Executive Director of the Stanford Robotics Center at Stanford University.

Did Steve Cousins found Relay Robotics (Savioke)?

Yes, he founded Savioke in 2013, which was later rebranded as Relay Robotics, developing the autonomous delivery robot, Relay.

What did Willow Garage create under Steve Cousins?

As CEO of Willow Garage, he oversaw the creation of the open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) and the PR2 research robot.

How many companies did Willow Garage spin off?

During his tenure as CEO, Willow Garage successfully spun off eight separate robotics companies into the industry.

Is Steve Cousins involved with Open Source Robotics Foundation?

Yes, he has been involved with the Open Source Robotics Foundation since July 2012, according to his career timeline.

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