Boris Sofman (Bedrock Robotics): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Boris Sofman is a prominent figure in the field of robotics and autonomous technologies, well-known as the co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Robotics, as well as the co-founder and former CEO of Anki, a consumer robotics company. With a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, Sofman has played key roles in pioneering advancements in autonomous vehicles, including leading efforts at Waymo’s autonomous trucking program. Bedrock Robotics, founded by Sofman and other former Waymo leaders, focuses on bringing autonomy to the construction industry by upgrading heavy machinery with advanced AI and machine learning technologies. This article explores Sofman’s career, key achievements, and the innovative impact of Bedrock Robotics while touching on his earlier ventures including Anki and his tenure at Waymo.

1. Early Career and Education

Boris Sofman’s journey in robotics began at Carnegie Mellon University’s renowned Robotics Institute, where he completed his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Robotics. During his doctoral studies, Sofman focused on machine learning techniques to improve off-road autonomous vehicle capabilities. This strong academic foundation enabled him to work on complex robotic systems, paving the way for his future entrepreneurial and leadership roles. Sofman’s early exposure to robotics research at CMU helped him develop a holistic understanding of autonomy, perception, navigation, and AI necessary for real-world robotic applications.

2. Co-founding Anki: Bringing Robotics to Consumers

In 2010, Boris Sofman co-founded Anki alongside Mark Palatucci and Hanns Tappeiner, with the vision of bringing advanced robotics and artificial intelligence into the mass consumer market. Anki launched innovative products such as Anki Drive, a real-world video game combining physical toy cars controlled via mobile devices, and later, the social and educational robot Cozmo. Under Sofman’s leadership as CEO, Anki raised over $200 million in venture funding and shipped more than 3.5 million devices worldwide, generating close to $100 million in annual revenue by 2017. Anki’s products were celebrated for blending AI with engaging physical play, and for making robotics accessible and fun to a wide audience.

3. Leadership at Waymo: Advancing Autonomous Trucking

After Anki ceased operations in 2019 due to funding challenges, Boris Sofman joined Waymo as Director of Engineering, leading the autonomous trucking program. At Waymo, Sofman headed efforts to apply cutting-edge machine learning and autonomy technologies developed for driverless cars to heavy commercial trucks. His team successfully advanced Waymo’s self-driving fleets, which have operated tens of millions of driverless miles with exceptional safety records across multiple U.S. cities. This experience reinforced Sofman’s commitment to scalable, practical robotics solutions for complex, real-world environments.

4. Founding Bedrock Robotics: Revolutionizing Construction Automation

Building upon his successes at Waymo, in 2024 Boris Sofman co-founded Bedrock Robotics with fellow Waymo and Segment executives. Bedrock Robotics emerged from stealth in 2025 with $80 million in seed and Series A funding led by venture firms such as 8VC and Eclipse. The company is pioneering autonomous construction technology by retrofitting existing heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers with AI-powered autonomy kits. These upgrades allow machines to operate safely and precisely with greater efficiency, empowering construction firms to address labor shortages, accelerate project timelines, and reduce costs. Bedrock’s system integrates advanced sensors including lidar and cameras, leverages machine learning for environmental adaptation, and enables worksite monitoring and real-time progress tracking.

5. Bedrock Robotics San Francisco: Location and Team

Based in San Francisco, Bedrock Robotics is led by CEO Boris Sofman and CTO Kevin Peterson, both former Waymo engineers. The company has a growing team composed of experts in AI, robotics, systems engineering, and construction operations. Bedrock’s technology is already deployed on active construction projects across Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, and California in partnership with major contractors such as Sundt Construction and Zachry Construction Corporation. The San Francisco headquarters serves as the innovation hub where the team iterates on hardware, software, and machine learning models designed specifically for challenging construction environments.

6. The Technical Vision Behind Bedrock Robotics

Bedrock Robotics applies a machine learning-centered approach to overcome the complexity of autonomous operations in unstructured environments like construction sites. Unlike traditional robotics that rely heavily on engineered rules, Bedrock’s system uses deep learning to generalize across diverse terrain and unpredictable conditions. The autonomy kit installs onto existing machines with reversible hardware and software, preserving the owners’ fleets while enhancing capabilities. Key features include centimeter-level geolocation accuracy using GPS and inertial measurement units, sensor fusion with multiple cameras and lidar, and intelligent workflow management software that enables superhuman precision and build quality.

7. Boris Sofman and Anki: A Legacy of Consumer Robotics Innovation

Sofman’s leadership at Anki remains one of his most recognized accomplishments within the consumer robotics industry. Products like Cozmo not only entertained millions but also introduced children to coding and AI concepts through playful interaction with a characterful robot. The company’s innovative blend of hardware engineering and character-driven AI set new standards in how robotics could engage emotionally and educationally with users. Although Anki ultimately closed due to financial hurdles, its legacy influenced many startups and highlighted the challenges and potential of consumer robotics.

8. Challenges and Opportunities in Construction Robotics

Bedrock Robotics operates in a construction industry facing a critical workforce shortage of over 500,000 skilled laborers in the U.S. alone, with 40% of workers expected to retire within a decade. Simultaneously, demands for infrastructure, data centers, and housing continue to rise. Sofman believes that autonomous construction machinery can help bridge this gap, improving productivity, safety, and project predictability. However, challenges in this sector include regulatory hurdles, site variability, equipment diversity, and integration with existing workflows. Bedrock’s approach to retrofit existing machines and work closely with contractors mitigates some of these challenges.

9. Boris Sofman and Anki: Impact on Robotics and AI

Beyond product innovation, Boris Sofman’s career has advanced the broader field of robotics and artificial intelligence. Through his roles at Anki, Waymo, and now Bedrock Robotics, he has demonstrated how academic research can transition into impactful real-world applications. His work highlights the importance of merging AI with reliable hardware, managing complex systems engineering, and building teams capable of scaling ambitious technical visions. Sofman exemplifies the robotics entrepreneur who bridges advanced technology and tangible products.

10. Future Prospects: The Road Ahead for Bedrock Robotics

Bedrock Robotics aims to achieve fully autonomous operation in construction machinery, with plans for initial operator-less deployment by 2026. With growing market interest, funding, and partnerships, the company seeks to expand its product line beyond excavators to a broader range of heavy equipment. Its vision includes transforming the construction landscape by enabling machines to work safely around the clock, reducing project timeframes and costs, and supporting vital national infrastructure goals. Led by Sofman’s robotics expertise and experience in autonomy, Bedrock Robotics stands poised to be a key player in the ongoing industrial automation revolution.

Conclusion

Boris Sofman’s trajectory from a robotics scholar at Carnegie Mellon to a serial entrepreneur and leader in autonomous technology illustrates a remarkable fusion of innovation, technical rigor, and business acumen. Through Anki, Sofman made consumer robotics accessible and engaging, pushing the envelope in AI-driven toys. His leadership at Waymo brought significant advances in autonomous trucking, navigating complex real-world challenges. Now, with Bedrock Robotics, Sofman targets one of the most critical sectors of the economy — construction — aiming to revolutionize productivity with autonomous heavy machinery. The company’s unique retrofit kits and machine learning-based systems address pressing labor shortages and infrastructure demands, signaling a promising future. Sofman’s work reflects how robotics and AI are increasingly intertwined with foundational industries, shaping the future of work and technology.