Dr. David Fan (FieldAI)
Overview
Dr. David Fan is a prominent figure in the field of autonomous robotic systems and artificial intelligence. Currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer at FieldAI since October 2022, Dr. Fan has established himself as an expert in creating adaptive autonomy for field-deployable robots. Before joining FieldAI, he played significant roles in various high-profile projects, through positions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC). His work on the DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge and DARPA RACER programs has contributed immensely to advancements in robotics and AI. Dr. Fan holds a PhD in Robotics from Georgia Tech, where he specialized in integrating machine learning with classical techniques to solve real-world challenges in robotics.
Recent Developments
- August 2025: Dr. Fan was instrumental in FieldAI's efforts to secure more than $400 million in funding, aimed at advancing general-purpose robotics and AI technologies.
- October 2022: Dr. Fan transitioned to Chief Technology Officer at FieldAI, where he focuses on developing foundation models to address complex challenges in autonomous systems.
- August 2021 to October 2022: Served as a leading scientist at NIWC, overseeing contributions to the DARPA RACER program in tandem with NASA JPL.
- 2018 - 2022: Dr. Fan was a Robotics Engineer at NASA JPL where he participated in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge as part of JPL's Team CoSTAR.
- FieldAI has recently launched projects that emphasize the development of risk-aware, reliable autonomy models capable of real-world improvements, under Dr. Fan’s leadership.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. David D. Fan |
| Born | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Chief Technology Officer at FieldAI |
| Known For | Robotics and AI, DARPA SubT Challenge, DARPA RACER |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Education | PhD in Robotics from Georgia Tech |
Early Life and Education
Dr. David Fan emerged as a technological innovator from an early age, showing a keen interest in engineering and robotics. He pursued his undergraduate education at Duke University, securing a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical/Medical Engineering. Subsequently, he attended Texas A&M University, where he completed a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His educational journey culminated at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where he earned his PhD in Robotics. It was during this period that Dr. Fan honed his expertise in combining machine learning with classical systems to advance robotics.
Career and Notable Achievements
Dr. Fan’s career is marked by an illustrious journey through some of the world's leading technology organizations and initiatives:
- FieldAI (Chief Technology Officer, 2022-Present): Leads the development of adaptive autonomous solutions, pivotal in robotic system engineering.
- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Robotics Engineer, 2018-2022): Contributed significantly to the DARPA Subterranean Challenge and advanced aerial mobility projects.
- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC, 2021-2022): Guided the agency's work in DARPA's RACER program, focusing on robotic autonomy.
Current Work and Impact
Dr. David Fan's work at FieldAI is breaking new ground in the domain of autonomous systems. By spearheading projects that focus on machine learning, reinforcement systems, and adaptive technologies, he elevates not only the technical capabilities but also the global application potential of embodied intelligence systems. His leadership enables the dynamic integration of AI models in real-world robotic applications that are deployed globally. FieldAI's pioneering efforts under Dr. Fan’s guidance are contributing significantly to the commercialization of robotics and AI, promising safer and more efficient autonomous systems.
Conclusion
In summary, Dr. David Fan stands as a luminary in the field of robotics and AI. His trajectory from leading advancements in autonomous navigation technology at NASA JPL to his current role as Chief Technology Officer at FieldAI showcases his enduring impact on the field. Through his leadership, FieldAI continues to push boundaries, emphasizing risk-aware and adaptive robotics. Dr. Fan's ongoing innovations are set to leave a lasting legacy, potentially transforming embodied intelligence and its applications worldwide.