Diligent Robotics Strengthens Leadership Team for Scaled Growth
Diligent Robotics is making strategic moves to accelerate the expansion of its hospital-assisting humanoid robots by appointing key leaders with proven experience. The startup, known for its Moxi robot that supports clinical staff with non-patient tasks, has brought on two notable Cruise alumni—Rashed Haq as chief technology officer and Todd Brugger as chief operating officer. These hires mark a turning point for the company as it transitions from early-stage development to large-scale deployment. With Cruise’s shutdown earlier in 2025, both Haq and Brugger were available at just the right time for Diligent Robotics to bolster its leadership team and lean into its next growth phase.
Image Credits:Diligent Robotics
The decision to enhance the Diligent Robotics leadership team wasn’t sudden. Co-founder and CEO Andrea Thomaz shared that the startup has spent the past few years refining its operations, deploying around 100 Moxi robots across healthcare facilities. The company’s strategic pace has enabled it to gather data, improve performance, and reduce operational inefficiencies—positioning it for significant growth through 2025 and beyond. Thomaz explained that Diligent was now “ready to scale more dramatically,” and these leadership additions signal a renewed commitment to that mission. The timing aligns with a broader industry trend of deploying AI-driven robotics in healthcare environments to solve staffing and workflow bottlenecks.
Why the Cruise Background Matters in Healthcare Robotics
Both new hires bring unique expertise from Cruise, General Motors' now-defunct autonomous vehicle unit. Rashed Haq, formerly VP and Head of AI and Robotics at Cruise, brings deep technical knowledge, particularly in developing real-world AI systems that operate reliably in unpredictable environments. His skill set is critical for Moxi robots, which must navigate complex hospital spaces and integrate seamlessly with human workflows. Thomaz emphasized that Haq’s experience turning cutting-edge algorithms into functional, field-ready robotics solutions makes him ideal to drive Diligent’s product evolution as it scales nationwide.
Todd Brugger, the former COO at Cruise, brings hands-on experience in operationalizing and scaling high-tech fleets. His track record—from zero to hundreds of self-driving vehicles at Cruise—matches the scale challenge now facing Diligent. According to Thomaz, Brugger’s ability to structure and grow large field operations will be essential as Moxi robots expand into more hospitals, pharmacies, and healthcare networks. Having both technology and operations leaders who have worked together before adds an additional layer of synergy that should benefit Diligent’s scaling efforts.
The Future of Diligent Robotics and Healthcare Automation
With its bolstered Diligent Robotics leadership team, the startup is well-positioned to take advantage of growing demand for automation in healthcare. Hospitals continue to face staffing shortages and rising operational costs, making solutions like Moxi not just appealing but necessary. Moxi robots handle logistics tasks such as delivering lab samples, restocking supplies, and managing medication runs—freeing up human staff to focus on patient care. These seemingly minor tasks represent significant time and labor savings across large hospital systems. The appointment of Haq and Brugger signals that Diligent aims to become a dominant player in healthcare robotics, addressing systemic challenges with scalable, AI-powered solutions.
As Diligent Robotics prepares for aggressive growth, the leadership team’s new configuration ensures the startup is not just technologically advanced but also operationally resilient. With industry veterans guiding AI development and business operations, Diligent is poised to expand its robot fleet efficiently and safely. Expect to see Moxi in more hospitals across the U.S. and, potentially, in international healthcare systems looking to modernize operations. This next chapter for Diligent is less about experimentation and more about execution at scale—backed by leadership with deep experience in turning robotic visions into real-world infrastructure.
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