Symbotic CTO James Kuffner keynote examines logistics automation
Symbotic, an automation provider that develops, builds, and deploys systems for Walmart, will be keynoting Robotics Summit & Expo 2025 (April 30-May 1 in Boston). Symbotic CTO James Kuffner will deliver a talk called “The Future of Intelligent Automated Logistics” from 10-10:45 AM on April 30 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Kuffner will discuss how the rapid progress in machine learning, computer vision, and perception, as well as increased computing power, have enabled a new generation of intelligent robots that can operate reliably in semi-structured environments like warehouses. Innovative new algorithms for multi-robot motion and task planning will scale the technology even further, creating exciting new opportunities for the future of intelligent automated logistics.
Kuffner aims to answer the question: How do you orchestrate in real-time a fleet of thousands of warehouse robots to manage the movement of millions of cartons per day?
Symbotic kicked off 2025 by acquiring Walmart’s Advanced Systems and Robotics business. Symbotic said the transaction expands its relationship with Walmart with the goal of “developing an integrated supply chain.”
Symbotic will also be exhibiting in Booth 100 on the Robotics Summit showfloor.
Additionally, the company is a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award honoree for its logistics robots.
Symbotic CTO James Kuffner.
Kuffner a robotics pioneer with 30-plus years experience
Symbotic named Kuffner CTO in January 2025, just a week before it announced the Walmart deal. In his role, Kuffner is responsible for building and advancing all of Symbotic’s technologies and solutions.
Before joining Symbotic, Kuffner was at Toyota Motor Corporation, where he held several leadership roles during his long tenure. Most recently, he was a Senior Fellow in charge of the company’s Software Development Center, after serving as Toyota’s Chief Digital Officer and Member of the Board.
Previously, Kuffner was a leader at Google for various engineering functions, including as the head of Google’s Robotics division, where he helped develop Google’s self-driving car and managed research projects. Before Google, James was an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, leading research and teaching both computer science and robotics.
As the author of 125 publications and 40 patents in 3D graphics, robotics, and autonomous vehicles, Kuffner is known as the co-inventor of the Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm for robot motion planning. James has a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in computer science from Stanford University. In 2010, Kuffner coined the term “cloud robotics” to describe how network-connected robots could take advantage of distributed computation and data stored in the cloud.
More about the Robotics Summit
Robotics Summit & Expo 2025, produced by The Robot Report, will bring together 5,000+ attendees focused on building robots for various commercial industries. Attendees will gain insights into the latest enabling technologies, engineering best practices, emerging trends and more.
The show will have 50-plus educational sessions in tracks on artificial intelligence, design and development, enabling technologies, healthcare, and logistics. The Engineering Theater on the show floor will also feature presentations by industry experts. Joining Kuffner as keynote speakers are Boston Dynamics CTO Aaron Saunders, Aaron Parness, Amazon Robotics’ Director of Applied Science in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Daniela Rus, Director of MIT CSAIL, and Aadeel Akhtar, CEO & Founder of Psyonic.
The expo hall will have 200+ exhibitors showcasing the latest enabling technologies, products, and services that can help robotics engineers throughout their development journeys.
The Robotics Summit also offers numerous networking opportunities, a Career Fair, a robotics development challenge, the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards Gala, and much more.
