Hiten Sonpal Takes the Helm as CEO of RISE® Robotics
“RISE Robotics has a tremendous opportunity to make a significant impact across various industries, from logistics to manufacturing to defense”
RISE® Robotics is excited to announce the appointment of Hiten Sonpal as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Sonpal, a distinguished leader in the robotics and automation sectors, is set to drive RISE Robotics into its next phase of growth and innovation with his extensive experience and visionary approach.
Sonpal’s impressive career spans several prominent roles, including President at Electric Sheep Robotics, Chief Product Officer and CEO at Mowbot, and key positions at iRobot where he played a pivotal role in leading engineering and product initiatives. His leadership has been critical in the successful shipment of millions of units across various product lines, underscoring his ability to scale operations and achieve significant business impact.
“I am excited to be part of RISE Robotics and to lead such a talented team,” Sonpal stated. “The founders and executive team have uniquely positioned RISE to revolutionize the hydraulics industry with our innovative belt technology. Our mission is to replace every linear hydraulic actuator on Earth with our more efficient and productive solutions.”
Since joining RISE Robotics in May, Sonpal has already made notable strides, including realigning the company’s project portfolio and launching a groundbreaking 12-week program that allows employees to work on passion projects every Friday. This initiative aims to tap into the internal motivation of the team, fostering creativity and enhancing the company’s technological capabilities.
“I am excited for RISE because Hiten’s fresh perspective and extensive experience are exactly what we need as we accelerate,” said Arron Acosta, Co-Founder and VP of Business Development at RISE and Former CEO. “I worked with Hiten leading up to this transition, and I am enjoying working with him now and supporting his leadership.”
Sonpal’s strategic focus includes expediting the time to market for RISE Robotics’ products, starting with the company’s sampling program and reigniting the paused liftgate project. He emphasizes the importance of speed over size in seizing market opportunities, ensuring RISE Robotics remains agile and impactful in the industrial sector.
“RISE Robotics has a tremendous opportunity to make a significant impact across various industries, from logistics to manufacturing to defense,” Sonpal added. “Our technology not only increases productivity but also enhances efficiency, allowing our customers to boost revenue per employee while simultaneously reducing operational expenses. Additionally, these efficiency improvements contribute to broader societal goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from gas-powered machinery and reducing the battery size required for mobile electric machinery.”
The RISE Robotics team is enthusiastic about the future under Sonpal’s leadership and anticipates continued growth and success.
About RISE® Robotics
RISE® Robotics is at the forefront of next-generation actuation solutions, revolutionizing the hydraulics industry with its proprietary belt technology. Founded in 2011 by graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), RISE Robotics is supported by The Engine, a Tough Tech venture capital fund created by MIT, Greentown Labs, and Techstars. The company is dedicated to achieving zero-emission heavy machinery through its highly efficient and productive alternative to hydraulics, the RISE Beltdraulic™. Designed for medium and heavy-duty applications, Beltdraulic delivers fuel, emissions, and sound reductions, enhances productivity, and extends machine life. For more information, visit RISE Robotics.
