Pickle Robot is on a mission to automate loading and unloading trucks - one of the most difficult human logistics tasks.
Our Core Values
Customer Need is Greater than Technology
The problems we solve are human problems, not technical ones. We work to understand what customers need, we validate rather than assume, and we deliver products that make people’s lives better.
Be in the Trenches
All labor is skilled labor. Information is contained in people and process. We go where things happen, cultivate empathy, and acquire context. We show passion, enthusiasm, and effort: these are infectious in person!
Practice Freedom & Responsibility
Good judgment is more effective and enjoyable than policies: individuals have the most local context to make decisions. We take risks responsibly, but freely and we support the decision making of our teammates. We have a strong bias for action and we trust each other.
Embrace Creative Conflict
Differing points of view and opinions lead us to better ideas and solutions because conflict avoided is conflict multiplied. We give each other the benefit of the doubt, assume positive intent and assume informed perspective. We center discussion on ideas and experiments, and we engage and listen, especially in disagreement.
Implement Early, Often, and to Completion
Companies succeed on growth rates: small steps compound geometrically. We iterate frequently to keep integrations manageable, balance plucking low hanging fruit with solving key problems in reverse risk order and celebrate small wins.
Ruthlessly Simplify
Robots are complicated: “keep it simple” applies more strongly in our domain. We search for root causes, build from first principles, and solve problems we have today over problems we might have tomorrow. Simple ≠ easy. We take the extra effort to simplify.
Meet the leadership team bringing Physical AI to Supply Chain Automation.
Physical AI combines Generative AI, transformers, and large foundation models with intelligent robotics to commercially impact the physical economy enabling robots to do physical work at human scale or better. We call this “Physical AI,” and it is the secret to Pickle’s success.
AJ Meyer
Founder & CEO
AJ is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in Generative AI, robotics control systems, and strong ties to the MIT Engineering community. He founded and continues to run three technology companies – Industry Labs, Leaf Labs, and the Pickle Robot Company. Industry Labs is a tech startup co-working company with several locations in the Boston area. Leaf Labs is an R&D firm that specializes in deep tech software/hardware projects including brain implantable devices and cutting-edge prototypes for clients including Google and Facebook. Pickle Robot is the leader in Physical AI which combines Generative AI and foundation models with vision systems and industrial robotics to create automation products that do physical work at human scale or better. AJ has a BA in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT.
Ariana Eisenstein
Founder & CTO
Ari is known for building and leading high performing software and hardware teams that solve novel challenges. Her team at Pickle is leading the commercialization of Physical AI enabling robots to do physical work that delivers ROI for customers. Prior to Pickle, Ari developed an FPGA platform for testing computer vision algorithms developed in hardware at MIT and lead HDL development for neuro-technology programs at Leaf Labs. Ari has a bachelor’s degree in computer science and electrical engineering and a master’s degree in computer engineering; both from MIT.
Dan Paluska
Founder & VP of Robotics
Dan is known for developing walking robots, prosthetics, and practical applications of
nascent technology. His role at pickle includes culture, recruiting, and technology
strategy work. He is committed to the practice of building a strong team for solving real
customer problems. He designed and built walking robots (featured on the cover of
Wired magazine) and robotic prosthetics and orthotics that are making people’s lives
better. Dan has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT
while working in research labs in the Artificial Intelligence Lab, Leg Laboratory, and
Media Lab.
Peter Santos
Chief Operating Officer
Peter is responsible for field operations, manufacturing, finance, and HR at Pickle. His experience includes being the CEO of Audience, a publicly traded mobile voice processor provider which he joined in 2004, took public in 2012, and led to a strategic sale in 2015. From 2015-2017, he was General Partner at Blue Bear Ventures, a venture capital firm associated with the leading technology incubator at UC Berkeley. He was also CEO of a wireless power transmission startup launched from Caltech. Peter’s experience includes holding board seats with or advising venture- backed startups in asset tracking, quantum computing, RF antennas, GPS technology, and automotive batteries. Peter holds a BA in chemistry from Colby College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.
Tate Allen
VP of Sales
Tate brings over 20 years of sales strategy expertise to his commercial leadership role at Pickle. He has held multiple senior positions with leading robotics and automation companies, where he developed sales strategies, managed operations, identified new markets, and helped grow revenues and improve profit margins. Prior to Pickle, Tate lead sales for Elementary ML, a machine vision startup, closed enterprise accounts at Berkshire Grey, a robotics piece picking solution provider, and lead the Americas Logistics Sales team at Cognex. Tate has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from Babson College.
Pete Blair
VP of Product & Marketing
Pete leads with a customer first approach that balances strategy with execution to deliver innovative products and build world-class organizations. Pete’s experience ranges from supply chain operations to consulting to technology development and marketing for both enterprise companies and startups. Prior to Pickle, Pete ran marketing for Berkshire Grey, a robotics piece picking solution provider, served on the leadership team at Kiva Systems and Amazon Robotics, consulted for IBM, and held various leadership roles in distribution operations at The Home Depot. Pete has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and operations research from Cornell University.
Have questions?
Request information from one of our team members.
We are happy to answer any questions, and discuss how Pickle can help your business.
What We Do
Pickle’s Physical AI technology enables robots to do manual work at human scale or better.
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Pickle’s Robotic Unload Systems have a typical payback of less than 18 months.
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Featured News
MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING
MMH Staff, Dec 6, 2023
In the logistics industry, transloading—the manual unloading of huge amounts of cargo from ocean containers—is strenuous, dirty, and occasionally hazardous. To address this, Yusen Logistics implemented Pickle Robot's autonomous carton unloading system at its Long Beach facility.
SUPPLYCHAIN DIVE
Max Garland, Oct 2, 2023
This year, 57% of UPS volume first processed at U.S. hubs went through automated facilities, up from 53% in 2022, CEO Carol Tomé said in a Q2 earnings call.
These new technologies aim to make employees’ jobs easier and safer as UPS gears up to recruit a wave of workers for the holidays.
DC VELOCITY
Victoria Kickham, April 19, 2023
There may finally be a solution to filling one of the least desirable jobs in the warehouse: trailer unloading. The physically demanding position requires workers to swiftly lift and move heavy boxes out of a trailer, which remains exposed to the elements while on the loading dock.
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