This oral history features David Bruemmer, founder of Adaptive Motion Group (AMG), discussing his journey from childhood in Scotland to pioneering autonomous systems in robotics. Bruemmer emphasizes the importance of precise positioning and distributed autonomy in creating safe, efficient motion systems that integrate humans and machines. Drawing from his early fascination with robotics and experience at DARPA, he critiques centralized, server-dependent models of control in AI and autonomous vehicles. Instead, he advocates for peer-to-peer, fault-tolerant systems that enhance human autonomy and environmental awareness.
He also shares insights on entrepreneurship, storytelling as a vehicle for technological impact, and the deep connection between philosophical principles and real-world innovation. Throughout, Bruemmer reflects on the importance of ethical, intuitive, and human-centered technology as both a technical and societal imperative.