🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Investors are betting on AI to solve robotics’ oldest problems

• Robots have been around for decades, yet only 29% of warehouses used any automation by 2025. Many systems still break down when conditions change or when setup gets complicated 1.
• Mind Robotics plans to use artificial intelligence to build a “cognitive brain” for industrial robots. The goal involves machines that sense their surroundings and choose actions without rigid pre-programming 2.
• This work tackles a common weakness in older robots. They often cannot handle new products or surprise changes without time-consuming reprogramming that drives up costs 1.
• Mind Robotics raised a US$500 million Series A as investors chase a market projected to pass US$111 billion by 2033 2.

Rivian’s spin-out strategy aims to unlock trapped technology value

• Rivian spun out Mind Robotics from its electric-vehicle business to run it as a standalone company. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe chairs Mind Robotics’ board 3.
• Rivian has been developing custom silicon (custom chips designed in-house). Scaringe told TechCrunch the chips could be sold to Mind Robotics.
• The “develop and spin-out” approach could offer a template for other advanced manufacturers. It can turn in-house projects like factory automation into separate businesses funded by outside investors.