17 physical AI startups to watch, according to VCs
In recent years, AI systems have been expanding their reach beyond generating content to entering the physical world. According to Daphné Leprince-Ringuet, a senior reporter for Sifted based in Paris, the focus is now on developing AI technologies that can interact with the real world. This shift has led to an increase in funding for physical AI startups.
One such startup is Exclaim Robotics, a Zurich-based company that recently came out of stealth mode and raised $4.95 million. The startup is set to develop repair robots for hyperscale data centers, with veteran roboticist Helen Oleynikova leading the team. This investment highlights the growing interest in physical AI applications in the data center industry.
European robotics startups have shown remarkable growth in funding recently. In just six months, they raised more capital than they did in the previous two years combined. Neura Robotics, a French startup, recently secured a €1.2 billion raise, making it the largest robotics funding round in Europe to date.
There is also significant interest from venture capital firms in physical AI startups. SoftBank, a renowned venture capital firm, is reportedly eyeing an acquisition of Gravis Robotics, a spinout from ETH Zurich. Gravis Robotics is developing an autonomous platform for heavy industrial vehicles, demonstrating the potential for AI to transform various sectors beyond the data center.
Written by urgent.news from Sifted's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
