Warehouse robot maker Ultra Robotics bags $62M

Ultra Robotics has secured $62 million in funding for its warehouse robot, OP1 Operator. This investment came in two rounds, with the majority, $50 million, being a Series A investment led by Framework Ventures. Y Combinator and NextView Ventures were also involved in the seed round. The OP1 Operator is a humanoid robot attached to a robotic arm, equipped with grippers resembling forklift prongs for handling tasks.

It can reach up to 10 feet high, allowing it to pick items off shelves and return them if they fall. The robot automates tasks such as sorting, kitting, and packaging, making it efficient for processing inbound shipments. Workers can manually move the robot between warehouse sections, as it is plugged into a standard wall outlet, eliminating the need for battery charging and maintenance.

Ultra Robotics plans to use the funding to advance engineering and expand the use of its robots. The company's founder and CEO, Jon Miller Schwartz, emphasizes that OP1 Operator is already making a significant difference in real-world operations.