The world of robotics is buzzing with anticipation as two tech giants, SoftBank Group and Nvidia, are reportedly in advanced discussions to make a significant investment in the AI-powered robotics firm, Skild AI.
Sources and a term sheet seen by Reuters suggest the investment could be part of a funding round exceeding $1 billion, which would potentially value Skild AI at approximately $14 billion.
A Skyrocketing Valuation
This massive valuation would be a staggering leap for the company. Earlier this year, in its Series B round, Skild AI commanded a valuation of $4.7 billion. According to PitchBook data, that round included investments from Nvidia, Samsung, and LG’s venture capital arm. If the current deal is successful, the valuation will have nearly tripled in a matter of months.
The Brain for All Robots
Founded in 2023 by former Meta AI researchers and backed by major players like Amazon.com and Lightspeed Venture Partners, Skild AI aims to tackle a major challenge: creating universal software—the “brain”—that can be deployed across general-purpose machines in factories and homes.
The company focuses exclusively on developing AI foundation models for robots of all shapes and sizes. They do not build their own hardware. Skild AI has stated that its technology leverages vast data sets to teach robots human-like perception and decision-making skills.
In July, Skild AI unveiled its first general-purpose AI model, claiming the system is capable of adapting to various tasks and environments, ranging from complex warehouse logistics to routine household chores.
Investor Enthusiasm and Industry Caution
The potential deal highlights the intense investor interest currently driving the humanoid robotics sector. Advances in AI are rapidly increasing the capability of these robots to handle complex tasks.
However, many experts urge caution. Truly general-purpose robotic applications remain technically demanding and may still be years away from achieving widespread, daily adoption.
The talks remain fluid, and some details could change, a source noted, adding that the deal is anticipated to close before the Christmas holiday.
SoftBank’s Robotics Strategy
Robotics is a critical component of CEO Masayoshi Son’s strategic vision for SoftBank. The company recently underscored this commitment by acquiring the robotics business of Swiss engineering group ABB in a $5.4 billion deal in October.
A person familiar with the matter, requesting anonymity as the details were private, indicated that SoftBank was highly impressed with Skild’s technology during pilot projects.
“Skild AI and SoftBank did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Nvidia declined to comment,” Reuters reported.
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