SoftBank Group and Nvidia are reportedly in discussions to lead a significant investment round exceeding $1 billion in Skild AI, a software company specializing in foundational robotics models. This potential funding could propel the nearly three-year-old startup's valuation to an impressive $14 billion, nearly tripling its previous assessment.
According to a report by Reuters, the deal would mark a substantial increase from Skild AI's last valuation of $4.7 billion in May, when it secured $500 million in a round led by SoftBank, with participation from LG Technology Ventures, Samsung, and Nvidia, among others. Skild AI did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while SoftBank and Nvidia declined to comment on the ongoing talks.
Unlike many heavily funded startups in the robotics space, Skild AI distinguishes itself by not developing proprietary hardware. Instead, the company is focused on creating a hardware-agnostic foundation model for robots. This innovative approach allows its software to be customized and deployed across various types of robots and diverse use cases, offering flexibility and broader applicability.
In July, Skild AI unveiled its general-purpose robot model, Skild Brain, showcasing its capabilities through videos demonstrating robots performing complex tasks such as picking up dishes and navigating stairs. To further expand its ecosystem, the company has forged strategic partnerships with industry leaders like LG CNS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
Investor interest in AI robotics has been on a steady upward trajectory, with significant capital flowing into companies developing advanced robotic intelligence. For instance, Physical Intelligence, another startup dedicated to developing "brains" for a wide array of robots, recently reportedly raised $600 million, achieving a $5.6 billion valuation in a round led by Capital G. However, one investor who evaluated but passed on funding Physical Intelligence noted that its model was still in early stages of development.
The sector has also seen massive investments in humanoid robot developers. In September, Figure secured over $1 billion in funding, reaching a staggering $39 billion valuation. Similarly, 1X, another prominent humanoid robot developer, was in talks to raise up to $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation several months ago, as reported by The Information.
