Robotics Raises: Config, Lunar Outpost, Darkhive, WaiV Robotics, Linkerbot

We’re back with another batch of automation/robotics/physical AI startup funding rounds for the week of 5/11. This time out, we've got a grab bag, from robotic data software to lunar rovers to humanoid hands. 

Investors are clearly interested in everything under the metaphorical automation sun and we’ll make sure to keep track of it all so you don’t have to. 

Cofig, $27 million, seed

Building a successful robot isn't just about the hardware — although you do want to get that part right too — the software powering the robot is also key. Config is a startup building a critical layer of that software infrastructure. 

The Silicon Valley and Seoul-based startup is building the data infrastructure layer for robotic foundation models for general purpose bots. Config has already amassed more than 10,000 hours of physical training data for robots and just announced a $27 million seed round on May 11 led by Samsung Ventures with participation from Z Ventures Group, Kakao Ventures, and Korea Development Bank, among others. 

Lunar Outpost, $30 million, Series B

The space race continues to heat up and Denver-based Lunar Outpost is hoping its rovers can play a role in the budding space economy. The startup announced it raised a $30 million Series B round on May 7, led by Industrious Ventures with participation from Type One Ventures, Eniac Ventures, and Promus Ventures, among others. 

This funding round comes as the company awaits to see if its Pegasus rover gets a nod from NASA for future Artemis missions. Lunar Outpost told A3 that it plans to use this recent funding for production and development of its Pegasus and Eagle rovers in addition to hiring more than 50 people this year. 

Darkhive, $30 million, Series B 

Defense remains a hot topic for investors. Darkhive, which builds drones and the software that powers them, just raised a $30 million Series B round led by RTX Ventures with participation from Ten Eleven Ventures, Crosslink Capital, and Stellar Ventures, among others. 

The San Antonio-based startup was recently awarded a $49.7 million contract under the Department of War’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program meant to speed up deployment of developed tech. This funding round is meant to help them meet the potential demand that comes out of that. 

WaiV Robotics, $7.4 million, seed

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) can be incredibly useful tools out at sea from inspecting ships to defense operations — if they can manage to take off and land from an unstable surface like a ship. WaiV Robotics is looking to help companies do just that with its software and landing pad technology meant to help any type of eVTOL land and lift off safely from unstable surfaces like the back of a boat. 

The company just raised £ 5.5 million ($7.4 million) in a seed round, A3 could not confirm the backers, as it looks to bring its tech to everything from government defense organizations to commercial fishing companies. 

Linkerbot, undisclosed, Series B+

Our dexterity is central to the work we do. Robotics companies are finding out just how hard it is to create robotic hands with human-like capabilities. Rodney Brooks recently shed doubt that humanoid companies will ever be able to crack this code. 

Beijing-based Linkerbot is trying to solve this problem. The company told Reuters it raised a new round of funding at the end of April. While they wouldn’t disclose the funding amount, it came at a $3 billion valuation. In the midst of announcing this latest round, Linkerbot also disclosed its already back in market for its next round at an eye-watering $6 billion valuation which shows strong investor interest in solving this problem too.