Skild AI seeks SoftBank, Nvidia funding, nears £11bn

SoftBank Group and Nvidia are reportedly discussing a significant investment in Skild AI, a software company focused on foundational robotics models. This potential funding round, exceeding $1 billion, would value the nearly three-year-old startup at around $14 billion, according to Reuters.

Billions Flow into Robotics AI

The proposed investment highlights a growing trend of substantial capital flowing into the artificial intelligence robotics sector. Skild AI was previously valued at $4.7 billion in May, when it secured $500 million from investors including SoftBank, LG Technology Ventures, Samsung, and Nvidia.

Unlike many robotics firms, Skild AI isn't developing its own hardware. Instead, its core focus is on creating a robot-agnostic foundation model platform. This allows its AI to be adapted for diverse robot types and applications, rather than being restricted to a specific machine. This approach reflects a strategic shift in the industry, moving towards more flexible and transferable AI solutions for physical automation. We've seen similar developments in other AI fields, like the rise of large language models, where the underlying AI can be applied to many different tasks.

Skild Brain: A Glimpse into the Future

In July, Skild unveiled "Skild Brain," its general-purpose robot model. Promotional videos demonstrated robots performing complex tasks, such as clearing dishes and navigating stairs. The company has also established key partnerships with LG CNS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise to expand its ecosystem and application.

The interest isn't limited to Skild AI. Other companies are also attracting significant investment:

• Physical Intelligence, another firm developing AI "brains" for robots, reportedly raised $600 million at a $5.6 billion valuation, led by CapitalG. However, some investors suggest their models are still in early development.
• Figure, a humanoid robot developer, secured over $1 billion in funding in September, pushing its valuation to a staggering $39 billion.
• 1X, another developer of humanoid robots, was reportedly seeking up to $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation a few months ago. We've seen similar surges in valuation across the AI landscape, sometimes leading to concerns about AI slop and overhyped projects.

"The surge in investment in foundational robotics models signals a clear recognition of their potential to revolutionise various industries, from manufacturing to logistics and even domestic assistance," stated one industry analyst. "The ability to develop a 'brain' that can power any robot is a game-changer."

This influx of capital underscores the belief that advanced AI will profoundly impact physical automation and robotics. As AI models become more sophisticated, we can expect to see them integrated into a wider array of machines, leading to more versatile and capable robots. The development of robust AI skills is becoming increasingly important for businesses across all sectors Singapore MSMEs Are Getting An AI Power-Up!. This trend aligns with the broader push towards human-AI skill fusion in the future workforce.

The potential for such transformative technology is immense, but it also prompts discussions around responsible development and deployment. For more information on the global landscape of AI governance, you can refer to the OECD's work on AI policy^ https://www.oecd.org/going-digital/ai/.