TL;DR
Mind Robotics, a spinoff from Rivian, has raised another $400 million in funding, led by Kleiner Perkins, to advance industrial robotics. This follows a previous $500 million raise and signals strong investor confidence in its automation ambitions.
Rivian’s spinoff company Mind Robotics has secured another $400 million in funding, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal, marking its second major funding round in two months.
The new funding round was led by venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, with participation from Volkswagen’s venture arm and Salesforce. This investment brings Mind Robotics’ total raised to over $1 billion since its inception in 2025, and values the company at more than $3 billion, per the Wall Street Journal.
Mind Robotics, founded by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, focuses on developing industrial robots with human-like skills to automate factory operations. Scaringe told TechCrunch in March that he established the company because existing startups lacked the capabilities needed for comprehensive industrial automation.
The company had previously raised $115 million from Eclipse in 2025. Additionally, Scaringe has been involved in creating and spinning out other ventures, such as micromobility firm Also, which has raised over $300 million.
Why It Matters
This funding highlights significant investor confidence in the potential for advanced robotics to transform manufacturing and industrial processes. As automation becomes increasingly critical for competitiveness, Mind Robotics’ progress could influence the future landscape of factory automation and industrial efficiency.
Moreover, the backing from major players like Volkswagen and Salesforce underscores the strategic importance of robotics in broader technology and automotive ecosystems, potentially accelerating innovation and adoption across sectors.
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Background
Rivian, known for its electric vehicles, spun off Mind Robotics in 2025 to focus on developing advanced industrial robotics. The company’s goal is to create robots with human-like skills capable of automating complex factory tasks, addressing a gap in existing automation solutions.
Prior to this, the company had raised $115 million from Eclipse, and the recent funding round has pushed its valuation beyond $3 billion. The development comes amid increasing industry interest in automation to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs.
“I created Mind Robotics because I saw a need for more capable, human-like robots to automate industrial work more effectively.”
— RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO and Mind Robotics founder
“We believe Mind Robotics is poised to revolutionize industrial automation with its innovative approach.”
— Kleiner Perkins spokesperson
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What Remains Unclear
Details about the specific technological milestones or product launches are still emerging. It is not yet clear when Mind Robotics will deploy its robots at scale or how quickly they will impact the industrial sector.
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What’s Next
Next steps include further product development, testing, and potential pilot programs with industrial partners. The company may also seek additional funding or strategic partnerships to accelerate commercialization.
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Key Questions
What does Mind Robotics develop?
Mind Robotics develops industrial robots with human-like skills aimed at automating factory operations more effectively.
Who are the main investors in Mind Robotics?
Leading investors include Kleiner Perkins, Volkswagen’s venture arm, and Salesforce, with additional support from Rivian’s founder, RJ Scaringe.
How much funding has Mind Robotics raised overall?
It has raised over $1 billion in total, including a previous $115 million from Eclipse and the latest $400 million round.
When was the latest funding announced?
The new funding was announced on May 13, 2026.
What is the significance of this funding for the industry?
The investment indicates strong confidence in the future of industrial automation and suggests that Mind Robotics’ technology could significantly influence manufacturing processes worldwide.
