Rivian Launches Mind Robotics Spinoff Company
▼ Summary
– Rivian has launched Mind Robotics, its second spinoff company this year, focusing on industrial AI and robotics.
– The venture will use Rivian’s operations data to develop AI-enabled robotics for industrial applications.
– Mind Robotics has secured approximately $110 million in external seed capital for its operations.
– This follows Rivian’s earlier spinoff in March, when it created Also Inc. from its micromobility division.
– Details about Mind Robotics remain limited, with no digital presence beyond a broad trademark application.
Rivian has launched a new spinoff company named Mind Robotics, marking its second such venture this year and focusing on industrial artificial intelligence and robotics. The electric vehicle manufacturer revealed the initiative in its third-quarter shareholder letter, describing a plan to use industrial AI for transforming physical business operations. Rivian intends to build this new enterprise around a data flywheel concept, drawing from its own operational data streams.
According to the shareholder update, Mind Robotics has already secured approximately $110 million in external seed funding. While specific operational details remain scarce, Rivian expressed strong belief that AI-driven robotics technology holds potential across numerous industrial applications.
This represents Rivian’s second corporate spinoff in 2024, following March’s launch of Also Inc., which originated from the company’s micromobility research division. Also Inc. received financial backing from Eclipse alongside Greenoaks Capital, establishing a pattern of external investment for Rivian’s independent ventures.
Documentation filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows Eclipse partner Jiten Behl signed the Mind Robotics trademark application, listing Eclipse’s Palo Alto headquarters as the corporate address. Behl has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the new company’s formation.
The question of whether Rivian employees will transition to Mind Robotics, similar to the staffing approach with Also Inc., remains unanswered. A company spokesperson declined to provide specifics, though CEO RJ Scaringe’s letter hinted at this possibility by referencing Rivian’s “strong bench of technology talent” and capacity for identifying additional value areas beyond their core automotive business.
The robotics and industrial AI sector continues attracting significant investment interest, with numerous companies including Tesla developing humanoid robots and General Motors establishing its own robotics division. Despite this competitive landscape, Mind Robotics maintains virtually no public presence beyond its trademark filing, which broadly covers applications ranging from machinery and vehicles to unexpected categories like egg incubators.
(Source: TechCrunch)
