Sanctuary AI

Sanctuary AI, a Vancouver-based robotics firm, is preparing a US$175 million capital raise, per The Logic. To bolster funding, it’s selling a majority stake in Texas-based Apptronik, acquired in 2022 for US$10M. The stake’s value soared after Apptronik’s US$350M round earlier this year.

Sanctuary may secure up to US$125M from the sale and another US$50M from U.S. venture firms. Funds will support operations and the acquisition of U.S. rival Rapid Robotics. Sanctuary builds the Phoenix humanoid robot, powered by its proprietary AI, Carbon. The firm hopes to close the round by May.

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Sanctuary AI has integrated advanced tactile sensors into its Phoenix general-purpose robots, marking a breakthrough in physical AI. The Vancouver-based company says the technology enhances precision and dexterity, allowing robots to execute touch-driven tasks with greater accuracy.

CEO James Wells highlights the importance of touch in human-level dexterity, enabling features like blind picking and force control. As global labor shortages persist, Sanctuary AI’s sensor-equipped robots offer an efficient alternative to manual labor. The firm, recently ranked third globally for AI robotics patents by Morgan Stanley, continues to push autonomous labor innovation forward.

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Vancouver-based Sanctuary AI has unveiled dexterous robotic hands with 21 degrees of freedom, a milestone in general-purpose robotics. The hands, capable of in-hand manipulation, were developed using miniaturized hydraulic valves, offering unmatched speed, strength, and durability.

Interim CEO James Wells emphasized the significance: “Dexterity expands the market for humanoid robots.” Sanctuary’s robot, Phoenix, powered by the AI system Carbon, is seen as a breakthrough in human-like intelligence. In 2024, Sanctuary achieved a capital raise, a Microsoft partnership, and deployments at Manga facilities. The company, founded in 2018, continues to pioneer robotics innovation.

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Sanctuary AI’s board has removed co-founder Geordie Rose as CEO, setting off significant personnel changes. Interim CEO James Wells replaces Rose, while chief marketing officer Benedict Reed resigned, and 30 employees were laid off. The robotics startup, known for its Phoenix humanoid robot, has raised $140 million from investors like Magna and Microsoft.

However, investor concerns loom over Sanctuary’s ability to secure future funding in the competitive robotics sector. Sanctuary competes with global leaders like Tesla and Figure AI, which raised $675M this year. A leadership search is underway as Sanctuary navigates these challenges.

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Sanctuary AI, the Vancouver-based humanoid robotics firm, announced the departure of CEO and co-founder Geordie Rose in a blog post on Saturday. The company did not disclose the reason for Rose’s exit or his future involvement. Chief Commercial Officer James Wells has been appointed interim CEO.

Rose, a pivotal figure in AI and robotics, previously founded D-Wave and Kindred AI. His departure follows Sanctuary AI’s recent collaboration with Magna International to deploy its robots and a partnership with Microsoft for cloud computing services. To date, the company has secured up to $140 million in funding.

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Vancouver-based robotics firm Sanctuary AI has unveiled the seventh generation of its humanoid robot, Phoenix, featuring a variety of enhancements. The newly redesigned Phoenix boasts improved hardware and AI software, offering increased uptime, enhanced range of motion in the wrists and elbows, and miniaturized hydraulics for reduced weight and power consumption.

Sanctuary AI’s proprietary AI control system, Carbon, powers Phoenix, allowing it to perform menial tasks like folding clothes. Sanctuary AI aims to develop general-purpose AI robotics, with Phoenix representing a crucial step toward artificial general intelligence. The company, founded in 2018, collaborates with industry leaders like Magna and Accenture.

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Accenture Ventures has made a strategic investment in Vancouver’s Sanctuary AI, a trailblazer in developing humanoid general-purpose robots integrated with AI. This investment aligns with Accenture’s vision of “human by design” technology, as outlined in their Technology Vision 2024 report.

Sanctuary AI is known for its AI-powered Phoenix robot, recognized in TIME’s “Best Inventions of 2023.” These robots, capable of performing diverse tasks, promise to revolutionize various industries facing labor shortages.

Accenture’s investment reflects a commitment to advancing AI and robotics, complementing their previous investments in Eclipse Automation and Pollux, and partnership with Mujin through Accenture Alpha Automation.

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Vancouver’s Sanctuary AI has acquired key IP assets related to touch and grasping, essential for versatile robots. Coordinating touch sensors and vision systems is critical for embodied artificial general intelligance (AGI).

Sanctuary AI holds patents for pivotal grasping technologies, aiding both humanoid and non-humanoid robots. These technologies include visual servoing, real-time grasping simulation, and visual-haptic data fusion, crucial for robots operating in dynamic environments. CEO Geordie Rose highlights the need for touch-vision synergy in dynamic settings.

The acquisition follows the launch of their sixth-gen general-purpose robots, Phoenix™, powered by Carbon™ AI, showcasing advancements in robotics.

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Sanctuary AI’s groundbreaking work in robotics has earned them a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list for 2023.

Their sixth-generation general-purpose robot, Phoenix™, boasts human-like intelligence and a humanoid physical form designed for work tasks. It’s the sole humanoid general-purpose robot and the only Canadian company in the competitive Robotics category.

Phoenix stands 5’7″, weighs 155 lbs, and features industry-leading robotic hands with 20 degrees of freedom. Powered by Carbon™, an AI control system, it can understand and execute natural language commands.

Sanctuary AI is addressing labor shortages by offering an autonomous labor solution that learns and works in dynamic environments.

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