NVIDIA and Other Tech Giants Invest in Skild AI, Valuation Reaches $4.5 Billion

NVIDIA, Samsung, and SoftBank have joined forces to invest in Skild AI, a company that specializes in developing the "brains" for robots. This investment has propelled Skild AI's valuation to an impressive $4.5 billion. At the core of Skild AI's technology is a model based on the Transformer architecture, which is renowned for its advanced learning capabilities. The company leverages this model to train robots using diverse methods, including human-operated demonstrations, realistic simulations, and publicly available video data. This allows their robotic systems to adapt dynamically to new environments while performing tasks, showcasing remarkable emergent abilities. For instance, a robot can autonomously identify and pick up fallen objects—a feat previously unattainable without explicit programming. The burgeoning field of AI robotics has been a significant driver of Skild AI's rapid valuation growth. Global market forecasts predict that the AI robotics market will expand from $225.2 billion in 2025 to $643.5 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 23.37%. High-profile analysts also project that the market could reach $380 billion by 2035. Skild AI's ascension began in earnest in July 2024, just months after it emerged from stealth mode. The company managed to secure a $300 million Series A funding round, pushing its estimated value to $1.5 billion. Within a year, its valuation tripled, making it one of the fastest-growing startups in 2024. However, Skild AI faces intense competition in the robotics domain. Direct competitors like Physical Intelligence, which uses similar foundational models, compete with Skild AI in areas such as simulation and hardware integration. Other notable rivals include companies like Figure AI, Tesla’s Optimus, Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics. Each of these firms is vying for dominance in a rapidly evolving market, driven by the potential of transformative technologies and increasing demand across various industries. References: 1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-12/nvidia-samsung-plan-investments-in-robotics-startup-skild-ai Edited by: He Longlong