Associate Director Josh Langley manages our warehouse automation team here at CrimsonXT, and has a wealth of experience recruiting across the automation industry. Putting his industry expertise to use, he recently produced “Automation Insights” – a bi-weekly LinkedIn news roundup, that explores the latest funding, collaborations, product updates and funding news from cutting-edge automation and robotics companies across the US, Europe and APAC.

In this episode, I want to concentrate on the US startup companies set to make incredible moves across the industry this year. While investment across warehouse automation startups took a downturn in 2024 (due to economic uncertainties and investor priorities), the demand for smarter, more efficient logistics solutions is stronger than ever.

Despite a challenging funding landscape, startups are reshaping supply chain operations with technologies like AI, robotics & machine learning. As well as efficiency, many of these companies are focusing on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability. So, which startups are set to soar in 2025?

 

 

1. Agility Robotics

Last year, we saw Agility Robotics announce a strategic investment and agreement with motion technology company Schaeffler Group, as well as partner with Manhattan Associates to integrate bipedal robot technology into warehouse operations in the US.

Recently, the team developed ‘Digit,’ a humanoid robot designed to handle physical tasks in manufacturing and logistics. Digit is currently employed by companies such as GXO Logistics, Inc. and Amazon, performing tasks like moving totes in warehouses. This marks the first instance of a humanoid robot being paid for work, with GXO paying $30 an hour per Digit.

2. Covariant

In a strategic move towards the end of last year, Amazon announced a significant deal with Covariant, aiming to advance warehouse automation and potentially lead to significant efficiency gains. Amazon hired Covariant’s founders, Pieter Abbeel, Peter Chen, and Rocky Duan, and is licensing the company’s robotic foundation models.

In a post, Amazon said, “What we admire about the Covariant team is their iterative and customer-focused approach to developing technologies that solve the toughest challenges in warehouse automation and their deep understanding of that end-to-end process.”

3. Fox Robotics

Fox Robotics focuses on automating warehouse operations with self-driving forklifts. Walmart is considering a $200 million investment to automate its warehouse operations with Fox Robotics’ self-driving forklifts, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce labor costs in its distribution centers. Recently, UK-based agricultural robotics startup Muddy Machines announced that it had acquired ‘the majority of key assets and intellectual property’ from Fox Robotics.

4. Standard Bots

The company aims to create robots capable of learning tasks directly from human actions, utilizing cameras to capture and mirror movements. Standard Bots Co. has also said that it has acquired all of the intellectual property of READY Robotics , which had developed the ForgeOS robot-agnostic operating system. Standard Bots said the acquisition of READY Robotics’ software, patents, and trademarks will enable its software to work across robot brands.

 

warehouse automation intralogistics

 

5. Vecna Robotics

Vecna Robotics’ product line includes autonomous pallet trucks and tuggers, designed to increase fulfilment speed and efficiency in warehouse operations. Late last year, the team hired former President and CEO at Motional, Karl Lagnemma.

They also raised another $14.5 million in funding from existing investors and said the funds will be used to accelerate its automation technology and improve its products for the automotive, general manufacturing, and high-volume warehousing industries. Vecna has raised $179 million to date.

6. Locus Robotics

Locus Robotics specializes in AMRs designed to enhance warehouse productivity. Their robots collaborate with human workers to optimize picking processes, thereby increasing efficiency and accuracy in order fulfilment. Locus Robotics has secured substantial funding to expand its solutions and recently unveiled its new headquarters as the team surpassed four billion unit picks across its worldwide customer deployments.

7. Attabotics

Attabotics offers a unique storage and retrieval system inspired by ant colonies. Their 3D robotic goods-to-person storage structure reduces warehouse space requirements and accelerates order fulfilment, providing a scalable solution for modern supply chains.

8. XYZ Robotics

XYZ Robotics develops AI-powered robotic systems capable of complex picking and sorting tasks. Their technology enables robots to handle a wide variety of items, making them suitable for diverse warehouse applications. The company has attracted significant investment to further develop its solutions, including a whopping $40M in Round B financing back in 2022.

9. Ambi Robotics

Ambi Robotics focuses on AI-driven robotic systems for parcel sorting and item handling. Their robots are designed to adapt to various objects, enhancing efficiency in logistics and e-commerce fulfilment centers. The company has raised substantial funding to advance its technology and recently introduced AmbiStack, a robotic system designed to automate the complex process of stacking items onto pallets or into containers with maximum density.

10. Berkshire Grey

Berkshire Grey integrates AI and robotics to automate retail, e-commerce, and logistics fulfilment operations. Their solutions encompass picking, packing, and sorting, aiming to streamline supply chain processes. The company has partnered with major retailers to implement its technology.

 

Funding throughout February:

Bulgarian UVIONIX Innovations secured $3.5M Seed funding. The startup uses flying robots to improve warehouse inventory management and supply chain logistics.

SAEKI bagged €6.4 million for autonomous factories to supercharge industry in Europe.

Self Inspection raised $3 Million (Seed) for an AI-based platform for auto inspections.

 

 

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