Rivian Automotive CEO RJ Scaringe founded Mind Robotics last year and announced during a media event for the Rivian R2 EV launch that the humanoid robotics company has raised more than $1 billion. The company expects to reveal its first product in less than a year, with Rivian serving as a large minority shareholder and launch customer. Scaringe structured Mind as a separate entity from Rivian, contrasting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's approach of integrating robotics development within his automotive company.
Mind Robotics Secures Over $1 Billion in Funding
Scaringe, who serves as executive chair and acting CEO of Mind Robotics, confirmed the company has raised more than $1 billion. Mind currently has roughly 20 open positions ranging from software and hardware engineers to data architects, according to its website. The 43-year-old automotive enthusiast and tech entrepreneur announced these details during a media event in Park City, Utah.
Rivian Takes Minority Stake as Launch Customer
Rivian holds a large minority shareholder position in Mind Robotics and will serve as the company's first customer for humanoid robots. Scaringe stated that Rivian will be a "huge beneficiary" of Mind, which is using data from Rivian for training its AI models. The automaker's manufacturing facilities will deploy the robots once production begins.
Scaringe Differentiates Strategy from Tesla's Integration Model
Scaringe told CNBC that the plan is to keep the robotics company separate from Rivian, as opposed to the automaker partially shifting to make humanoid robots, like Tesla CEO Elon Musk is doing with his company. "We have a deep relationship, and that was actually how we structured it," Scaringe said during an interview. "A big part of structuring the business was to allow me to be able to spend time on both." This approach differs from Tesla's strategy and from Musk's xAI company merging with SpaceX before SpaceX's initial public offering on Friday.
Mind Robotics Opens 20 Positions Across Engineering Roles
Mind Robotics currently has roughly 20 open positions according to its website, spanning software engineers, hardware engineers, and data architects. Scaringe cited an "extreme lack of labor" in manufacturing as a driving factor for the robotics venture. Rivian currently has more than 30 open manufacturing and engineering jobs, according to the company's website.
FAQ
What is Mind Robotics and when did RJ Scaringe found it?
Mind Robotics is a humanoid robotics company founded last year by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, who serves as its executive chair and acting CEO. The company has raised more than $1 billion and expects to reveal its first product in less than a year.
How is Rivian connected to Mind Robotics?
Rivian holds a large minority shareholder position in Mind Robotics and will serve as the company's first customer for humanoid robots. Mind uses data from Rivian for training its AI models, and Rivian's manufacturing facilities will deploy the robots once production begins.
How does Mind Robotics' structure differ from Tesla's robotics approach?
Scaringe structured Mind Robotics as a separate company from Rivian, allowing him to spend time on both entities. This contrasts with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's approach of integrating humanoid robot development within Tesla rather than creating a standalone robotics company.
