Humanoid Robotics Funding
Humanoid secures $152M Series A to scale industrial AI robotics amid European investment surge.
Anonymous
Key Points
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Humanoid disclosed a 1,000-robot deal with Schaeffler, with Bosch backing production capacity to enable up to 100,000 units over the next five years.
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Tech.eu described the Schaeffler agreement as the industry's largest publicly announced commercial deal for deploying thousands of humanoid robots.
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Humanoid has recruited more than 50 veterans from Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Apptronik and 1X to accelerate product development.
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EU-Startups noted that Humanoid's round is part of a broader European wave of investment in physical AI and industrial robotics in 2026, contributing to roughly €1.60 billion in related funding when Humanoid is included.
UK-based startup Humanoid has raised $152 million in a Series A round, hitting a $1.35 billion post-money valuation and becoming Europe's first pure-play humanoid robotics unicorn, according to Tech Startups. The round was led by Prime Movers Lab, with backing from Schaeffler, Bosch, Fubon Financial Holding Venture Capital, and Aglaé Ventures, bringing total funding to roughly $270 million.
The two-year-old London company, formally known as SKL Robotics Ltd., makes wheeled humanoid robots for factories, warehouses, and retail sites, according to Silicon Angle. Beta deployments at customer sites are planned for Q4 2025 across manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
Schaeffler Deal Could Put 100,000 Robots in Factories
The biggest headline from the raise is a deal with German industrial giant Schaeffler. Humanoid will deploy thousands of robots at Schaeffler's manufacturing facilities, Tech.eu described it as the largest publicly announced commercial deal of its kind in the industry. Bosch, another investor, will act as contract manufacturer and technical partner.
The Bosch partnership unlocks production capacity for up to 100,000 robots over the next five years, according to EU Startups. Humanoid also holds partnerships with SAP, Nvidia, and Siemens. CEO Artem Sokolov says the speed of progress turning humanoid robots into everyday industrial tools "is accelerating."
A Dream Team Poached From Boston Dynamics and Rivals
Humanoid has hired more than 50 engineers and robotics veterans from Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Apptronik, and 1X, according to Unite.AI. That talent pool is a key reason investors are betting the company can move fast. The team is working on a next-generation robot platform alongside expanded KinetIQ software.
KinetIQ is Humanoid's software layer — think of it as the brain that tells robots how to move and respond on the factory floor. The company plans to use the fresh capital to push KinetIQ further and ramp up mass manufacturing of its wheeled robots.
Why Investors Are Pouring Money Into 'Physical AI'
"Physical AI" is the buzzword driving the funding wave. It means combining artificial intelligence with real-world robots that can work alongside humans. Labor shortages in manufacturing and logistics are pushing companies to look for automated solutions, making industrial robotics a hot target for venture capital.
Humanoid's raise is part of a broader European surge. EU Startups noted that when Humanoid's round is included, related European physical AI and industrial robotics deals in 2026 add up to roughly €1.60 billion. The US, Europe, and China are all racing to build robots that can do repetitive, physical jobs at scale.
From Demo Videos to Real Factory Floors by Year-End
Turning flashy robot demos into actual working deployments is the hardest part of this industry. Humanoid is targeting Q4 beta deployments at customer sites. Voice LaPaaS noted that the funding is specifically meant to help the company bridge that gap — from demo to tool.
The company is two years old and already valued at $1.35 billion. That pace mirrors the broader robotics gold rush. But the real test comes when robots leave the lab and hit the factory floor at scale — something the Schaeffler deal is designed to prove out.
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