Los Angeles-Based GrayMatter Raises $45 Million to Revolutionize Manufacturing with AI Robots
GrayMatter, a Los Angeles-based startup, has secured $45 million in Series B funding, bringing its total capital raised to $70 million. This round, led by Wellington Management and supported by various new and existing investors, highlights the company's commitment to addressing the challenges in manufacturing through AI-powered robotics.
Pioneering Physics-Informed AI for Advanced Robotics
While robotic automation has been part of manufacturing for years, GrayMatter is at the forefront of innovation with its "physics-informed AI." This cutting-edge technology allows robots to self-program, making it ideal for high-mix, high-variability manufacturing environments. GrayMatter has experienced significant growth since its inception in 2020, thanks to the need for adaptable robotics.
“There are countless variations and complexities that traditional robots struggle to handle. Our technology bridges this gap for companies facing production backlogs of two years or more,” stated Ariyan Kabir, co-founder and CEO.
Addressing Labor Shortages in American Manufacturing
With the American manufacturing industry valued at $2.5 trillion, many companies are grappling with skilled labor shortages, resulting in up to 3.8 million unfilled positions. This talent gap prevents teams from meeting delivery deadlines, often leading to quality issues even when sufficient labor is available.
Drawing from his experience at the University of Southern California’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Kabir recognized the escalating challenges faced by high-mix, high-variability manufacturers. This insight inspired the formation of GrayMatter, focusing on robotic solutions for labor-intensive tasks across various sectors, from aerospace to sports equipment.
Innovating with Smart Robotic Cells
GrayMatter specializes in intelligent robotic cells equipped with proprietary GMR-AI technology. Unlike traditional robots that require extensive programming, these machines autonomously self-program in minutes based on high-level task descriptions. They adapt their parameters based on real-time performance, ensuring precision in tasks such as sanding, polishing, and inspection.
Kabir explained, “Our physics-informed AI reinforces known process models to prevent contradictory learning. For instance, we know that increasing pressure on a sanding tool will impact the workpiece. Our system validates this knowledge, eliminating the need for excessive testing.”
Broad Sector Adoption and Transformative Impact
Since its launch, GrayMatter has deployed 20 custom robotic cells across diverse industries, including aerospace, specialty vehicles, metal fabrication, and furniture production. Collectively, these systems have processed over 7.5 million square feet of surface area for various enterprises.
The solutions developed by GrayMatter operate 2-4 times faster than manual labor and significantly reduce consumable waste by over 30%. In one instance, an RV manufacturer slashed the sanding time from one hour to just six minutes per part.
Future Growth Plans
GrayMatter intends to utilize its latest funding to expand its team in Los Angeles and develop next-generation AI robotic cells for new applications. “Our customers are eager for additional products because our system alleviates production bottlenecks. With this funding, we aim to design advanced AI robots and enhance our capabilities in market expansion, operations, product development, and engineering,” Kabir concluded.
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