AI robotics funding has grown very rapidly in recent years due to major progress in artificial intelligence, automation, and physical AI systems. Between 2024 and 2026, investors have increased their funding in robotics startups, especially those working on humanoid robots, robot foundation models, and autonomous technologies.
This rise in investment shows a clear shift in venture capital, where AI-powered robotics is becoming one of the fastest-growing and most important technology sectors. As industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and defense adopt smarter machines, funding trends show strong confidence in the long-term growth of this market.
In this article, we will explore AI robotics funding statistics along with key investment trends, major funding rounds, market growth patterns, and the leading companies driving the global AI and robotics industry.
Key AI Robotics Funding Statistics
- AI startups raised over $100 billion globally in 2024, marking a record-breaking funding year for the sector.
- By 2025, AI companies captured 51% of total global venture capital funding, the first time they have dominated overall VC flows.
- Global robotics and physical AI startups attracted $27.6 billion in 2025, spread across 1,009 funding deals.
- Dedicated robotics startup funding reached $13.8 billion in 2025, reflecting strong investor interest in automation technologies.
- In Q2 2025 alone, AI and robotics deals totaled $8.8 billion across 221 deals, showing strong quarterly momentum.
- Funding in the AI and robotics sector surged 170.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, indicating rapid acceleration in investment activity.
- U.S. startup funding rose 75.6% in H1 2025, largely driven by strong demand for AI and robotics companies.
- Humanoid robotics companies raised over $18 billion by 2026, highlighting growing investor confidence in human-like robots.
AI Robotics Funding Market Overview
AI Startups Raise Over $100 Billion as Robotics Funding Surges Worldwide
Artificial intelligence and robotics became some of the fastest-growing areas for global investment between 2024 and 2025. AI startups alone raised more than $100 billion worldwide in 2024, surpassing the previous funding record set in 2021.
By 2025, AI companies attracted 51% of all venture capital funding globally, marking the first time AI startups received the majority of total VC investment. Robotics funding also surged during this period, with AI and robotics deal value jumping 170.5% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025 to reach $8.8 billion across 221 deals.
In the United States, overall startup funding was on track for its second-highest level ever in the first half of 2025, rising 75.6%, mainly driven by strong investor demand for AI and robotics companies.
| Category | Data |
| Global AI Startup Funding (2024) | Over $100 Billion Raised |
| Share of Global VC Funding Captured by AI (2025) | 51% of Total Venture Capital Funding |
| AI & Robotics Deal Value in Q2 2025 | $8.8 Billion |
| Number of AI & Robotics Deals in Q2 2025 | 221 Deals |
| Quarter-over-Quarter Growth in AI & Robotics Funding | +170.5% |
| U.S. Startup Funding Growth in H1 2025 | Up 75.6% |
ALSO READ: AI Startup Funding Statistics 2025-2026
Global Robotics and Physical AI Startups Raise Record $27.6 Billion in 2025
Global robotics and physical AI startups attracted a record-breaking $27.6 billion in funding across 1,009 deals in 2025, showing how quickly investor interest in intelligent machines is growing.
This funding total was more than twice the amount raised in the previous year, marking one of the strongest growth periods the industry has seen. The sharp increase reflects rising demand for robotics, automation, humanoid systems, and AI-powered physical technologies across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and defense.
Investor Confidence in Humanoid Robots Drives Funding Beyond $18 Billion
Humanoid robotics companies raised more than $18 billion in venture capital funding by 2026, highlighting the growing confidence investors have in human-like robots and physical AI systems.
This large amount of funding shows that businesses and investors expect humanoid robots to play a bigger role in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, logistics, and personal assistance.
Investor Interest in Humanoid Robotics Drives More Than 64 Global Funding Deals
The humanoid robotics industry recorded more than 64 major funding rounds worldwide between 2024 and 2026, showing strong and growing investor interest in the sector. These funding deals supported companies developing human-like robots for use in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, customer service, and other industries.
AI Startups Capture More Than Half of Global Venture Capital Funding in 2025
AI-focused startups attracted more than half of all global venture capital investment in 2025, showing how strongly investors are supporting artificial intelligence technologies. This major increase in funding shows the rapid growth of AI robotics and automation companies, which have become some of the fastest-growing sectors in the startup market.
Investors are putting more money into AI-powered robots and intelligent systems because they are expected to transform industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service.
Global Robotics Startups Raise $13.8 Billion in Funding During 2025
Robotics startups around the world raised about $13.8 billion in dedicated funding during 2025, showing strong investor interest in automation and AI-powered machines. This large amount of investment highlights the growing demand for robotics technologies across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, retail, and defense.
The increase in funding also reflects confidence that robotics companies will play a major role in improving productivity and transforming future business operations.
Global Humanoid Robotics Sector Records Over 101 Deals by Early 2026
More than 101 humanoid robotics deals were tracked globally by early 2026, showing rapid growth in investment and business activity within the sector. These deals included funding rounds, partnerships, acquisitions, and strategic investments focused on developing human-like robots and AI-powered systems.
Humanoid Robotics Funding Rounds Average $242 Million Between 2024 and 2026
Between 2024 and 2026, the average funding round for humanoid robotics companies reached about $242 million per deal, showing how much money investors are putting into the industry. These large investments reflect strong confidence in the future of human-like robots and AI-powered machines.
Companies developing humanoid robots are attracting significant funding as businesses look for advanced automation solutions for industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service.
Largest AI Robotics Funding Rounds
AI-Powered Robotics Startup Skild AI Attracts $1.4 Billion in Funding
Skild AI raised $1.4 billion in Series C funding in 2026, making it one of the largest funding rounds in the humanoid robotics and physical AI industry. The massive investment highlights growing investor confidence in AI-powered robotics technologies and their future commercial potential.
The funding is expected to support the company’s development of advanced robotic systems designed for automation, industrial operations, and real-world physical tasks.
| Company | Funding Round | Funding Amount | Valuation | Time Period |
| Skild AI | Series C | $1.4 billion | Over $14 billion | January 2026 |
Skild AI Reaches $14 Billion Valuation After Major Funding Round
Skild AI was valued at around $14 billion after its major funding round, showing how strongly investors believe in the future of AI-powered robotics. The high valuation reflects growing demand for advanced automation and intelligent robotic systems across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. It also places the company among the most valuable startups in the humanoid robotics and physical AI market.
AI Robotics Startup NEURA Robotics Attracts One of 2026’s Largest Investments
NEURA Robotics raised about €1 billion (around $1.08 billion) in Series D funding in 2026, making it one of the largest robotics funding rounds of the year. The major investment highlights growing global demand for AI-powered robots and intelligent automation systems. The funding is expected to help the company expand its robotics technology for industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and smart industrial automation.
AI Robotics Startup Physical Intelligence Secures Major Funding in 2025
Physical Intelligence raised $600 million in funding in late 2025, reaching a company valuation of about $5.6 billion. The large investment shows strong investor confidence in the future of AI-powered robotics and intelligent automation systems.
The funding is expected to support the company’s work on developing advanced robotic technologies that can perform real-world physical tasks across industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Apptronik Raises Over Half a Billion Dollars to Expand AI Robotics Development
In 2026, Apptronik secured a $520 million funding extension, highlighting growing investor confidence in humanoid robotics and AI-powered automation technologies. The large funding round is expected to help the company expand the development and production of advanced robots designed for industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.
The investment also reflects the increasing demand for intelligent robotic systems as businesses continue adopting automation to improve efficiency and address labor shortages.
Apptronik Reaches $5.5 Billion Valuation Following Major Funding Rounds
Following its recent funding rounds, Apptronik reached an estimated valuation of around $5.3 billion to $5.5 billion, showing strong market confidence in the future of humanoid robotics and AI automation.
The sharp rise in valuation reflects increasing investor interest in companies developing intelligent robots capable of performing real-world industrial and commercial tasks. The company’s growing value also highlights the rapid expansion of the global AI robotics sector as demand for advanced automation technologies continues to increase across multiple industries.
Galbot Raises Nearly $345 Million in Major Humanoid Robotics Funding Round
Chinese humanoid robotics startup Galbot raised nearly $345 million in funding, making it one of the largest investment rounds in the humanoid robotics sector.
The major funding highlights the growing global interest in AI-powered robots designed to perform human-like physical tasks across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and service operations. The investment also reflects China’s increasing focus on becoming a leading force in advanced robotics and intelligent automation technologies.
Agility Robotics Raises $400 Million in Major Series C Funding Round
In 2025, Agility Robotics secured $400 million in Series C funding, marking one of the significant investments in the humanoid robotics industry. The funding is expected to support the company’s efforts to scale production and expand the deployment of AI-powered robots for warehouse, logistics, and industrial operations.
The large investment also reflects growing confidence among investors in the future of automation and the increasing demand for intelligent robotic workers across global industries.
AI Robotics Investor Statistics
SoftBank, NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Back the Future of AI Robotics
Major technology companies such as SoftBank, NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are investing heavily in AI robotics. Their investments show the growing importance of intelligent robots in industries like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and automation.
The strong support from these large companies also shows the rising confidence that AI-powered robots will become a major part of future business operations and everyday technology.
Investors Shift Toward Mega-Rounds in Top Humanoid Robotics Companies
During 2025-2026, venture capital firms and major technology companies increasingly focused their investments on a small group of leading AI robotics startups. Instead of spreading funding across many smaller companies, investors directed large amounts of capital into startups they believed could become dominant players in humanoid robotics and intelligent automation.
This trend led to several billion-dollar funding rounds and rapidly rising company valuations, showing strong confidence in the future growth of AI-powered robotics technologies.
PitchBook Data Shows 75% of AI Venture Capital Concentrated in Top Firms in 2026
According to data from PitchBook, a small group of AI companies captured nearly 75% of all venture capital funding in early 2026. This shows that investment in the AI sector has become highly concentrated, with most of the capital flowing into a limited number of leading firms rather than being spread evenly across many startups.
Robotics Startups Building Physical AI Systems Attract Strong Investor Interest
Investors are increasingly directing large amounts of capital toward robotics companies building “physical AI” systems, which enable machines to operate and make decisions autonomously in real-world environments.
This growing funding reflects strong confidence that AI will move beyond software into physical systems, powering robots used in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and other industries.
AI Robotics Funding Surges Amid Rising Demand for Labor Automation
AI robotics funding is increasingly being shaped by rising demand for labor automation across key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and household services. Investors are directing more capital into robotics companies as businesses seek cost-efficient ways to address labor shortages and improve productivity.
This shift highlights a clear trend that funding is not only growing in size but is also becoming more focused on practical, real-world applications where AI-powered robots can replace or support human labor in repetitive and physically demanding tasks.
Diverse Investor Base Fuels Rapid Growth in AI Robotics Industry
Investment in the AI robotics boom is increasingly coming from a wide mix of sovereign wealth funds, large corporations, and private equity investors around the world. This broad participation highlights strong confidence in robotics as a long-term growth sector, with capital flowing not only from traditional venture investors but also from state-backed and institutional sources.
The diversity of investors reflects the strategic importance of AI-driven robotics, as countries and corporations position themselves to benefit from advances in automation, productivity, and intelligent machine systems.
ALSO READ: AI Spending Statistics 2025 – Global AI Investment by Country
Global AI Robotics Funding Insights and Trends
Chinese Humanoid Robotics Startups Raise Over $3 Billion by 2026
Chinese humanoid robotics startups have collectively raised more than $3 billion by 2026, reflecting a rapid surge in investment activity within the country’s advanced automation sector.
This significant funding level highlights growing confidence from both domestic and international investors in China’s ability to compete in the global humanoid robotics race. The strong capital inflow is helping accelerate research, development, and commercialization of AI-powered robots designed for industrial, commercial, and service applications.
Unitree Robotics and AGIBot Move Toward IPO Filings in China’s Robotics Boom
Several Chinese robotics companies, including Unitree Robotics and AGIBot, have reportedly moved toward IPO filings, signaling a new stage of maturity in the country’s humanoid robotics sector. This development reflects growing investor confidence and rising valuations in the industry, as more startups transition from private funding rounds to public market readiness.
U.S. Dominates Big-Ticket Funding Deals in AI Robotics Sector
The United States remained the leading market for large AI robotics mega funding rounds during 2025 and 2026, attracting the highest share of big investments compared to other countries.
This shows that most of the largest funding deals in AI robotics were concentrated in U.S.-based companies, reflecting strong investor confidence and a well-developed startup ecosystem. The trend highlights the country’s continued dominance in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence innovation, especially in areas like automation, humanoid robots, and physical AI systems.
AI Robotics Investment Accelerates Germany’s Industrial Innovation Leadership
Germany has emerged as a growing AI robotics hub, driven by large-scale funding rounds in companies such as NEURA Robotics. The significant capital inflow into the sector shows rising investor confidence in Germany’s role in advanced robotics and automation technologies.
Rising Capital Inflows Reflect Confidence in Humanoid Robotics for Automation Needs
Investors are increasingly treating humanoid robotics as a long-term solution to global labor shortages and rising industrial automation needs. This shift in outlook is reflected in growing capital inflows into AI robotics companies focused on building human-like machines for real-world tasks.
Advances in Generative AI Fuel Rapid Growth in Robotics Investment
Funding momentum in AI robotics accelerated sharply following major breakthroughs in generative AI and robot foundation models. These advances improved how robots understand language, learn tasks, and operate in real-world environments, leading to increased investor confidence in the sector.
As a result, more capital flowed into robotics startups developing AI-driven systems capable of general-purpose reasoning and autonomous physical action, marking a clear shift toward more advanced and scalable robotic technologies.
AI Robotics Funding Expands Across Full Technology Stack From Hardware to Software
AI robotics startups are now attracting funding across a much broader range of technologies, not just hardware but also AI software, robot “brains,” advanced sensors, and autonomous control systems.
This shift shows that investors are increasingly focused on building fully integrated robotics platforms rather than standalone machines. Funding is spreading across the entire robotics stack, reflecting growing demand for smarter, more adaptable robots capable of learning, sensing, and acting independently in complex real-world environments.
Robot Foundation Model Startups Emerge as Key Investment Theme in AI Industry
Companies developing robot foundation models are emerging as one of the most important investment themes in the broader AI industry.
This trend shows that a growing share of funding is being directed toward startups building large-scale AI systems that can power multiple types of robots, rather than single-purpose machines. Investors see these models as a key step toward general-purpose robotics, where a single AI system can learn and perform a wide range of physical tasks.
Wrapping Up
AI robotics funding is expected to keep growing in the coming years as artificial intelligence and automation technologies continue to improve. Investors will likely focus more on companies building humanoid robots, autonomous systems, and advanced AI models for robots, since these are seen as important for the future. As more industries use robots to solve labor shortages and increase efficiency, funding will likely go to a smaller number of leading companies with strong technology.
Source and references:
https://embodiedglobal.com/en/article/robotics-27-6b-funding-2025-doubles
