rlwrld Raises $14.8M to Advance Robotics with Foundational AI Model

The Rise of Robotics and the Need for Advanced AI

The integration of robotics into various industries is experiencing significant growth. In 2023, over 540,000 new industrial robots were deployed globally, bringing the total number of active industrial robots to over 4 million, according to data from the IFR.

While industrial robots are highly effective at performing repetitive actions, they often struggle with tasks requiring precision, delicate handling, or adaptation to dynamic environments. Consequently, many industrial processes still rely on manual labor.

RLWRLD: A New Approach to Robotics AI

Developing a Foundational AI Model

South Korean company RLWRLD is addressing this challenge by developing a foundational AI model specifically designed for robotics. This model combines the capabilities of large language models with established robotics software.

The company asserts that this innovative approach will empower robots to execute swift and adaptable movements, alongside a degree of “logical reasoning.”

CEO Insights

“By leveraging RLWRLD’s foundation model, work processes that currently demand substantial manual effort can be fully automated through the learning and replication of human expertise, ultimately enhancing workplace efficiency,” stated Jung-Hee Ryu, founder and CEO of RLWRLD, in a recent TechCrunch interview.

Seed Funding and Strategic Partnerships

Securing Investment

RLWRLD has successfully concluded its seed funding round, raising 21 billion KRW (approximately $14.8 million). This round was spearheaded by venture capital firm Hashed, with additional investment from Mirae Asset Venture Investment and Global Brain.

Strategic Investor Network

The startup has garnered support from a diverse group of prominent strategic investors, including Ana Group, PKSHA, Mitsui Chemical, Shimadzu, and KDDI from Japan; LG Electronics and SK Telecom from Korea; and Amber Manufacturing from India.

Utilizing Funds and Future Development

Allocation of Seed Funding

The secured funding will be allocated to several key areas. These include funding proof-of-concept projects with strategic investors, securing essential computing infrastructure like GPUs, acquiring robots, and gathering extensive data through device acquisition.

Furthermore, the company intends to expand its research team by recruiting leading talent. A key development goal is the creation of advanced hand movements involving all five fingers – a capability currently unmatched by competitors such as Tesla, Figure AI, and 1X, as noted by Ryu.

Collaboration and Platform Development

RLWRLD is collaborating with its investors to explore automation solutions for various human-centric workflows. A demonstration featuring a humanoid robot performing autonomous actions is planned for later this year.

The company is also focused on developing a versatile platform capable of supporting a wide range of robot types, including industrial robots, collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and humanoids.

Company Background and Vision

Founder’s Experience

Founded in 2024, RLWRLD represents Jung-Hee Ryu’s third entrepreneurial venture. His previous startup, Olaworks, was acquired by Intel in 2012 and subsequently integrated into Intel’s Korea R&D center within its computer vision division.

Ryu also established Future Play, a startup accelerator specializing in deep tech companies, in 2015.

Addressing a Market Gap

Ryu’s decision to launch RLWRLD was motivated by a perceived disparity in the growth of AI startups. He observed a rapid increase in AI ventures in the U.S., Europe, and China, while Korea and Japan lagged behind.

Discussions with over 30 AI professors in Korea and Japan revealed challenges related to infrastructure, funding, and barriers to entry, alongside significant opportunities.

Strategic Focus on Robotics

“I concluded that prioritizing robotics foundation models (RFM) over the crowded field of LLMs would be strategically advantageous, leveraging the established manufacturing strengths of Korea and Japan,” Ryu explained.

This led to the recruitment of six professors and their research teams from leading South Korean institutions – KAIST, SNU, and POSTECH – to form the core of RLWRLD.

Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook

Competition in the Robotics AI Space

RLWRLD is not the only company pursuing this technology. Startups like Skild AI and Physical Intelligence, along with larger corporations such as Tesla, Google DeepMind, and Nvidia, are also developing foundational models for robotics.

RLWRLD’s Competitive Advantages

However, Ryu believes RLWRLD possesses a strong foundation, having already assembled a team of AI and robotics experts capable of developing advanced models for both robotics and humanoid robots with a high degree of freedom (DoF).

“Furthermore, many competitors rely on robots with limited DoF, such as those with only two-fingered grippers. RLWRLD has already secured access to a high-DoF reference robot, which we anticipate will deliver superior performance,” he added.

Data Acquisition and Market Potential

The company’s strategic investors provide access to valuable data from manufacturing sites in Japan and South Korea, which collectively account for 9.2% of global manufacturing production.

RLWRLD anticipates generating revenue through proof-of-concept projects and collaborative demonstrations with its partners as early as this year.

The long-term vision encompasses serving factories, logistics centers, retail stores, and even the domestic robotics market for household chores. Initially, the focus will be on industrial applications due to their higher willingness to pay and strong demand for automation.

Currently, RLWRLD employs 13 individuals.