symbio is working with toyota and nissan to increase robotic assembly efficiency
Symbio Officially Launches with $30 Million in Funding
Symbio, an artificial intelligence startup located in the Bay Area, has announced its formal launch today.
The company has secured a total of $30 million in funding and has established partnerships with major automotive manufacturers, Nissan and Toyota, for the integration of its software within their U.S. production facilities.
SymbioDCS Technology and its Capabilities
Symbio’s core technology, SymbioDCS, is designed to significantly enhance automation capabilities utilizing factory robots on assembly lines.
According to CEO and co-founder Max Reynolds, the primary benefit for consumers is a streamlined production process. He stated to TechCrunch that the technology aims to boost factory capacity, allowing for increased product output with greater speed and adaptability.
Funding History and Investors
The company successfully completed a $15 million Series B funding round in December of the previous year.
This recent investment supplements a $12 million Series A round secured in 2018, a $2.5 million seed round from two years prior, and an initial $500,000 pre-seed investment.
ACME Capital spearheaded the latest funding round, alongside existing investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Eclipse Ventures, and The House Fund.
A New Approach to Automation
Symbio differentiates itself by not only providing automation solutions but also by empowering manufacturing professionals to develop and customize their own automation tools.
UC Berkeley professor Anca Dragan highlighted this approach, stating that Symbio is building products that effectively combine the strengths of AI with human expertise in a collaborative manner.
Company Overview and Market Opportunity
Established in 2014, Symbio currently employs approximately 40 individuals, primarily engineers, with a strong presence in California.
Max Reynolds points out that the current level of automation in automotive manufacturing is surprisingly low, with assembly processes being less than 5% automated across the industry.
He emphasizes that this indicates substantial potential for growth and innovation within this sector.
There is considerable opportunity to expand automation within the automotive industry.
Brian Heater
Brian Heater: A Veteran of Tech Journalism
Brian Heater held the position of Hardware Editor at TechCrunch until the beginning of 2025. Throughout his career, he has consistently contributed to prominent technology-focused media outlets.
Extensive Experience in Tech Publications
Heater’s professional background includes significant roles at several well-known publications. These include Engadget, PCMag, Laptop, and Tech Times, where he ultimately functioned as the Managing Editor.
His journalistic work extends beyond dedicated tech sites. His articles have been featured in a diverse range of publications, demonstrating a broad writing scope.
A Wide Range of Published Works
- Spin
- Wired
- Playboy
- Entertainment Weekly
- The Onion
- Boing Boing
- Publishers Weekly
- The Daily Beast
These represent just a selection of the many publications that have hosted his writing. His versatility as a writer is clearly demonstrated by this varied portfolio.
Beyond Writing: Podcasting and Broadcasting
In addition to his writing career, Brian Heater is also involved in audio media. He currently hosts the weekly Boing Boing interview podcast, titled RiYL.
Heater has also contributed regularly to NPR as a commentator. This showcases his ability to communicate complex topics in an accessible manner.
Personal Life
He currently resides in a Queens apartment, where he shares his living space with a rabbit companion named Juniper. This adds a personal touch to his public profile.