Rivian creates another spinoff company called Mind Robotics

Rivian has unveiled its latest spinoff, Mind Robotics, marking its second venture this year focused on industrial AI and robotics. According to the company’s third-quarter shareholder letter released on Tuesday, Mind Robotics aims to transform the operations of physical-world businesses by utilizing Rivian's operational data to create a data-driven approach in robotics. The company has successfully raised approximately $110 million in external seed funding, though specific details about Mind Robotics remain sparse. Rivian expressed confidence in the potential of AI-powered robotics to enhance a variety of industrial applications. This new initiative follows Rivian's March launch of Also Inc., a micromobility startup that emerged from its skunkworks division. Also Inc. received backing from investors including Eclipse and Greenoaks Capital. Recent trademark filings for Mind Robotics have been submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with Jiten Behl from Eclipse listed as a signatory, indicating a collaborative effort. While it is uncertain whether current Rivian employees will transition to Mind Robotics, hints in the shareholder letter suggest that the company’s existing talent pool may play a role in this new venture. The founder of Rivian, RJ Scaringe, noted the organization’s commitment to identifying new opportunities that align with its innovative culture. The fields of robotics and industrial AI are currently experiencing significant investment interest, with numerous companies, including Tesla, also pursuing advancements in these areas. However, details on Mind Robotics’ specific projects and objectives are still limited, with its digital presence being largely nonexistent aside from the recent trademark application, which encompasses a wide range of potential uses from machinery to even egg incubators.