Remember when smartphones were just an interesting novelty? That’s exactly where we are with robotics today — standing on the edge of an inflection point that will fundamentally reshape how we work, live and create value.
Unlike previous false starts in robotics, today’s combination of market conditions, technological breakthroughs and infrastructure maturity makes this moment different.
Why robotics, why now?
The robotics landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. A structural labour shortage across industries, rising safety concerns, and breakthrough advances in AI and hardware have primed the sector for explosive growth.
The perfect storm of enablers
1. The labour equation has changed forever
Manufacturing jobs carry a 50% higher vacancy rate than pre-pandemic levels, while healthcare faces a projected shortage of 3.2 million workers by 2026. This isn’t only worker scarcity — it is a fundamental mismatch between available jobs and workforce preferences.
2. Safety is non-negotiable
In welding alone, up to 25% of veteran welders report long-term vision problems. Mining sees fatality rates 5x higher than construction, while chemical processing workers face exposure risks that can reduce life expectancy by up to a decade. Companies spend an average of $42,000 per medically consulted injury.
3. The AI revolution is here
Modern GPT models have cut robot training time by 60%, while digital twin technology has reduced deployment errors by up to 80%. Development cycles have shrunk from years to months, with simulation compressing a decade of real-world experience into weeks of training.
4. The hardware renaissance
- Component costs down 40% over the past decade.
- Processing power increased 10x.
- Robotic arms that once cost $100,000 now available for under $20,000.
Investment focus areas
- Solutions addressing critical labour shortages in healthcare, manufacturing, construction and logistics.
- Robotics platforms deployable across multiple industries, offering flexibility and scalability.
- AI-first approaches using machine learning, synthetic data and simulation to attack problems that were previously out of reach.
Why this time is different
Our thesis
The next decade will be defined by companies that successfully deploy robotics to solve our most pressing challenges. This is not just automation — it is augmentation, collaboration and the transformation of how work gets done.
For founders building here: the timing has never been better. The challenges are real, the technology is ready, and the market is waiting.
Our portfolio already includes Zeno (electrifying two-wheel transport in emerging markets), Exponent Energy (15-minute rapid charging for EVs), and a stealth robotics startup transforming wall painting in the US.