Self-Learning Robots Target Labor-Strapped Warehouses
Munich-based robotics startup RobCo just landed $100 million to bring its self-learning robot platform to more U.S. warehouses and manufacturing facilities. The Series C round, co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Lingotto Innovation, signals growing investor confidence in AI-powered automation as 3PLs and manufacturers grapple with persistent labor shortages.
Founded in 2020, RobCo entered the U.S. market in 2025 and now operates facilities in San Francisco and Austin. The company says America has become a major growth market as reshoring initiatives and operational complexity drive demand for flexible automation solutions.
What sets RobCo apart in the crowded robotics space is its approach to deployment. Rather than requiring extensive manual programming for each task, the company's platform lets robots learn through demonstration and self-learning methods. The technology combines perception, motion planning, and adaptive learning in a single full-stack system that handles both hardware and software.
Why This Matters for Logistics Operators
For 3PLs and warehouse operators, the pitch is faster deployment and easier adaptation when client requirements change. RobCo's robots can supposedly acquire new skills and adjust to variable processes without bringing in programmers for every modification—a pain point that's slowed automation adoption in facilities handling diverse SKUs or frequently changing operations.
The company targets both manufacturing and logistics applications, positioning its technology as a bridge between current manual processes and full automation. The $100 million war chest will fund deeper U.S. market penetration and advance what RobCo calls its "Physical AI roadmap."
"With $100 million of additional funding, we will become the dominant AI robotics company for manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe," said Roman Hölzl, RobCo's CEO and founder. "This will allow us to execute on our purpose of automating the ordinary, so humans can do the extraordinary."
The funding round also included participation from Sequoia Capital, Greenfield Partners, Kindred Capital, Leitmotif, and The Friedkin Group.
