TechCrunch Startup News FieldAI raises $405M to build universal robot brains, plus Garage raises $13.5M to help firefighters buy equipment
4 snips
Aug 22, 2025 FieldAI just secured a massive $405 million to innovate in robotics with AI-driven models that enhance adaptability in various environments. Meanwhile, the startup Garage is making waves by launching a marketplace designed for local governments and firefighters to easily acquire specialized equipment. They recently raised $13.5 million to improve access to essential public safety gear, tackling critical challenges in community resource management.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Physics-Powered Universal Robot Brains
- Field AI builds embodied foundation models that combine physics with learning to let robots generalize across types and environments.
- Adding physics gives robots a second information source, improving safety and adaptability in novel settings.
Confidence And Risk-Aware Robot Decisions
- Integrating physics into models helps robots quantify confidence and manage risk rather than blindly executing next-step actions.
- Customers can set risk thresholds so robots act within defined safety limits in new environments.
Founder’s Multi-Decade Path To A Breakthrough
- Ali Agha traced his work back decades at institutions like NASA and MIT before launching Field AI after a technical breakthrough.
- He started the company in 2023 after enabling one robot brain to operate across different robot types and actions.