RLWRLD Secures $14.8M Funding to Develop Cutting-Edge Robotics Foundation Model
The robotics industry is witnessing rapid advancements, with more companies adopting automation to replace repetitive tasks. In 2023 alone, over 540,000 new industrial robots were installed globally, raising the total number of operational industrial robots to over 4 million, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
Challenges Faced by Industrial Robots
While industrial robots are highly efficient at performing repetitive tasks, they struggle with:
- Performing precise tasks
- Handling delicate materials
- Adapting to changing conditions
For instance, a robot in a restaurant kitchen might hinder operations rather than enhance them, which is why many industrial processes remain manual.
Innovative Solutions from RLWRLD
To address these challenges, South Korean startup RLWRLD has developed a cutting-edge AI model specifically designed for robotics. By integrating large language models with traditional robotics software, RLWRLD enables robots to execute quick movements and engage in basic logical reasoning.
“With our foundation model, we can fully automate processes that typically require extensive manual labor, thereby enhancing workplace efficiency,” stated Jung-Hee Ryu, founder and CEO of RLWRLD, in an exclusive interview with TechCrunch.
Funding and Strategic Partnerships
RLWRLD has recently emerged from stealth mode, securing 21 billion KRW (approximately $14.8 million) in seed funding. This funding round was led by venture capital firm Hashed, with additional investments from Mirae Asset Venture Investment and Global Brain.
The startup has garnered interest from significant strategic investors, including:
- Ana Group
- PKSHA
- Mitsui Chemical
- Shimadzu
- KDDI (Japan)
- LG Electronics
- SK Telecom (Korea)
- Amber Manufacturing (India)
Utilizing Seed Funding for Growth
RLWRLD plans to use its seed funding for:
- Conducting proof-of-concept projects with strategic partners
- Securing computing infrastructure, including GPUs
- Purchasing robots and data collection devices
- Hiring top-tier research talent
Additionally, the company aims to develop advanced five-finger hand movements, a capability not yet showcased by competitors such as Tesla, Figure AI, and 1X.
Future Developments and Goals
RLWRLD is collaborating with its strategic investors to automate various human-centric workflows and is preparing a demonstration of humanoid-based autonomous actions later this year. The company also aims to create a versatile platform that supports different types of robots, including:
- Industrial robots
- Collaborative robots
- Autonomous mobile robots
- Humanoid robots
Founder’s Vision and Market Potential
Founded in 2024, RLWRLD is Ryu’s third startup. His previous ventures include Olaworks, which was acquired by Intel, and the startup accelerator Future Play. Ryu was inspired to launch RLWRLD after observing the surge of AI startups in the U.S., Europe, and China, while noting a lack of similar initiatives in Korea and Japan.
After consulting over 30 AI professors in the region about their challenges and opportunities, Ryu decided to focus on developing robotics foundation models (RFM) to leverage Korea and Japan’s manufacturing strengths.
Competition and Unique Advantages
RLWRLD is not alone in this space, with other startups like Skild AI and Physical Intelligence also working on foundational models for robotics. However, Ryu believes RLWRLD’s team of AI and robotics experts positions the company for success. The startup has secured a high-degree-of-freedom (DoF) reference robot, which Ryu claims will lead to superior performance compared to competitors that primarily use low-DoF robots.
Thanks to strategic partnerships, RLWRLD can gather valuable data from nearby manufacturing sites. In 2024, a report indicated that Japan and South Korea accounted for 9.2% of global manufacturing production.
Revenue Generation and Long-Term Vision
RLWRLD aims to start generating revenue as early as this year through proof-of-concept projects and collaboration demonstrations. The long-term vision includes serving factories, logistics centers, retail environments, and potentially even domestic settings for household tasks.
Currently, RLWRLD employs 13 dedicated professionals, all working towards revolutionizing the robotics landscape.
