Warehouse robotics startup Ultra raised a $12M seed and a $50M Series A, and expands its deal with Physical Intelligence to supply AI software for its robots

Warehouse robots now come with integrated AI for continuous learning and improvement out-of-the-box.

Warehouse robotics startup Ultra announced it has raised a total of $62 million in funding, consisting of a $12 million seed round and a $50 million Series A. The funding was led by Framework Ventures and Y Combinator, with participation from Next View. Ultra also revealed an expanded partnership with AI firm Physical Intelligence, which will supply AI software for Ultra's robots. The company operates on a "robots as a service" model, leasing its specialized packing robots to third-party logistics sites. Ultra's robots have reportedly packed over half a million orders. CEO Jon Miller Schwartz highlighted the real-world impact of non-humanoid robots, contrasting them with the current attention on humanoid robots. The company plans to continue focusing on mechanical engineering and hands-on robot development while leveraging AI from partners like Physical Intelligence.

Ultra's success underscores a growing trend away from capital-intensive robotics purchases towards flexible "as-a-service" models, making advanced automation accessible to more businesses. This strategy not only reduces upfront costs for clients but also allows robotics companies to secure recurring revenue and potentially increase pricing as their offerings mature. The partnership with Physical Intelligence exemplifies a "body and brains" approach, where specialized robotics hardware developers integrate cutting-edge AI from dedicated AI firms, optimizing development focus and data feedback loops for AI model training.

This division of labor allows Ultra to concentrate on its core competencies in mechanical engineering and hardware deployment, while Physical Intelligence benefits from real-world data to refine its AI models. Such collaborations signal a maturing market where specialized expertise is leveraged across the value chain, accelerating innovation. The market can expect more such partnerships as companies seek to combine physical robotics with advanced artificial intelligence to solve complex logistical challenges.