RoboForce Inc. has unveiled Titan, a new AI-powered mobile manipulator engineered for use in demanding outdoor industrial environments. With this launch, the Milpitas-based robotics company seeks to address hazardous working conditions and high-risk tasks that often challenge human workers. The company has also raised an additional $5 million in funding, underlining growing investor attention in physical AI solutions for industry. The introduction of Titan reflects the increasing reliance on robotics to support critical sectors and signals a shift toward greater automation in harsh environments.
Robotics companies have progressively shifted focus from humanoid robots to more specialized mobile manipulators over recent years. Earlier industry solutions often struggled with operating in variable industrial domains while maintaining high precision and reliability. Competing systems, such as Collaborative Robotics’ Proxie, Mobile Industrial Robots’ MC600, and Dexterity’s dual-armed Mech, have each attracted attention for different application areas and levels of complexity. Investments in robotic automation for safety-critical industries continue to rise, reflecting the expanding potential and demand for adaptive intelligent machines on the industrial frontline.
Titan Targets Demanding Industrial Tasks with Modular Design
The Titan robot features an AI-driven platform built on what RoboForce calls Domain Intelligence, enabling hardware-optimized efficiency, precision, and modularity. The robot’s five core capabilities—pick, place, press, twist, and connect—address a wide range of industrial needs. Titan achieves fine manipulation with 1 millimeter accuracy, supports payloads up to 40 kilograms, and delivers extended functionality with an arm reach of 1,100 millimeters and an operating runtime of up to eight hours. Variants of the base, including both wheeled and tracked options, allow for use on varied terrain.
How Will New Funding Affect RoboForce’s Growth Plans?
RoboForce has secured new funding to add to its $10 million early-stage round from January, bringing total investment to $15 million. This infusion aims to support the build-out of an expanded headquarters in Silicon Valley, which will house advanced research and testing facilities. The company states this capital will help accelerate development and hiring in robotics and AI. Regarding future growth, RoboForce is prioritizing deployment in industries such as solar energy, aerospace, manufacturing, and mining—areas noted for high rates of injury and persistent labor shortages.
Are Mobile Manipulators Becoming the Preferred Industrial Robot?
While humanoid robots have traditionally captured much attention, wheeled mobile manipulators are increasingly positioned as practical alternatives. Capable of autonomously navigating complex environments and performing object manipulation, these robots are being developed by multiple companies aiming to reduce on-site labor risks. Products like the MC600 from Mobile Industrial Robots and Dual-Arm Mech from Dexterity offer different approaches to mobile manipulation, each suited for specific use-cases where versatility and robustness outweigh the need for direct human emulation. Titan represents RoboForce’s entry into this expanding segment, focused on maximizing task flexibility and reducing workplace hazards.
RoboForce projects several pilot programs for Titan in 2025, targeting sectors where environmental and operational hazards persist. The company plans to grow its team, drawing in AI and robotics experts to further develop Titan’s capabilities and address increasingly complex industrial requirements.
The debut of RoboForce’s Titan follows a trend toward robust, modular mobile manipulators that fill the gap between fixed automation and generalized humanoid platforms. Several competitors are designing machines for similar environments, but approaches differ with some prioritizing payload, others focusing on precise handling, and many seeking integration with collaborative robotics systems. For stakeholders considering automation in dangerous or labor-intensive operations, weighing the specific technical abilities and deployment model of each platform is key. In particular, for sectors like mining, manufacturing, and renewables, investing in adaptable, domain-aware robots can directly address workforce shortages and improve safety outcomes.
