Eka Robotics raises $150M to teach robots to grip by feel

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Eka Robotics has raised a $150M Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz and F-Prime at a $1.45B post-money valuation. The startup trains a Vision-Force-Action model that combines vision with force-sensor feedback from its own sub-$1,000 robot hand.

• Post-money valuation is $1.45B, with a16z and F-Prime leading
• Its custom robot hand costs under $1,000 and is rated for 5M cycles
• The robot handles objects up to 1 kg with over 95% success at 1,500 picks/hour
• Training runs in a physics simulator using reinforcement learning