Intro
Sanctuary AI aims to build the world’s first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots that can perform a wide range of tasks requiring dexterity, tactile feedback, and fine manipulation. Their humanoid robot, Phoenix, features 19 degrees of freedom and proprietary haptic technology, enabling it to perform complex tasks such as placing items in bags and stacking blocks with human-like precision.
The company’s AI control system, Carbon, is trained not on specific tasks but on fundamental movements (e.g., touch, grasp, push, rotate), creating an "alphabet" of actions that allows the robot to generalize and execute hundreds of tasks autonomously. Sanctuary AI has strategic partnerships with major industry players like Magna International, which will manufacture Phoenix robots and deploy them in automotive manufacturing facilities to collect real-world training data.
Sanctuary AI collaborates with Microsoft to leverage Azure cloud resources for AI development, focusing on "Large Behavior Models" that ground AI in physical world experience. The company is backed by investors including Accenture Ventures, Magna, Bell, and Verizon Ventures, having raised over $90 million.
Robots
- Phoenix: A 5’7” humanoid robot with human-like dexterous hands, capable of carrying 55 lbs, moving at speeds up to 3 mph, and performing a wide variety of tasks thanks to its advanced AI and haptic sensing.
Specialism
Specializes in general-purpose humanoid robots with advanced dexterity, tactile sensing, and AI-driven autonomous manipulation. Their approach emphasizes embodied AI trained on fundamental movement primitives to enable versatile task execution in industrial and commercial environments.
Business Viability
- Raised approximately $92.6 million from strategic investors including Magna, Accenture, Bell, and Verizon Ventures.
- Strategic manufacturing and deployment partnership with Magna, a global automotive supplier.
- Collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate AI development using cloud infrastructure.
- Strong leadership team with founders experienced in AI, robotics, and quantum computing.
- Focus on solving labor shortages in manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors with scalable humanoid robotics.
- Active media presence and industry recognition as a leader in embodied AI robotics.
- Growing team size estimated between 51–200 employees.
