Imagine a world where robots and AI seamlessly collaborate to revolutionize industries – that's the bold vision Rivian is pursuing with its latest venture. But will it succeed? Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, isn't just focused on cars anymore. They're diving headfirst into the world of artificial intelligence and robotics with the creation of Mind Robotics, their second spinoff company this year, announced November 4, 2025.
This new entity, Mind Robotics, aims to harness the power of "industrial AI" to fundamentally change how businesses operate in the physical world. According to Rivian's third-quarter shareholder letter, the plan is to use Rivian's existing operational data as a launchpad for a "robotics data flywheel." Now, that's quite a mouthful of tech jargon! Rivian has been asked to clarify this vision in simpler terms, and any updates will be shared as they become available.
Rivian has secured approximately $110 million in initial seed funding for Mind Robotics from external sources. While specifics remain scarce for now, Rivian believes that AI-powered robotics can be applied across a vast spectrum of industrial applications. Think automated warehouses, optimized manufacturing processes, and maybe even robots assisting in vehicle production itself. The possibilities, at least in theory, are quite broad.
This isn't Rivian's first foray into spinning off internal projects. Back in March, they launched Also Inc., a micromobility startup focusing on e-bikes and other small electric vehicles. Also Inc. received funding from Eclipse, along with additional investment from Greenoaks Capital, demonstrating Rivian's willingness to foster innovation outside its core automotive business.
But here's where it gets controversial... A trademark application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that Jiten Behl, a partner at Eclipse, is listed as a signatory for Mind Robotics. Furthermore, Eclipse's Palo Alto headquarters is listed as the corporate address. This strong connection to Eclipse raises questions about the level of Rivian's direct control and influence over the new venture. Was Rivian simply looking for funding, or is Eclipse taking a more active role in shaping the direction of Mind Robotics? Behl has not yet commented on the new company.
One burning question remains: are Rivian employees transitioning to Mind Robotics, similar to what happened with Also Inc.? A Rivian spokesperson declined to comment, leaving us to speculate. However, the shareholder letter hinted at this possibility, with CEO RJ Scaringe stating that their "strong bench of technology talent and an innovation-driven culture" allows them to "identify additional areas of value to accelerate our mission on a wider scale while maintaining Rivian’s focus."
Robotics and industrial AI are undeniably attracting significant investment right now. The market is buzzing with humanoid robotics companies, like Tesla, vying for funding and striving to deliver functional products. Even General Motors is actively developing its own robotics and AI division, highlighting the growing recognition of AI and robotics in the industrial sector. The field is becoming crowded, and it remains to be seen if Mind Robotics can meaningfully differentiate itself.
Beyond this initial announcement, very little concrete information is available about Mind Robotics. The company has virtually no online presence, apart from the trademark application. And this is the part most people miss... The trademark application itself is surprisingly broad, encompassing everything from machinery and vehicles to even "incubators for eggs." This raises questions about the specific direction Mind Robotics will take and whether Rivian is intentionally keeping its options open, or if the trademark application is simply a broad attempt to secure intellectual property.
Sean O’Kane at Techcrunch is closely following this story. He has covered the evolution of the transportation industry for a decade, and can be reached at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.
What do you think? Is Rivian's move into industrial AI and robotics a smart strategic decision, or are they spreading themselves too thin? Will Mind Robotics truly reshape industries, or will it become another tech company lost in the shuffle? And given Eclipse's involvement, who do you think will ultimately be calling the shots? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
