Armstrong Robotics, co-founded by Axel Hansen and Jonah Varon, has raised $12 million in funding to push the boundaries of human-centered industrial robotics, combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and intuitive control systems to make automation smarter, safer, and more adaptive.

The funding round was led by Lerer Hippeau, with participation from Bloomberg Beta, Next Play Ventures, Transmedia Capital, and WestWave Capital  -  a powerful coalition of investors betting on Armstrong’s vision to make robotics as collaborative as they are intelligent.

This milestone marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of automation  -  one where robotics are no longer confined to factory floors, but designed to work side by side with humans, amplifying human capability instead of replacing it.

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The Vision: Collaborative Intelligence Over Full Automation

Armstrong Robotics is challenging the long-held narrative that automation means replacement. Instead, the company envisions a world where robots act as partners, performing repetitive or hazardous tasks while humans focus on creativity, strategy, and innovation.

The company’s modular robotic systems are powered by adaptive AI models that can perceive and respond to their environment in real time. Using advanced sensor fusion and reinforcement learning, these robots can dynamically adjust to new workflows, materials, and layouts without the need for extensive reprogramming.

“True automation should feel intuitive, not intimidating,” said Axel Hansen, co-founder and CEO. “At Armstrong, we’re not just building machines  -  we’re designing teammates. Robots that understand context, respond to people, and improve continuously.”

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The Technology Behind the Platform

At the heart of Armstrong’s technology is its Adaptive Motion Engine (AME)  -  a proprietary software platform that integrates computer vision, spatial mapping, and predictive learning.

Unlike traditional industrial systems that require rigid programming, Armstrong’s robots learn tasks visually and contextually, similar to how humans learn by observation and repetition. This enables rapid deployment across industries like manufacturing, logistics, construction, and energy, where flexibility and safety are equally critical.

Through AME, operators can train robots using natural interactions  -  gestures, voice commands, or AR-assisted guidance  -  reducing setup times by over 60% compared to legacy automation systems.

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Strategic Insight: Why Human-Centered Robotics Wins

Armstrong’s success represents a broader paradigm shift  -  from automation for efficiency to automation for empowerment.

For founders, this offers a key insight: the most resilient technologies of the AI era aren’t those that eliminate humans, but those that amplify them.

In high-stakes environments like manufacturing and logistics, fully autonomous systems face steep challenges  -  unpredictable conditions, safety concerns, and resistance from the workforce. Armstrong sidesteps these issues by making collaboration its core principle.

By designing robots that integrate seamlessly into human workflows, the company avoids the binary “man vs. machine” narrative and positions itself at the forefront of augmented labor, a category expected to grow from $67 billion in 2023 to $260 billion by 2030 (IDC Research).

As co-founder Jonah Varon put it, “The future isn’t about replacing workers with robots  -  it’s about giving workers robotic superpowers.”

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Why Investors Are Betting Big on Armstrong

Armstrong’s ability to merge advanced robotics with human-centered design has caught the attention of top-tier investors. Lerer Hippeau and Bloomberg Beta, both known for backing category-defining startups, saw Armstrong’s potential to set the standard for safe, intelligent automation in complex environments.

The funds will be used to:

• Scale production of Armstrong’s robotic modules and AI systems.
  
• Expand the company’s research and development in adaptive control and cognitive sensing.
  
• Grow partnerships with industrial and logistics clients across North America and Europe.
  
• Accelerate the launch of its Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model to democratize access to automation.
  

This investment underscores a growing trend in robotics funding  -  a shift from pure hardware plays to intelligence-first systems that deliver value through data, learning, and integration.

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Industry Outlook: The Rise of Intelligent Co-Robots

The global robotics industry is on the cusp of exponential growth, projected to surpass $260 billion by 2030 (Boston Consulting Group), with collaborative robotics (cobots) expected to account for 30% of total industrial deployments.

This surge is driven by several forces:

• Labor shortages in manufacturing and logistics, creating urgent demand for automation.
  
• Safety regulations pushing for hybrid human-robot workflows.
  
• AI breakthroughs enabling perception, reasoning, and adaptability in physical environments.
  

Armstrong is uniquely positioned at the convergence of these trends. Its focus on non-disruptive deployment and cross-industry scalability gives it a strategic edge over both traditional robotics vendors and new AI entrants.

By fusing hardware precision with software intelligence, Armstrong aims to become the default automation partner for mid-market enterprises  -  those too large for manual processes but too dynamic for rigid industrial systems.

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Human Touch in a Machine World

Armstrong’s philosophy redefines what progress looks like in automation. Its machines are designed not to dominate, but to cooperate, reshaping the relationship between humans and technology.

This aligns with a broader ethical and operational vision  -  one where AI and robotics serve as creative collaborators, not silent replacements.

“The goal is not to remove humans from the equation,” said Hansen. “It’s to give them better tools, better data, and better opportunities to focus on what humans do best  -  problem-solving, imagination, and leadership.”

As industries grapple with both efficiency demands and workforce evolution, Armstrong’s model offers a balanced blueprint for the future  -  where automation scales productivity while preserving humanity.

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What’s Next for Armstrong Robotics

With $12 million in new funding, Armstrong Robotics plans to:

• Launch pilot programs in automotive manufacturing, aerospace assembly, and advanced logistics.
  
• Develop AI safety protocols to set new standards for human-robot collaboration.
  
• Establish its first Automation Experience Center in the U.S. for clients to train, test, and integrate solutions.
  
• Expand its engineering team to accelerate advancements in edge AI and motion learning.
  

By bridging physical and digital intelligence, Armstrong aims to make automation accessible to every enterprise  -  from factories to fulfillment centers, from startups to legacy operators.

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A Future Built on Partnership

Armstrong Robotics represents the next generation of automation  -  one defined not by speed or scale alone, but by synergy.

By building robots that learn, adapt, and collaborate, the company stands as proof that the real revolution in robotics isn’t about machines replacing people  -  it’s about machines finally understanding them.