RoboForce Raises $10M to Revolutionize Labor
Last summer, Leo Ma, founder of RoboForce, stood on the blistering ground of a solar farm in Phoenix. Watching workers endure extreme heat to install solar panels, he couldn’t help but question why humans were still performing such grueling tasks. His answer? They shouldn’t have to.
Ma’s vision materialized 19 months ago with the founding of RoboForce, a robotics company dedicated to developing hyper-accurate robots capable of handling labor-intensive and hazardous jobs. Today, the company announced $10 million in early-stage funding, backed by notable investors including Nobel Laureate economist Myron Scholes, venture capitalist Gary Rieschel, and Carnegie Mellon University, Ma’s alma mater.
A Mission Born from Experience
RoboForce represents the culmination of Ma’s career in robotics and AI. Previously, Ma worked on autonomous driving software at Baidu USA and co-founded CYNGN, an automated driving company that went public. “Building AI robotics is all I do,” he said, emphasizing his dedication to creating machines that improve human lives by eliminating dangerous or tedious work.
RoboForce’s inaugural product is a 1.5-meter-tall robot with sleek black metal arms, designed to tackle repetitive and physically demanding tasks with unmatched precision. The robot, capable of millimeter-level accuracy, is already set to launch pilot projects in the solar industry—a sector facing critical labor shortages.
Solving a Solar Panel Crisis
The solar energy market is ripe for disruption. In 2024, approximately 53 gigawatts of solar projects were delayed due to workforce shortages and long equipment lead times, according to Wood Mackenzie. RoboForce’s robots are designed to fill this gap, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient solution.
Unlike its competitors, such as AES Corporation’s Maximo, Ma claims RoboForce stands out for its unparalleled precision. “RoboForce is the first and only robot that combines advanced AI and mechanical action with one-millimeter accuracy,” Ma explained. This precision allows the robots to perform intricate tasks, such as tightening screws, even in challenging environments like the Arizona desert.
Building Beyond the Desert
The solar market is just the starting point for RoboForce. Ma envisions a future where these hyper-accurate robots tackle a wide range of industries, from factory work to underground drilling. The company’s long-term ambition? To help humanity build infrastructure on the moon.
“Our moonshot dream is helping build the moon base on the moon,” Ma said, underscoring RoboForce’s aspiration to push the boundaries of robotic innovation.
The Road Ahead
As RoboForce prepares to launch its pilot projects, it faces competition from well-funded players in the robotics space. However, with its groundbreaking technology and Ma’s relentless drive, the company is well-positioned to transform labor across industries.
By replacing menial and dangerous jobs with hyper-accurate robots, RoboForce is not only addressing immediate workforce challenges, but also redefining the role of humans in the labor market. The desert, it seems, is just the beginning.
