The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Persona AI raises $27M to develop humanoid robots for shipyards

By The Robot Report Staff | May 17, 2025

Concept renders showing the different jobs Persona AI's humanoids could be deployed for.

Concept renders showing different jobs for Persona AI’s humanoids. | Source: Persona AI

Persona AI Inc., a humanoid robot and embodied artificial intelligence developer, this week said it has closed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, raising $27 million. The Houston-based company plans to use the investment to accelerate development and deployment of its platform, which is engineered for tasks in shipbuilding and manufacturing.

Robotics veterans founded the startup in 2024. Nic Radford, the CEO, was the founder and former CEO of Nauticus Robotics. Radford also has 15 years of experience at NASA, where he was the principal investigator at NASA’s Dexterous Robotics Lab.

Jerry Pratt was chief technology officer at Figure AI and now holds the same position at Persona AI. Finally, Jide Akinyode was the vice president of engineering at Nauticus Robotics and is now chief operating officer at Persona AI.

Persona AI addresses industrial tasks

Persona AI said it is designing its humanoid robots to combine industrial-grade precision with human-like dexterity for tasks in physically demanding environments. The company asserted that its system will address critical labor shortages and enhance workplace safety, supporting supply chain resiliency in economically vital global industries.

In addition, Persona AI said its robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business model eliminates the need for large upfront capital investments from clients.

“We’re deeply grateful to our investors, not just for capital, but for their conviction in a bold vision,” stated Radford. “These partners understand the scale and transformative potential of humanoid robot labor. This level of commitment reflects the magnitude of the opportunity and a trust in what we’re pursuing, which we don’t take lightly.”

The round was co-led by Unity Growth and Tides Ventures. Also participating were Mirae Asset Group, Invicta Growth, Fathom Fund, Embedded Ventures, Wave Function Ventures, Zero Infinity Partners, dConstruct Technologies, Goose Capital, SGH, Sound Media Ventures, Kalea Ventures, K50 Ventures, Cofounder Ventures, Tola Capital, SGA Capital, and Olive Hill Ventures, and K2 Global.

“In the field of humanoid robotics, Persona stands out for tackling the most challenging problems in industrial labor,” said Shankar Gupta Boddu, general partner at Unity Growth. “Their mission goes beyond automation; they’re working towards building a safer and more efficient workplace.”


SITE AD for the 2025 RoboBusiness call for presentations. Now accepting session submissions!


Humanoid robots race to commercial deployments

Persona AI said it has already signed an agreement with HD Hyundai, a global leader in shipbuilding, to deploy humanoids into shipyards, with initial delivery expected within 18 months.

The company is far from the only one developing humanoid robots for commercial applications, but its aim for use in shipyards sets the startup apart. Other developers have their sights set on logistics or automotive manufacturing, two industries that are major adopters of robotics in general.

Last year, GXO deployed a “small fleet” of Digit humanoids from Agility Robotics at a Spanx facility in Georgia. Later, Schaeffler AG made a minority investment into Agility and planned to buy Digit robots for use across its global plant network. These marked the first paid deployments for humanoid robots.

Figure AI is also reportedly shipping its Figure 02 system to its first paying customers. While Figure did not revealed the identity of its first customer, the company said BMW Group had tested Figure 02 for handling fitted sheet-metal parts on its automotive production line for two weeks in Spartanburg, S.C.

,Also, Hyundai, Boston Dynamics‘ parent company, plans to deploy its Atlas humanoid across its automotive factories (see video below).

Some analysts, such as Morgan Stanley, have predicted that the market for humanoid labor could reach $3 trillion in the U.S. alone, driven by advancements in AI and the global demand for intelligent automation that mirrors human capabilities.

Others, like Interact Analysis, acknowledged that such robots offer a large opportunity, but said uptake will be low in the short and medium term. Despite the hype about humanoids and significant investment activity, the market research firm predicted that market growth will be relatively slow, reaching over 40,000 units by 2032, with a total market revenue of about $2 billion.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

The SCHURTER UHP Fuse.
SCHURTER releases UHP high-current SMD fuse for humanoids
headshot of Cam Myers of CreateMe and the robot report podcast logo.
How robotics is changing the apparel industry
NEXCOM is working with NVIDIA on AI robot safety.
NEXCOM NexCOBOT unit joins NVIDIA Halos AI Systems Inspection Lab
A person wearing a Wandercraft exoskeleton catching a ball thrown to them by a woman in white.
Wandercraft raises $75M to scale exoskeletons, humanoids

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
  • Modular motors and gearboxes make product development simple
The Robot Report
  • Automated Warehouse
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe