Tech startup Walden Robotics on Wednesday launched from stealth mode, saying it will deploy humanoid robots into real production environments in manufacturing and logistics, “doing useful work side-by-side with people.”
Massachusetts-based Walden Robotics said its general-purpose robots can continuously learn and improve while performing real work. The firm says that approach enables skilled team members to delegate difficult-to-automate tasks, so they can focus on the problem-solving, judgment, and dedication to craft that make their work more gratifying and impactful.
The firm has now launched with $300 million in venture funding, in a round that was led by Toyota (Toyota Motor Corp, Toyota Invention Partners, and Toyota Ventures) and Deviation Capital. Additional backing came from NVIDIA, Boeing, AE Ventures, Samsung Ventures, Prologis Ventures, CoreWeave Ventures, and financial partners Calibrate Ventures, Colle Capital, Shine Capital, NextView Ventures, Squarepoint Capital, One Madison Group, KAS Venture Partners, and Menlo Ventures, among others.
Walden launched out of Toyota Research Institute in January 2026 and began working with customers across multiple industries immediately. Since February, Walden’s general-purpose robots have been doing useful work in production at a Toyota plant in North America, moving from first pilot to real work in under two months.
“Core advances in Physical AI, and all of the excitement and attention surrounding it, has made disruptive change possible,” said Dr. Russ Tedrake, co-founder and CEO of Walden, a professor at MIT, and former Senior Vice President of Large Behavior Models at Toyota Research Institute. “But providing real value to customers and building a robust and scalable business requires a deep understanding and respect for how manufacturing is done today. The best way to make fast and positive progress is by working closely together with the real experts.”
