Robotics and physical AI funding surge as investors chase real-world automation

Business Insider profiled the investors shaping robotics and physical AI, reporting that venture investment in the category rose from around $4 billion in 2019 to $26 billion in 2025, with more than $23 billion already raised this year. The report describes capital flowing into humanoids, autonomous vehicles, warehouse automation, defense robotics, and foundation models for robots. It is a useful physical-AI market signal because it ties falling hardware costs, labor shortages, and better AI models to a measurable investment shift.

Key details: Published June 15, 2026, Robotics and physical AI investment rose from about $4 billion in 2019 to $26 billion in 2025, The category has raised more than $23 billion this year, Investors are backing humanoids, defense robotics, warehouse automation, and robot foundation models.

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