Startup Safeworld Launches With Over $12 Million to Test Generative AI Robot Safety in Simulations

A new startup named Safeworld has launched from stealth with a seed round of more than $12 million. Shine Capital and a16z Speedrun led the funding round, with additional investments from Box Group, the Carnegie Mellon University Endowment, Innovation Endeavors, and SV Angel. Dr. Ding Zhao, Kyle Wong, and Simo Rachidi founded the company to address the safety and trust challenges of using unpredictable generative artificial intelligence models to control robots.

Safeworld evaluates robotic control systems by running thousands of scenarios in virtual simulations populated with realistic human models. These tests help ensure robots can safely handle unpredictable situations, such as blind corners or people tripping and falling in unstructured environments. The founders believe robot makers will want a trusted third party to validate safety.

Gritt Robotics, which builds artificial intelligence brains for industrial solar farm workers, is partnering with Safeworld to develop these safety simulations.