Rivian is stepping deeper into the world of artificial intelligence and robotics with a new spinoff called Mind Robotics. The electric vehicle maker announced the venture in its third-quarter shareholder letter, describing it as an “industrial AI and robotics” company built to transform how physical-world businesses operate.
According to Rivian, Mind Robotics will use industrial AI to reshape how real-world operations run, and it plans to start by using Rivian’s own manufacturing data as a foundation. The company says this data will fuel a “robotics data flywheel,” allowing continuous learning and automation improvements inside and beyond its factories.
On an investor call, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explained that the company had recognized a major opportunity. “We realized we could develop products and robotic solutions that help us operate our manufacturing plants more efficiently,” he said. Scaringe will serve as chairman of the board at Mind Robotics, with Rivian holding a shareholder stake.
Scaringe added that while AI has already revolutionized digital workflows through language models, its potential impact on the physical world is even greater. “We wanted to have direct influence over how advanced AI robotics are designed and developed for industrial use,” he said.
Mind Robotics has already raised $115 million in seed funding, led by venture capital firm Eclipse. The firm’s partner Jiten Behl, a former Rivian executive, confirmed the investment in a LinkedIn post. The round was first reported after early filings surfaced ahead of the announcement.
This new venture marks Rivian’s second spinoff in 2025. Earlier this year, it launched Also Inc., a micromobility startup that grew out of its internal skunkworks division. Also Inc. was backed by Eclipse and Greenoaks Capital, suggesting a similar investor network around Mind Robotics.
Rivian hasn’t confirmed whether any employees are moving over to the new company, but its shareholder letter hints at the possibility. The automaker noted that its “strong bench of technology talent and innovation-driven culture” allows it to expand into new areas while staying focused on its core mission.
By creating Mind Robotics, Rivian appears to be positioning itself at the intersection of automotive manufacturing and industrial automation, a space attracting growing attention from investors. The race to commercialize AI-driven robotics is heating up, with companies like Tesla and General Motors also building their own robotics and AI divisions.
So far, details about Mind Robotics remain scarce. The company has no official website or social media presence yet, and its trademark filing covers an unusually broad range of activities, from machinery and vehicles to even “incubators for eggs.”
While the filing offers little clarity, it signals a bold ambition: to develop versatile, AI-powered robotics systems that could extend far beyond Rivian’s factory floors.
For now, the industry will be watching closely as Mind Robotics takes shape. If successful, the spinoff could turn Rivian’s manufacturing know-how into a competitive advantage in the growing industrial AI sector.
