Amazon hires the three founders of AI robotics startup Covariant and takes a license from the company. Covariant continues operating, with Stinson as CEO and Zhang leading it.
Amazon hires Covariant founders Abbeel, Chen, and Duan, along with about a quarter of the company's staff, and takes a non-exclusive RFM license. Covariant continues serving customers. The move forms part of Amazon's effort to accelerate the use of AI in robotics at scale.
Covariant launches RFM-1, a robotics foundation model that brings generative AI reasoning to warehouse robots. The company characterizes the release as “ChatGPT for robots,” presenting the model as an application of generative AI to warehouse robotics.
Covariant raises an additional $75 million through a Series C extension. Co-led by Radical Ventures and Index Ventures, the financing brings Covariant’s total funding to $222 million.
