The startup’s key advantage lies in developing a unified artificial intelligence system capable of controlling different types of robots. In other words, a single software can simultaneously operate robots in construction, energy, manufacturing, and even delivery. What makes it even more impressive is that these robots do not require GPS or pre-mapped environments to function — they can move autonomously in complex, unstructured settings.
FieldAI calls this technology “Field Foundation Models (FFMs)”. These models were built from scratch to account for the uncertainties robots face in real-world scenarios. This approach makes robots both safer and more reliable.
The robots have already been tested across the globe — in Japan, Europe, and the United States — with successful results. Major investors, including Bezos Expeditions (Jeff Bezos’s fund), Khosla Ventures, NVIDIA, and Temasek, have backed FieldAI.
The startup aims to expand further and plans to double its workforce by the end of the year.
FieldAI’s team is composed of experts with experience at NASA JPL, SpaceX, Google, Tesla, DeepMind, Amazon, and other leading organizations. Their mission is to apply artificial intelligence in industries to address challenges such as labor shortages, safety risks, and productivity gaps.
The startup’s approach goes beyond building robots — it provides a centralized “brain” for robots. A single AI model can power countless types of machines, bringing industrial and everyday use of robots to a completely new level.
FieldAI was founded by Ali Agha, the company’s founder and CEO, in 2023. Before establishing FieldAI, Agha worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Caltech, where he contributed to Mars exploration projects. He played a key role in enabling autonomous collaboration between Mars helicopters and rovers. He also worked on developing the joint control system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.
Agha has also conducted research at Qualcomm and MIT, focusing on robotics autonomy, UAV swarms, and multi-agent AI. He holds a Ph.D. in Robotics from Texas A&M University.
Looking ahead, FieldAI is continuously advancing its technology to enable robots to navigate even more complex and high-risk environments. This approach not only enhances reliability but also ensures global scalability of robotic applications.
