Robot Valley

Silicon Valley chip startup SiMa.ai has raised $150 million at a $1.45 billion valuation to develop processors for physical AI, targeting real-world applications such as robotics and autonomous systems. The funding round makes the company a new unicorn and signals continued investor appetite for specialised edge AI semiconductors despite a challenging market for chip startups.

Shenzhen's robotics hub, known as Robot Valley, is cutting the cost of robots thanks to its complete local supply chain, according to a report by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. With component makers, assemblers and engineers concentrated in one city, manufacturers can source parts quickly and cheaply, lowering production costs. The report highlights Shenzhen's growing role as a global centre for robot manufacturing.