Vancouver, BC - March 5th, 2025 - Sanctuary AI is a Vancouver, Canada-based company founded in 2018 with a mission to develop the world’s first human-like intelligence in general-purpose humanoid robots. The company aims to address global labor challenges, such as those caused by aging populations and shrinking workforces, by creating robots capable of performing tasks that are too dull, dirty, or dangerous for humans.

Their vision extends beyond immediate labour solutions, aspiring to support humanity’s future exploration and settlement of outer space. Their flagship product is the Phoenix robot, a humanoid designed to work alongside humans, either autonomously or under remote supervision. Powered by a proprietary AI control system called Carbon, Phoenix is engineered to mimic human movement and cognitive processes, with a focus on dexterity, tactile feedback, and fine manipulation.

The robot is intended for industries like automotive, manufacturing, and logistics, where it could enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Recent advancements include the integration of advanced tactile sensors and miniaturized hydraulic systems, improving the robot’s ability to handle complex, touch-driven tasks. Sanctuary AI was founded by a team with a strong track record in innovation, including Geordie Rose (co-founder of D-Wave, a quantum computing pioneer), Suzanne Gildert (former director at AInBC), Olivia Norton, and Ajay Agrawal.

The team’s prior ventures also include Kindred, which pioneered reinforcement learning in production robots, and the Creative Destruction Lab, known for commercializing scientific breakthroughs. This experience informs their approach to tackling deep technical challenges in robotics and AI. The company has attracted significant attention and investment, raising over $140 million from backers like BDC Capital, InBC, Accenture, Verizon Ventures, and Magna, among others.

In 2022, it also secured a $30 million contribution from Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund. Sanctuary AI has been recognized for its intellectual property, ranking third in humanoid robotics patent filings according to Morgan Stanley’s research, and its Phoenix robot was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023. Collaborations with major players like Microsoft, leveraging Azure infrastructure for AI development, and partnerships with firms like Accenture and Magna, underscore Sanctuary AI’s growing influence.

While still a private company without a public stock listing, its focus on embodied AI and general-purpose robotics positions it as a contender in the rapidly evolving humanoid robotics field, competing with companies like Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, and Tesla. Critics might question the scalability of humanoid robots versus specialized automation, but Sanctuary AI argues that versatile, human-like robots are essential for addressing broad labor shortages and future societal needs.

#Sanctuary AI #Humanoid Robots #AI Innovation #Future Of Work #Robotics Tech #Phoenix Robot #Artificial Intelligence #Automation Revolution #WBN News Vancouver #DowntownVancouver #Elke Porter

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