FORT Robotics secures $18.9M to expand robot safety tech

FORT Robotics just raised another $18.9 million to help make robots safer and easier to control. The new funding, part of its Series B round, brings the company’s total funding to $60.5 million.

The round was led by Tiger Global, with both new and returning investors joining in. According to FORT, the money will help improve its robot control products and develop new tools that keep people and machines working together safely.

“Robotics and physical AI are quickly transforming every worksite globally,” said Samuel Reeves, CEO of FORT Robotics. “As robot fleets grow and work alongside people, the need for robust functional safety becomes even more vital. We’re seeing sharp acceleration in new customers and growth from long-time users of the FORT platform. We’re excited to welcome new investors who share our vision for the changing worksite, and we’re deeply appreciative of the ongoing investment from long-time partners like Tiger Global.”

FORT’s platform is used across a range of industries—everything from warehouse automation and self-driving vehicles to agriculture, construction, and defense. The company says more robots on the job means a bigger need for safety tools that protect people, equipment, and data.

As part of the funding news, FORT also added three new board members:

• Kirk D. Brown, COO and CFO of SportsMedia Technology, and former COO of Overwatch Geospatial.
• Jorge Heraud, CEO of TerraBlaster, and former VP of Automation at John Deere.
• Benjamin G. Wolff, CEO of Palladyne AI and co-founder of Clearwire, which was sold to Sprint.

All three bring deep experience in robotics, AI, and business leadership, and will help guide the company as it grows.

The new funding will be used to:

• Make current products more flexible by adding new communication options and meeting more international standards.
• Build new tools that collect data and support better safety for complex machines.
• Speed up product development and help more companies use FORT’s safety systems.

Investor interest in FORT continues to grow. Along with Tiger Global, other returning backers include Prime Movers Lab, Mark Cuban, FundersClub, Creative Ventures, GRIDS Capital, and Ahoy Capital. New investors include Neman Ventures, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, and Japan-based Ryuu Co.

“At Neman Ventures, we strategically invest in companies at the forefront of transformative technologies,” said Shane Neman, CIO and General Partner of Neman Ventures. “FORT Robotics' commitment to safety for physical AI and intelligent machines directly aligns with our vision for the future of work and advanced automation. Their platform is a crucial enabler for the next generation of robotics, including emerging areas like humanoids. We are excited to support FORT as they expand their comprehensive safety solutions.”