Path Robotics Just Raised $100M—And It’s About to Change U.S. Manufacturing Forever

What if robots, powered by advanced artificial intelligence, could handle the most repetitive and labor-intensive tasks?

Amid a wave of change in American manufacturing, Path Robotics emerged from a pressing need—one that threatened the foundation of the industry. Brothers Andy and Alex Lonsberry witnessed firsthand the challenges facing the U.S. welding sector, which was buckling under the weight of persistent labor shortages. Instead of merely observing the decline, they embarked on a mission to reimagine how manufacturing could thrive in a modern context.

What if robots, powered by advanced artificial intelligence, could handle the most repetitive and labor-intensive tasks? What if, through the combination of machine learning and robotics, welding could become more efficient, precise, and scalable? These visionary questions laid the groundwork for Path Robotics, a company determined to revolutionize the sector by addressing its most critical challenge: the lack of skilled labor.

Now, after years of innovation, Path Robotics is making headlines once again, securing $100 million in Series D funding led by Matter Venture Partners and Drive Capital. This latest investment round, with additional support from Yamaha Ventures, Taiwania Capital, MediaTek, Catapult Ventures, Gaingels, Addition, Tiger Global, and Basis Set, is a testament to how far the company has come and how crucial its mission has become for American manufacturing.

“With Matter Venture Partners, there was a mutual attraction we both recognized,” explained Andy Lonsberry, Co-Founder and CEO of Path Robotics. “There are multiple layers to what we’re doing at Path; we build software, but it powers hardware. We serve the welding industry, but with cutting-edge AI, robotics, and machine learning. Having an investor that understands those layers is important to our success and continued growth.”

Path Robotics’ vision is rooted in enhancing the welding industry through AI-powered automation. Their flagship products, the AW-3 Robotic Welding Cell and the AF-1 Robotic Welding Cell, combine advanced vision systems, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to autonomously weld steel parts. These robots, deployed across the U.S. and Canada, empower manufacturers to tackle large-scale projects with unmatched precision, enabling human workers to transition to more strategic roles.

Ryan Shondell, VP of Engineering at Path Robotics, shared insights on their innovative approach: “At Path Robotics, we leverage software, hardware, computer vision, machine learning, and AI to infuse human-like intelligence into traditional robotics. The data generated by our systems is crucial for scalability; it allows us to teach robots how to emulate human behavior and drive product growth. Our expertise in engineering and AI enables us to create robots equipped with the ‘eyes’ and ‘hands’ necessary to gather data, adapt through algorithms, and execute actions based on a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing outcomes.”

The urgency of this technology is underscored by the reality that the manufacturing industry does not have enough skilled workers to keep pace with demand. “Right now, we are laser-focused on welding because it addresses a critical issue for our customers. However, the technology we are developing has the potential to transform every aspect of manufacturing—whether it’s preparing raw materials, assembling components, welding, grinding, or painting. The labor shortage is not going away,” Shondell added.

This new capital infusion brings Path Robotics’ total venture funding to $170 million, building on previous investments from prominent backers like Drive Capital, Addition, Tiger Global, Basis Set, Lemnos, and SVB. But funding is only one part of the story. Path Robotics is determined to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that the U.S. manufacturing sector remains competitive in a global economy increasingly reliant on automation.

“America is leading the way in AI but has fallen behind in manufacturing and the hard skills that enable it. No longer,” said Nick Solaro, General Partner at Drive Capital. “Path Robotics represents a sea change in how America builds things and sets the country on a course to once again be a manufacturing powerhouse.”

Beyond their current welding solutions, Path Robotics is expanding its reach with Path Foundry™, a new contract manufacturing entity designed to revolutionize how companies approach welding and related projects. Powered by AI-driven robotics, Path Foundry™ offers faster project completion times, even amid labor shortages, and operates under a flexible Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, making high-quality welding more accessible than ever before.

Modern manufacturing increasingly relies on just-in-time supply chains and the ability to respond swiftly to production changes. As Shondell emphasized, “The capacity to adapt can be the difference between success and failure for a company. Retooling or retraining the existing workforce is costly.” As Path Robotics continues to innovate, they remain laser-focused on their mission: to help U.S. manufacturers not only survive but thrive amid growing demands.

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Picture of Anshika Mathews
Anshika Mathews
Anshika is the Senior Content Strategist for AIM Research. She holds a keen interest in technology and related policy-making and its impact on society. She can be reached at anshika.mathews@aimresearch.co
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