Minerva Humanoids Raised $10 Million for Robot Pilots
The startup exited stealth mode to deploy humanoid robots in hazardous energy and public safety work environments.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Robotics
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Minerva Humanoids has secured $10 million in pre-seed funding led by General Catalyst. The capital will support the company as it launches its first paid pilots for semi-autonomous robots designed to perform dangerous tasks.
Why it matters
The company aims to mitigate risks for the global energy workforce by replacing humans in hazardous environments. By utilizing remote-controlled robotics, it seeks to improve safety standards in sectors plagued by frequent industrial fatalities.
The firm developed its functional prototype in five months and maintains a supply chain independent of single-source Chinese components. Its robot, Roger, utilizes Minerva Intelligence for navigation and balance via remote control.
The players
General Catalyst
This venture capital firm leads the investment round and focuses on supporting early-stage technology startups.
Minerva Humanoids
The startup manufactures semi-autonomous robots designed to operate in high-risk industrial sectors.
Roger
This semi-autonomous humanoid robot is equipped to perform complex manipulation tasks in dangerous environments.
The details
Minerva utilizes a Western industrial base to manufacture prototypes in Germany, while software development remains split across offices in San Francisco and Cambridge. The system enables specialists to conduct fine manipulation through a VR headset, recently demonstrated at a NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal showcase.
Timeline
Minerva Humanoids was founded in late 2025.
The company emerged from stealth and announced its funding on October 6, 2026.
The company began launching its first paid pilot programs in the fall of 2026.
Additional robot deployments are scheduled for late 2026.
The Tech Race
The emergence of Minerva highlights the shift toward using humanoid form factors to replace manual labor in dangerous, legacy energy infrastructure roles. This mirrors a broader industry push to integrate teleoperation with AI navigation to handle tasks previously reserved for human operators.
Workers in the energy sector may see increased use of remote robotic systems to handle high-risk maintenance and inspection tasks. These pilots represent a move toward removing humans from environments where fatal accidents occur frequently.
The takeaway
Minerva is banking on the transition to safer industrial operations by leveraging telepresence to decouple human workers from physical hazards. Their reliance on localized manufacturing suggests a strategic effort to insulate their supply chain from international disruptions.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Robotics.
More information
View the latest project updates on the Minerva Humanoids official company website.
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Should robots replace humans in the world's most dangerous jobs to improve workplace safety?
