MetAI, Nvidia’s first Taiwanese startup investment, announced $4 million in funding

On January 15, 2024, MetAI announced it has raised $4 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its simulation-ready digital twin technology and expand its global operations.

Investors in this round include Addin Ventures, Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, NVIDIA, Solomon Technology, SparkLabs Taiwan, and Upstream Ventures.

The funding will enhance research and development, grow the engineering team, and support expansion into the US market. MetAI’s primary focus is on industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, and automated warehousing.

Faster Digital Twin Creation Technology

MetAI’s platform drastically reduces the time needed to create simulation-ready digital twins. By converting CAD files into operational 3D environments within minutes, the platform eliminates the need for extensive 3D modeling expertise. Businesses can quickly create prototypes and operational simulations, accelerating their design and testing processes.

Daniel Yu, CEO and Co-founder of MetAI, stated, “Developing physically accurate digital twins is seen as a barrier to entry for those looking to develop physical AI at scale. We’re changing that narrative by enabling businesses to instantly train AI systems—whether for robotics, logistics, or manufacturing—in physics-based virtual environments with unprecedented efficiency and scalability.”

The next phase of AI development, referred to as physical AI, requires realistic simulation environments for training robots and autonomous systems. MetAI’s platform transforms CAD files into functional 3D simulations, addressing the complexity and time constraints traditionally associated with creating these environments.

Making Autonomous Robots More Efficient with Digital Twins

MetAI’s platform is also accelerating the development of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These robots are increasingly used in industries like warehousing and manufacturing to improve efficiency and reduce manual labor. By providing dynamic, physics-based simulations, MetAI enables AMRs to train and adapt to various operational scenarios before being deployed in real-world environments.

The digital twins generated by MetAI allow AMRs to navigate, optimize routes, and perform tasks in complex environments with high precision. This significantly reduces the risks and costs associated with real-world testing and ensures that AMRs can operate effectively in diverse settings.

Image Credits: MetAI

MetAI’s collaboration with Kenmec Mechanical Engineering demonstrates the efficiency of its technology. The partnership focused on developing digital twins for automated warehouses, reducing simulation setup times from thousands of hours to just three minutes.

Jonas Ko, President of Kenmec, said, “MetAI is changing the automated industry with its digital twin and simulation technologies. With their advanced technology combined with Kenmec’s leading automated solutions, we aim to work together to deliver the most optimal and efficient outcomes for end customers.”

How MetAI is Enhancing Semiconductors, Warehousing, and Robotics

MetAI’s digital twin technology offers significant benefits across several industries. In semiconductor manufacturing, the technology enables fab construction and production line simulations, reducing project timelines by up to a year. In warehousing, businesses can optimize layouts and workflows through rapid digital twin creation. In robotics, the platform provides realistic training environments for autonomous systems, helping them achieve higher accuracy and performance.

As part of the NVIDIA Inception program, MetAI has integrated NVIDIA Omniverse technologies to enhance the precision and scalability of its platform. This collaboration allows MetAI to provide faster and more reliable simulations for industrial applications, supporting AI training in complex, physics-based virtual environments.

Plans to expand to the US market

Building on its success in Taiwan’s manufacturing and automation sectors, MetAI plans to expand into the US market in 2025. The company aims to deliver its digital twin technology to the semiconductor and automated warehousing industries, helping businesses in these sectors achieve greater efficiency and innovation.

Daniel Yu stated that the funding would allow MetAI to “scale its technology and operations globally, with a focus on the US market, where demand for innovative digital transformation solutions is rapidly growing.”

MetAI’s funding marks a significant step forward in advancing digital twin technology and its applications across various industries. With support from major investors and collaborations with industry leaders like Kenmec and NVIDIA, the company is well-positioned to transform the future of physical AI and digital transformation.

〔Original : Meet Global〕
https://meet-global.bnext.com.tw/articles/view/48151