Minerva Humanoids Secured $10 Million for Robotic Pilots
The startup aims to remove workers from hazardous energy environments using teleoperated humanoid platforms.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Robotics
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Minerva Humanoids has emerged from stealth with $10 million in pre-seed funding led by General Catalyst. The company is now deploying its semi-autonomous humanoid robot, Roger, into paid industrial pilots.
Why it matters
The technology aims to reduce risks for the global energy workforce by utilizing remote-controlled robots for fine manipulation in dangerous settings. This shift responds to the industry's need to automate tasks currently associated with high fatality rates.
The Roger robot prototype was built in five months and utilizes a VR headset for human-in-the-loop control of fine manipulation tasks. Minerva Intelligence software manages the robot's onboard balance and navigation systems.
The players
Minerva Humanoids
A developer of semi-autonomous humanoid robots focusing on industrial and public safety applications.
General Catalyst
A venture capital firm that led the funding round, known for investing in early-stage technology infrastructure.
The details
The Roger system functions as a semi-autonomous platform, allowing a remote specialist to guide the robot's arms and grippers using a VR headset for precision tasks. By processing local sensor data for stability, Minerva Intelligence reduces the latency-related burden on the remote pilot. The company emphasizes a Western industrial supply chain, purposely avoiding single-source components from China for its manufacturing in Germany.
Timeline
Minerva Humanoids was founded in late 2025.
The company announced its funding and emerged from stealth on October 6, 2026.
Paid pilot programs for the robots began in fall 2026.
The company plans to support additional deployments in late 2026.
The Tech Race
Minerva is entering a crowded field of humanoid developers competing to move from lab prototypes to industrial deployment. A successful showcase at the NATO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence establishes a performance benchmark for its teleoperation capabilities.
Industrial firms in the energy sector will be the first to test these humanoid robots during current pilot programs. Future availability depends on the success of these deployments, with broader production in Germany and the United States planned by the company for the near term.
The takeaway
Minerva is attempting to prove that semi-autonomous humanoids can replace humans in high-risk energy roles rather than just performing warehouse tasks. Observers should track the transition from these initial fall 2026 pilot programs to permanent site installations next year.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in industrial automation on the Robotics page.
More information
Visit the Minerva Humanoids official company website to learn more about their platform technology.
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