Skild Breaks Stealth to Unveil Vision of “One Brain” for Every Robot

After months of silence following its stealth debut in July 2024, robotics startup Skild has resurfaced with a bold vision and a glimpse into its rapid progress: a unified foundation model for general-purpose robotics, One Brain for any task, on any robot.

Founded in 2023 by leading Carnegie Mellon University professors, Skild brings together a powerhouse team of researchers and engineers whose work has shaped the state of modern robotics. The company’s latest update showcases early milestones on its path to building a general-purpose control system that can operate humanoids, quadrupeds, and manipulators through a single, cohesive model.

At the heart of Skild’s platform is the Skild Brain, a robotics foundation model trained on a diverse mix of large-scale action datasets spanning simulation environments, internet videos, and real-world robot interactions. This "omni-bodied" model promises to break away from the fragmentation that has historically slowed down robotics deployment—eliminating the need to train and fine-tune separate systems for every platform or task.

While many robotics companies are racing to build form-specific solutions—like humanoids for warehouse automation or mobile manipulators for delivery—Skild is focusing on a unifying intelligence layer that could power any robotic body across industries. The goal is ambitious: enabling robots to move seamlessly between form factors and functions, whether it's sorting packages, navigating complex terrain, or assisting in surgical settings.

With its roots deep in academic research and its sights set on commercial real-world impact, Skild is poised to become a foundational player in the next wave of robotics innovation. The company's journey has only just begun, but their mission is clear, and the robotics world is watching.