GrayMatter Robotics opens 100,000-sq-ft physical AI manufacturing center in California

GrayMatter Robotics has opened a 100,000-square-foot AI robotics innovation center in Carson, California, featuring over 25 active robotic cells that perform real manufacturing operations for customers and partners. The facility represents a major expansion following the company’s $85 million venture funding round and positions the company at the forefront of “physical AI” — artificial intelligence that manipulates the physical world through robotic systems rather than just processing digital information.

What you should know: This facility goes far beyond a typical corporate headquarters, functioning as an interactive experience center where visitors can witness AI-powered robots autonomously program themselves and begin processing parts they’ve never encountered before.
• The 25+ robotic cells actively perform manufacturing operations including sanding, grinding, polishing, buffing, spraying, blasting, and inspection across diverse materials and geometries.
• Unlike traditional automation that requires 80+ hours of manual programming per unique part, GrayMatter’s systems scan parts and autonomously program themselves in under a minute.
• The facility creates over 100 high-skilled jobs immediately, with plans to add hundreds more positions over the next few years.

The big picture: Physical AI represents the next frontier beyond digital intelligence, focusing on artificial intelligence that interacts with and manipulates the physical world rather than just processing text, images, or data.
• “Physical AI is a different kind of AI. It significantly expands upon digital AI we’ve seen explode over the past few years,” explained Satyandra K. Gupta, Chief Scientist and co-founder.
• “While a language model can write you an essay, our physical AI can autonomously figure out how to finish a never-before-seen aerospace component to aerospace-grade specifications.”

Why this matters: The technology addresses one of American manufacturing’s most persistent challenges — automating surface finishing in high-mix production environments where products constantly vary.
• Traditional robotic automation only works when producing identical items repeatedly, leaving thousands of U.S. manufacturers unable to automate critical finishing operations.
• GrayMatter’s systems operate 1.5x–4x faster than manual operations while improving quality and deploy in 2–4 months versus 12–24 months for traditional automation.
• Fast Company named GrayMatter Robotics one of the Most Innovative Companies in Robotics and Engineering for 2025, highlighting how the company is “tackling one of manufacturing’s toughest challenges.”

How it works: The company’s proprietary GMR-AI™ technology uses physics-informed AI that incorporates established physics models to guarantee safe, accurate operation.
• The robots understand forces, materials, geometries, and tool behaviors without requiring manual programming.
• Systems account for real-world variability in materials, safety constraints when operating near humans, force feedback and tactile sensing, and continuous learning from physical tool-part interactions.
• Operators simply press a button — no coding expertise required.

Strategic partnerships: Leading companies in robotics and materials science support GrayMatter’s technology platform.
• FANUC, the world’s leading industrial robotics manufacturer, provides the robotic platforms that GrayMatter’s physical AI powers.
• 3M’s advanced abrasives technology integrates with the company’s intelligent systems.
• Pierce Manufacturing, part of Oshkosh Corporation, has integrated GrayMatter’s systems into production operations and is expanding the deployment.

Investor backing: Wellington Management, one of the world’s largest investment management firms, led GrayMatter Robotics’ $45 million Series B round in June 2024, validating the market opportunity.
• “High-mix manufacturing represents a significant portion of U.S. production, yet it’s been largely inaccessible to automation,” said Sean Petersen, sector lead for private climate investing at Wellington Management.
• “GrayMatter Robotics has cracked the code and is building the infrastructure for more advanced automated factories.”

Strategic location advantages: Carson provides multiple benefits for GrayMatter’s operations and customer base.
• Minutes from the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach for equipment shipment and maritime manufacturing customers.
• Near major aerospace manufacturers including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and SpaceX.
• Central location with easy freeway access and skilled manufacturing workforce.

What they’re saying: Company leaders emphasize the facility’s role in advancing American manufacturing and workforce development.
• “This facility represents more than just a headquarters — it is our commitment to bringing advanced manufacturing back to American soil,” said Ariyan Kabir, CEO and co-founder.
• “We’re not replacing workers — we’re elevating them,” Kabir noted regarding manufacturing careers and technology integration.
• “Five years ago, what we’re doing was considered impossible. Today, it’s transforming manufacturing. Five years from now, physical AI will be as fundamental to production as digital automation is today.”

What’s next: GrayMatter plans to expand physical AI applications beyond surface finishing, increase manufacturing capacity, and launch workforce development initiatives including student tours, technical workshops, and industry conferences.