Forge Robotics
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
AI-powered robotics intelligence system for autonomous metal fabrication and welding Forge Robotics was founded in 2025. The company is led by Robert Cormican. Based in Galway, Ireland / San Francisco, California, USA. Team size: 2-10. Total funding raised: $700,000+. Latest round: Pre-Seed. Key investors include Y Combinator, Angel investors.
- Founded
- 2025
- Headquarters
- Galway, Ireland / San Francisco, California, USA
- Team size
- 2-10
- Total funding
- $700,000+
Value proposition
AI-powered robotic welding that eliminates months of expensive engineering hours, achieves 99% first-pass line yield, and enables autonomous metal fabrication without requiring skilled welders or manual robot programming
Products and solutions
AI-powered welding robotics system (vision system + AI feature detection for real-time 3D mapping and autonomous weld execution), Modular Autonomous Factories (shipping-container-sized modules for welding, laser engraving, sub-mm scanning), Welding Module, Welding Contracts, Laser Engraving, Sub-mm Scans
Unique value
Robot-mounted vision system and AI feature detection that creates sub-mm 3D maps and autonomously controls welding robot arms in real time, enabling factories to use robotic welding in previously infeasible situations with near-zero downtime
Target customer
High-mix, low-volume metal fabricators in aerospace, ag-tech, and structural steel; OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers; contract/job-shop fabricators; small-to-medium welding shops facing skilled welder shortages
Industries served
Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication, Aerospace, Agricultural Technology, Structural Steel, Defense, Automotive
Technology advantage
Robot-mounted vision system with sub-100 µm accuracy; real-time 3D mapping and AI feature detection; autonomous path planning and execution; modular containerized factory units that snap together; human-in-the-loop simulation for trust/transparency; Y Combinator backing
How they differentiate
Full-stack AI-native welding system (modular cobot-based cell with proprietary perception and motion intelligence) vs. traditional rigid industrial robots; sub-mm accuracy vision; 99% first-pass yield; install in days not months; no teach pendant or custom fixturing required; retrofittable onto dynamic shop floors
Main competitors
Path Robotics (autonomous welding cells with vision/AI), Hirebotics (UR-based cobot welding package), Lincoln Electric Automation (major welding OEM with robotic systems), SERVO-ROBOT (laser vision seam finding/tracking sensors), ABB Arc Welding (modular arc-welding cells)
Key partnerships
Y Combinator (Fall 2025 batch), PorterShed / AI Venture Forge Accelerator (Galway), NDRC Realisation Fund, Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC)
Major milestones
Founded 2025, Selected for AI Venture Forge Accelerator (May 2025), Accepted into Y Combinator Fall 2025 batch with $500K pre-seed funding (September 2025), Incorporated US entity, On track to launch first product (July 2026)
Market positioning
Early-stage AI robotics startup targeting the $7-10B robotic welding market, positioned as an AI-native alternative to traditional industrial robot programming, with Y Combinator backing providing credibility and network access
Geographic focus
United States (primary), Europe (secondary, originating from Ireland)
About Robert Cormican
Ex-Analog Devices (Silicon Development); Ex-Valeo (Self-driving car technology, R&D in image quality for cameras); Published researcher in AI and image quality in IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology; Background in Mechatronics, Image Quality, Computer Vision, and Semiconductor Manufacturing
Latest news about Forge Robotics
More Robotics / Embodied AI companies
Official website: https://forge-robotics.com
