Trener Robotics
Category: Robotics / Embodied AI
A robot-agnostic Physical AI platform, centered on its 'Acteris' intelligence layer, that enables industrial robots to learn and execute complex manufacturing tasks through natural language and pre-trained skills. Trener Robotics was founded in 2024. The company is led by Asad Tirmizi. Based in San Jose, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $38.0M. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Engine Ventures, IAG Capital Partners, Emergent Ventures, Cadence, Geodesic Capital, Nikon NFocus Fund, Shanda Group, Fitz Gate Ventures, Techable VC, Raisewell Ventures, Radius Capital Ventures.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- San Jose, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $38.0M
Value proposition
Eliminates the high cost and technical debt of rigid, procedural robot programming by providing a foundational AI layer that allows robots to adapt to new tasks in minutes rather than weeks.
Products and solutions
Acteris (Foundational Intelligence Layer), Natural Language Tasking Interface, Pre-trained Industrial Skill Library (e.g., CNC tending, part handling), Robot-Agnostic Control Framework (Cross-hardware compatibility)
Unique value
Unlike traditional robotics software tied to specific hardware, Trener's 'Physical AI' is hardware-agnostic and allows operators to 'talk' to robots to assign tasks, making automation accessible to non-programmers.
Target customer
Industrial manufacturers, CNC machine shop operators, robotics system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Industries served
Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Automotive, Aerospace, Logistics
Technology advantage
Combines large-scale reinforcement learning with a software-defined robotics architecture, allowing the same AI 'brain' to control diverse robotic arms across different brands and factory setups.
How they differentiate
Trener differentiates through its 'Acteris' platform, which focuses specifically on 'Physical AI' for high-precision industrial manufacturing (like CNC tending). Unlike general-purpose models, it uses a natural language interface that allows non-technical shop floor operators to task robots in minutes, combined with a hardware-agnostic architecture that works across different robot brands.
Main competitors
Physical Intelligence (Pi), Intrinsic (an Alphabet company), Covariant, Viam
Key partnerships
Nikon (via Nikon NFocus Fund), Cadence Design Systems, ABB (ABB AI Startup Challenge winner / robot OEM), Universal Robots, FANUC, RARUK Automation (exclusive UK distributor), AMD (founding AI Models and Software partner, Open Robotics Ecosystem, Aug 2026), Arm Total Design for Physical AI (Sept 2026), NTNU research collaboration, Engine Ventures
Notable customers
ABB (Strategic Partner), Nikon (Strategic Partner/Investor), Various CNC Machine Shop Operators
Major milestones
Winner of the ABB AI Startup Challenge (late 2024), Winner of CECIMO Machine Tools Innovation (MTI) Award at EMO Hannover 2025, Rebranded from T-Robotics to Trener Robotics in February 2026, Commercial launch of the Acteris Physical AI platform, Raised $32M Series A (announced February 2026), Won Industry Startup Forum Award at Advanced Factories 2026 (May 2026), Joined AMD Open Robotics Ecosystem as founding AI Models and Software partner (Aug 2026), Joined Arm Total Design for Physical AI (Sept 2026)
Growth metrics
Announced $32M Series A and rebrand from T-Robotics to Trener Robotics in February 2026 (round closed Sept 2025 per CEO); dual HQ San Jose, CA and Trondheim, Norway; ~33–47 employees.
Market positioning
Foundational AI layer for industrial automation and software-defined robotics.
Geographic focus
North America (San Jose, CA US headquarters) and Europe (Trondheim, Norway EU headquarters / R&D hub).
Patents and IP
Proprietary AI control algorithms and haptic feedback systems; specific public patent filings are currently held as trade secrets or are in the 'pending' stage following their emergence from stealth.
About Asad Tirmizi
Dr. Asad Tirmizi is a renowned roboticist with over 12 years of experience in industrial automation and haptics. Prior to founding Trener, he was a Senior Robotics Researcher at ByteDance (TikTok) and a Robotics Researcher at Vicarious AI (acquired by Google Intrinsic). He also conducted industrial research at Flanders Make. He holds a PhD in Robotics and Haptics from the Università di Siena, where he received the SIDRA award for the best doctoral dissertation in Italy.
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Official website: https://trener.ai/
