The next generation of robotics may be shaped not only by more powerful artificial intelligence, but by making robots easier for people to communicate with.
Research startup Enigma has emerged from stealth with $70 million in seed funding to develop AI-powered robots that interact with humans more naturally. The funding round was led by Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital, with participation from Conviction Partners, highlighting growing investor confidence in embodied AI.
Founded less than a year ago by Jonathan Jacobi and Gal Niv, Enigma is taking a different path from many robotics companies. While others focus primarily on building larger AI models trained on simulations or massive datasets, Enigma is exploring how humans naturally communicate with robots and using those interactions to shape the intelligence behind them.
A Different Vision for Embodied AI
Instead of asking users to learn complicated commands or workflows, Enigma wants robots to become intuitive assistants that understand human intent with minimal effort.
To support that vision, the company has launched a large-scale online experiment that allows people around the world to remotely control more than 100 AI-powered robots located in facilities across Israel and California.
The robots can complete a variety of activities, including drawing with paintbrushes, conducting simple chemistry experiments, and performing coordinated physical tasks. Every interaction provides valuable feedback that helps Enigma understand how people naturally expect robots to respond.
Building Better Interfaces for AI Robots
According to Enigma, the challenge is not only making robots more capable but also making them easier to use.
The company believes future robotic systems should require little to no technical expertise, allowing users to communicate through simple instructions, demonstrations, or other intuitive methods instead of complex programming.
This user-first philosophy could help create AI systems that better understand human intent while reducing the barriers to deploying robots across real-world environments.
Experienced Founders With Deep Technical Roots
Jonathan Jacobi and Gal Niv bring extensive technical experience to the company.
The pair first met through competitive hacking competitions before serving together in Israel’s elite Unit 8200, where they worked on advanced cybersecurity research. They later assembled a team that includes researchers from leading AI organizations, mathematics competition winners, and experienced engineers from Israel’s technology ecosystem.
Their goal is to build both the robotic hardware and the AI foundation models entirely in-house, giving the company greater control over the full technology stack.
Growing Interest in the Future of Robotics
Enigma enters a rapidly expanding market where AI companies are racing to develop robots capable of performing increasingly complex real-world tasks.
Unlike many competitors that emphasize model performance alone, Enigma is focusing on the relationship between humans and machines. The company believes better interaction design could become just as important as improvements in AI itself.
Enigma is already collaborating with organizations across healthcare, logistics, and entertainment as it continues refining its technology.
Looking Ahead
As enterprises explore broader adoption of robotics and embodied AI, success will likely depend on more than intelligent algorithms alone.
By combining advanced AI with intuitive human interaction, Enigma is positioning itself to help shape a future where working with robots becomes as natural as using everyday technology.
With significant funding, an experienced technical team, and an unconventional research strategy, the company is aiming to redefine how people and intelligent machines collaborate in the years ahead.