Sebastian Thrun, co-founder of Google Brain and architect of Google's self-driving car project that became Waymo, has launched Dulo, a startup focused on using artificial intelligence to design complex hardware.
The venture has raised $130 million, according to Thrun's announcement. Dulo's mission is to build AI models that can automate engineering and design processes for products like aircraft, automobiles, and other intricate machinery—effectively embedding AI into the product development cycle.
Thrun's credibility in the space rests on two decades of AI research. At Google Brain, he was instrumental in advancing deep learning. His autonomous vehicle work laid groundwork that Waymo has commercialized into a robotaxi service operating in multiple U.S. cities.
The funding round reflects investor appetite for AI applied to physical design and manufacturing. Venture backers see potential for machine learning to compress development cycles and reduce costs in industries where design iteration has historically been time-intensive and expensive.
