Three-dimensional robotics maker Mytra has launched with USD78 million in funding.

Founded by ex-Tesla and Rivian robotics and manufacturing leaders, the company has promised to revolutionise warehouse operations.

"Material flow makes up the lion's share of the work in a warehouse but is still largely done the same way it was a century ago. This is because the alternatives are too complex, have too many parts and are customised for specific applications," says Chris Walti, Mytra co-founder and chief executive officer. 

"We're taking a radically different approach by reducing the number of parts and moving the focus from hardware to software. 

“We are the first and only solution that can universally automate many of the most labour-intensive, costly and complex aspects of material flow, which are the red blood cells of any industrial operation.” 

Mytra says its systems are infinitely customisable, shapeable, scalable and high-density, allowing them to automate complex pallet and case handling without the complexity of forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, elevators and other automation. 

This radical simplicity is enabled by three key breakthroughs: a simplified offering; three-dimensional movement; and software to optimise bot routes, manage inventory and adjust to changing needs.

Mytra's system is already deployed in production at some of food and drug retailer Albertsons Companies' distribution centres, where it buffers and sequences inventory prior to shipping to stores. 

Across its customer base, Mytra estimates that warehouses save up to 88% of labour hours and experience double the internal rate of return compared with current best-in-class technologies on the market.

Walti, who, prior to Mytra, led the Optimus Humanoid Bot team along with robotics and warehouse logistics at Tesla, founded Mytra alongside Ahmad Baitalmal, who led factory software at Tesla and Rivian. 

Mytra is backed by several investors, including Greenoaks, who led the company's Series B, Eclipse, who led the previous seed and Series A rounds, in addition to co-founder and chairman of Okta Frederic Kerrest's 515 Ventures and individual investors Garry Tan, Lachy Groom.