Slip Robotics Revolutionizes Freight Loading with SlipBots, Secures $28M in Series B Funding

Slip Robotics, an Atlanta-based startup, is transforming the freight logistics industry with its innovative SlipBots—large robotic platforms capable of reducing truck trailer loading times from up to an hour to just five minutes. The SlipBots, designed to carry up to 12,000 pounds and navigate uneven ground, seamlessly transport goods from warehouse floors directly into trailers.

Founded in 2020 by Chris Smith, Dennis Siedlak, and John Jakomin, Slip Robotics has launched a robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model that provides companies with a subscription covering software updates, maintenance, and hardware repairs.

How SlipBots Work

• Each SlipBot can hold 10 palettes and operate autonomously in warehouses ranging from 20,000 square feet to 2 million square feet.
• Three SlipBots—carrying a combined 36,000 pounds of payload—fit into a single truck trailer. At the destination, the SlipBots autonomously disembark and unload the freight.
• Customers typically operate in a "three, three, three" setup: three bots on the dock, three in transit, and three waiting at the destination.

Adoption and Scaling

After years of development, Slip Robotics launched commercially in 2023. Its SlipBots are now deployed across more than 25 facilities, serving major clients like John Deere, GE Appliances, Valeo, and Nissan.

The company has grown from fewer than 12 employees to a team of 50 and boasts 10 commercial customers with hundreds of bots in operation. The startup credits its measured scaling approach for its success, focusing on product reliability over hype.

Series B Funding

Slip Robotics recently closed a $28 million Series B funding round, led by DCVC with participation from existing investors like Tech Square Ventures and Hyde Park Venture Partners. This brings the company’s total funding to $45 million. The new capital will be used to:

• Expand deployments.
• Hire additional employees.
• Enhance the SlipBot product line.

A Pragmatic Approach to Robotics

Unlike many robotics companies that struggle with over-promising and under-delivering, Slip Robotics has prioritized real-world functionality and customer results. Jordan Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the importance of scaling only after ensuring product readiness:

“If you have more engineers in your office than revenue-generating vehicles in the real world, you don’t have a real business.”

This pragmatic approach positions Slip Robotics as a leader in the rapidly growing robotics industry, offering a tangible, scalable solution for freight logistics.