Humanoids aren't quite ready to replace factory workers, but the industry can’t wait. Faced with labour shortages, manufacturers have shown growing interest in startups that promise faster automation without the usual trade-offs.

Theker, an AI robotics startup, aims to go beyond robots trained for a single task. Unlike humanoid robots designed around a fixed form, Theker's machines are built to be reconfigured. Their hands, arms, and overall form can be swapped out or resized depending on the task, whether that’s sorting packages, packing clothing, or handling bottles and cans in a warehouse.

The company’s broader goal is to move beyond retail into heavier industrial settings like manufacturing, where the complexity and scale of manual tasks are even greater. This generalist ambition has helped cement Theker's status as one of Europe's hot startups to watch – and raise capital accordingly. The Barcelona-based startup has just raised $85 million in what it’s calling “Europe’s largest ever robotics Series A.”

Less than a year after a record seed round, this Series A was led by American VC firm CRV and backed by a mix of traditional and strategic investors, including Samsung and Aglaé Ventures, the investment vehicle tied to LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault.

Gómez Cano said Samsung is not yet a client but that they are in advanced discussions. Theker would welcome having the Korean company as a customer, supplier, and investor simultaneously – a trifecta that would give the startup both revenue and credibility in manufacturing at scale.