Gather AI’s Curious Cameras Are Transforming Warehouses—And Just Raised $40M to Scale

In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence, where most headlines revolve around chatbots and large language models, one Pittsburgh-based startup is quietly revolutionizing the logistics industry with a different kind of intelligence—one that sees, learns, and acts in the physical world.

Gather AI, a company that deploys AI-powered cameras and drones to monitor warehouse operations, has just secured a $40 million Series B funding round led by Smith Point Capital, the venture firm founded by former Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block. The investment marks a major vote of confidence in a company that’s blending classical robotics with modern AI to solve one of the oldest problems in supply chain management: visibility.

But this isn’t just another AI surveillance story. Gather AI’s technology is built on a foundation of curiosity—literally.

From FBI Training Grounds to Warehouse Floors

The origins of Gather AI trace back to Carnegie Mellon University, where co-founders Sankalp Arora, Daniel Maturana, and Geetesh Dubey were PhD students working on autonomous flight systems. Their most notable project? Building one of the first autonomous helicopters and testing it on the FBI training grounds in Quantico, Virginia. That work, focused on enabling machines to navigate complex, dynamic environments safely, would become the intellectual backbone of Gather AI.

In 2017, the team pivoted from military-grade robotics to industrial logistics, applying their expertise in autonomous navigation and decision-making to the chaotic, fast-moving world of warehouses.

The Curious AI That Sees Everything

At first glance, Gather AI’s setup sounds straightforward: off-the-shelf cameras mounted on forklifts and drones flying through warehouse aisles capture video of operations in real time. But the magic lies in how the system interprets what it sees.

Rather than passively recording footage, Gather AI’s platform is designed to be “curious.” As Arora explains, this curiosity is rooted in his PhD research on how flying robots can actively seek out information in uncertain environments. In a warehouse, that means the AI doesn’t just scan randomly—it looks for barcodes, lot codes, text labels, expiration dates, case counts, damages, and occupancy levels. It’s constantly learning, predicting, and flagging anomalies like misplaced inventory, low stock, or unsafe workflows.

This is not the AI you find in chatbots. Gather AI’s system relies on classical Bayesian techniques combined with neural networks—probabilistic models that use prior knowledge and real-time data to make decisions. Unlike large language models, which can hallucinate or fabricate information, Gather AI’s system is grounded in observable reality. It doesn’t guess; it observes, analyzes, and acts.

AI That Thrives Where Humans Can’t

One of the most compelling aspects of Gather AI’s technology is its ability to operate in environments that are hazardous or uncomfortable for human workers. Freezers, cold storage units, and high-traffic zones are no problem for Gather’s drones and cameras. This not only improves safety but also ensures continuous monitoring without fatigue or error.

The implications are significant. Warehouses are notoriously difficult to manage—inventory can be misplaced, workflows can break down, and human error is inevitable. Gather AI’s system acts as a 24/7 digital inspector, catching issues before they escalate into costly disruptions.

Embodied AI: The Next Frontier

While most AI headlines focus on text and image generation, Gather AI is part of a growing movement toward embodied AI—robots and systems that interact with the physical world rather than just digital interfaces. This shift represents a fundamental evolution in how AI can be applied, moving from virtual assistants to physical problem-solvers.

In December 2024, Gather AI was recognized as a leader in this space, winning the 2025 Nebius Robotics Award for Vision AI and Streaming Video Analytics. Nebius, a Netherlands-based AI infrastructure company, praised Gather for its innovative approach to real-world AI applications.

Real-World Impact and Rapid Growth

Gather AI’s technology is already in use at major companies including Kwik Trip, Axon, GEODIS, and NFI Industries. These partnerships validate the platform’s ability to deliver tangible ROI—reducing inventory errors, improving safety, and optimizing workflows.

The company, which now employs around 60 people, has raised $74 million to date, with backing from Bain Capital Ventures, XRC Ventures, and Hillman Investments. The latest funding will fuel expansion, product development, and deeper integration with warehouse management systems.

Why This Matters

In an era where AI is often criticized for being abstract or disconnected from real-world problems, Gather AI offers a refreshing counterpoint. Its technology is tangible, practical, and immediately impactful. It’s not about replacing humans—it’s about augmenting them with tools that see what they can’t, remember what they forget, and act before small issues become big ones.

As supply chains face increasing pressure from globalization, labor shortages, and consumer demand for speed, the need for intelligent, autonomous systems will only grow. Gather AI is positioning itself at the forefront of that shift—not with flashy demos or viral tweets, but with quiet, relentless efficiency.

And in a world that’s finally waking up to the potential of embodied AI, that might be the most disruptive thing of all.

Tags:
AI-powered warehouse monitoring, autonomous drones, embodied AI, warehouse management, logistics innovation, computer vision, Bayesian AI, supply chain optimization, robotics, real-time inventory tracking, cold storage automation, curiosity-driven AI, industrial IoT, Gather AI funding, Smith Point Capital, Keith Block, Carnegie Mellon robotics, AI in logistics, warehouse safety, inventory accuracy

Viral Sentences:

• “Gather AI’s drones don’t just fly—they learn.”
• “This AI is curious. And that’s why it works.”
• “From FBI training grounds to your local warehouse—this tech is everywhere.”
• “No hallucinations. Just results.”
• “The future of AI isn’t in the cloud. It’s in the aisles.”
• “They raised $40M because they solved a problem no one else could see.”
• “This is AI that does, not just talks.”
• “The robots are here—and they’re auditing your inventory.”
• “Curious AI is the new competitive edge in logistics.”
• “Gather AI: Where robotics meets reality.”

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