Eka Robotics reportedly closes $150 million round at $1.45 billion valuation

TechCrunch reports Eka Robotics closed a $150 million Series A at a $1.45 billion post-money valuation, led by a16z and F-Prime. Its robot uses force feedback and simulation training; Eka claims it reliably picks up objects more than 95% of the time. Investor a16z places the reported rate of up to 1,500 picks per hour in laboratory tasks. TechCrunch describes industrial pilots, while sustaining that pace through production shifts remains the next test.