Sam Altman-backed Coco Robotics raises $80M, rides Israeli tech into global delivery market
With support from DriveU.auto, Coco’s AI-powered robots are scaling from LA to Helsinki.
Coco Robotics, a startup specializing in robotic delivery, has raised $80 million in a new funding round led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his brother Max Altman, alongside several venture capital funds. The company’s total funding now exceeds $120 million, with Sam Altman also having led its previous investment round.
Founded in 2020, Coco is considered one of the leading startups in urban robotic delivery. It focuses on remotely operated sidewalk robots that transport food and retail products from partner restaurants and stores directly to customers. These robots are piloted by remote human drivers, enabling relatively safe and controlled navigation in complex urban environments.
There’s also an Israeli connection: Coco is collaborating with DriveU.auto, an Israeli technology company that provides remote connectivity software. DriveU.auto’s platform is embedded in Coco’s fleet to ensure low-latency, high-reliability communication between operators and robots. The partnership was signed in 2022.
Coco Robotics currently operates in several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and New York, and recently launched operations in Helsinki, Finland. In March 2025, Coco announced a partnership with OpenAI, leveraging the AI company’s technology to help its robots navigate obstacles and make real-time decisions.
