Ex-Tesla Optimus Scientist Launches UMA to Build Europe’s Humanoid Robot
Rémi Cadene, former Tesla scientist who contributed to the development of the Optimus robot’s intelligence, has launched a new startup called UMA with the aim of creating a humanoid robot for Europe.
Background
Cadene, along with his team, is building Northstar, an AI-powered humanoid robot designed for manufacturing plants, logistics warehouses, and potentially homes. This venture comes after Tesla’s recent focus on robotics and Cadene’s own experience in developing the Autopilot AI system and neural networks for Optimus.
UMA’s Founding Team and Investors
Cadene’s team boasts impressive credentials, including Pierre Sermanet (veteran of Google DeepMind and NYU), Simon Alibert (co-founder of LeRobot), and Robert Knight (designer of widely used open-source SO-100 arm). UMA secured funding from prominent investors like Greycroft, Red River West, Kima Ventures, and Factorial. Notable advisors include Yann LeCun (Meta’s chief AI scientist and Turing Award winner) and Thomas Wolf (co-founder of Hugging Face).
Northstar Robot
UMA plans to release two models: a mobile industrial robot with dual arms for warehouses and assembly lines; and a more compact humanoid designed for human-centric environments like hospitals, labs, and homes. The company promises pilot programs in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare during 2026, demonstrating the robot’s capabilities in real-world scenarios.
European Focus
Cadene’s focus on Europe aligns with the continent’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in humanoid robotics and compete against American and Chinese rivals, while addressing labor shortages in industries like manufacturing and healthcare.