Ariyan M. Kabir isn’t just building robots, he’s building the future of work. As the Co-Founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics, Kabir is pioneering the use of AI-powered robotic assistants to automate labor-intensive tasks in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. His goal? To reduce physical strain on workers, increase productivity, and accelerate industrial innovation.
Backed by elite venture firms and recognized alongside NVIDIA and Waymo as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025, Kabir is at the forefront of what he calls “Physical AI”, a new paradigm where intelligent machines enhance human potential rather than replace it.
From Dhaka to LA: Engineering a Smarter Factory Floor
Born and educated in Bangladesh, Kabir earned his BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from BUET before completing a PhD in Robotics and AI through programs at the University of Maryland and USC. Under the guidance of USC robotics luminary Prof. Satyandra Gupta, he laid the groundwork for systems that could perceive, adapt, and execute surface treatment tasks with near-human dexterity.
That foundational research became the springboard for GrayMatter Robotics, which Kabir co-founded around 2020 in Los Angeles. The company’s first product automates sanding, polishing, and spraying operations, freeing up human workers for higher-value tasks and reducing injury risk.
Scaling Smart Robotics With a Mission-Driven Vision
By 2024, Kabir’s company had closed a $45 million Series B, led by Wellington Management and supported by investors like NGP Capital, Euclidean Capital, Stage Venture Partners, and 3M Ventures. This infusion of capital is helping GrayMatter expand its deployment footprint across North America.
- Over 7.5 million square feet of surface area processed
- Customers span aerospace, automotive, and defense
- Systems designed for plug-and-play integration, requiring no programming knowledge
“By bringing Physical AI into real-world production, we are reducing health risks for workers, bolstering national security, and improving sustainability,” Kabir noted in a recent update.
Workplace Culture That Mirrors Innovation
Beyond the tech, Kabir is cultivating a strong team culture. Under his leadership, GrayMatter has been named a “Best Place to Work” by Built In for two consecutive years, a rare achievement in the fast-paced world of industrial startups.
He credits this to a people-first philosophy rooted in engineering discipline and a shared mission: build robots that work for people, not the other way around.
Thought Leader in AI and Automation
Kabir’s voice is increasingly influential in the robotics and manufacturing world. He has spoken at:
- Calibrate Ventures’ EON 2024 on embodied AI
- FABTECH Expo 2024, a major industrial trade show
- Defense Manufacturing Conference, highlighting national applications of robotic automation
His LinkedIn following (~12,000+) engages regularly with posts distilling lessons from 10,000+ hours of engineering, offering advice on quality, consistency, and the future of intelligent systems.
“Here are 5 things I’ve learned after 10K+ hours building industrial robotic systems…” reads one of his most shared posts.
