Connect with us

News

Robot data startup Mecka AI nabs $60M from Sequoia

info

Published

on

GettyImages 2082335389.jpg

Mecka AI, a startup that collects and analyzes human motion data to train humanoid robots and other kinds of robots, announced it has raised a $60 million Series B round led by Sequoia, with participation from Nvidia, Microsoft’s venture fund M12, and others. TechCrunch had previously reported that the startup was nearing a new funding round at a $500 million valuation.

Founded in 2024, the startup intends to do for robotics what Scale AI, Mercor, Surge, and other data-labeling companies have done for LLMs. Those companies supply the human-generated data these systems learn from. Mecka pays people to record themselves doing everyday tasks, like making coffee or fixing cars, while wearing body sensors and using smartphones.

Other startups that collect real-world data for robot training include XDOF, which was in talks to raise a Series B round at a $1.2 billion valuation according to TechCrunch’s previous reporting. Human-data platforms that began with LLMs are also expanding into robotics, such as Scale AI and Micro1.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

“Give Eguavoen Time” — Osahon Urges Patience as Super Falcons Begin Crucial LA 2028 Mission Against Comoros

info

Published

on

WhatsApp Image 2026 09 25 at 3.34.09 PM.jpeg

FC Robo Queens proprietor Emmanuel Osahon has called for patience with interim Super Falcons head coach Augustine Eguavoen, insisting the experienced tactician needs sufficient time to impose his ideas as Nigeria begins its qualification campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Eguavoen’s first competitive assignment with the women’s national team comes on Friday when the Super Falcons face Comoros in the first leg of their second-round Olympic qualifier at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.

Osahon, who previously backed the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to appoint Eguavoen, believes expectations must be balanced with the reality that the coach has only had a short period to work with his players.

He warned against judging the new technical arrangement solely on immediate performances, stressing that implementing a fresh philosophy and developing understanding within the squad requires time.

Eguavoen was appointed on an interim basis in September and is assisted by Christopher Danjuma, Ayisat Yusuf and Olatunji Baruwa.

His preparations have also been complicated by player availability. Twenty-one players were in camp by Tuesday, while Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre were among those unavailable for the tie.

Oluwatosin Demehin and Flourish Sabastine were also ruled out, while youngsters Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha were released to the Flamingos.

Despite those challenges, Nigeria will be expected to overcome Comoros, who reached the second round following an extraordinary 30-0 aggregate victory over Sudan. Both legs will be staged in Ikenne on October 9 and 13 because Comoros do not have a CAF-approved venue.

The Super Falcons face a lengthy road to Los Angeles, with Nigeria needing to negotiate four knockout rounds to secure one of Africa’s two Olympic tickets. Victory over Comoros would set up a third-round meeting with either Morocco or DR Congo.

For Osahon, therefore, the immediate objective is qualification, but the bigger picture is allowing Eguavoen to build.

His message ahead of Friday is simple: demand results from the Super Falcons, but give their new coach enough time to create the team capable of delivering them consistently.

Continue Reading

Business

NPF Pensions Rolls Out Support Programmes for Retired Police Officers

info

Published

on

NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Retirement should not mark the start of fresh hardship for police officers who devoted their working lives to safeguarding the public, yet questions about pension adequacy, gratuity payments and the general welfare of retirees continue to feature in conversations on police welfare.

With Police Pension Week underway, the Nigeria Police Force Pensions Board says it is working to strengthen its services and tackle some of the difficulties confronting both serving and retired officers.

The agency says that, in addition to routine pension payments, it runs a Retirement and Resettlement Support Programme designed to help retirees cope while their retirement benefits are being processed.

It also holds pre-retirement seminars that prepare officers for life after service, offering training in areas such as poultry farming and other small-scale ventures.

According to the agency, these efforts are intended to give retired personnel better financial footing and ease their transition from active duty to civilian life.

The post NPF Pensions Rolls Out Support Programmes for Retired Police Officers appeared first on Business Today NG.

Continue Reading

Trending