California and Norway-based Trener Robotics has secured $32 million in Series A funding to scale its Acteris platform, which replaces conventional line-by-line robot programming with pre-trained artificial intelligence capabilities. The round, co-led by Engine Ventures and IAG Capital Partners with participation from Cadence and Geodesic Capital through Nikon’s NFocus Fund, brings total funding to over $38 million.
Acteris features an agentic user interface supporting robot control through natural conversation, intuitive task sequences, and high-fidelity simulation. The system handles part identification and object manipulation even under adverse conditions, optimizing robot motions dynamically as situations change. Intelligent collision avoidance and safety features mimic human-like judgment while real-time dashboards track production performance.
The platform layers software-defined intelligence onto existing industrial robots from manufacturers including ABB, Universal Robots, and FANUC. Operators provide simple written instructions that Acteris translates into executable automation, eliminating conventional programming barriers. This approach democratizes robot deployment, allowing personnel without deep robotics expertise to configure sophisticated automation.
The platform’s first application focuses on robotic CNC machine tending, with expansion into additional high-demand industrial processes planned throughout 2026. By standardizing robot logic and application frameworks, Acteris reduces programming time, accelerates deployment cycles, and transforms custom one-off projects into repeatable solutions.
