Konnex, a pioneer in the decentralization of autonomous labor using the blockchain, today announced it raised $15 million to accelerate the company’s mission to unlock what it calls “the physical work economy.”

The round featured prominent backers from venture firms including Cogitent Ventures, Liquid Capital, Leland Ventures, Covey, LD Capital, M77 Ventures and Block Maven LLC.

Numerous breakthroughs have happened in robotics, especially autonomous robots that can work and act on their own with minimal human intervention using artificial intelligence. However, Konnex argues that most robotics work is trapped in siloed infrastructures.

The company said it provides opportunities to “break barriers” by introducing a framework where autonomous robots function as applications: easily contracted, verified on the blockchain and paid instantly.

“Physical work is a $25 trillion economy currently trapped in closed systems,” said Chief Executive Jon Ollwerther. “With the support of our partners, Konnex is building the key to unlock that value. We are creating a world where autonomous robots work like apps — contracted, verified and paid — to provide the scalable labor the world desperately needs.”

The blockchain is a distributed ledger that allows transactions to be registered and verified in a manner where sensor evidence is turned into audit-grade receipts. Outcomes from robot activity become provable payments for AI work. The company explained in a white paper that blockchain transactions can then become a verified documentation of robotic activity that can be paid out as robotics-as-a-service.

Konnex proposes using enterprise-ready software called ReadyMonitor, which orchestrates beyond line-of-sight drone operations across networked drone fleets to provide cloud-based mission control and ultra-low latency collaboration and mission control. With this software, warehouse and factory teams will be able to handle entire networked dock fleets and maintain audited compliance using the blockchain logs.

AI-driven robotics is part of physical AI, a rapidly expanding industry of “smart machines” that connect AI models to the real world. It includes everything from autonomous pallet jacks that can load and unload cargo to humanoid robots capable of fine motor movements and tool manipulation. The transformation happening with physical extends beyond factory floors and warehouses to autonomous vehicles on city streets, across farmlands, and also into homes and kitchens.

The company said the new capital will be used to expand the platform, integrate with new hardware partners, and further develop the verification protocols that allow autonomous systems to operate safely and efficiently.

Image: Konnex