Sarcos Robotics

Explainers

Plain-language answers to the questions people ask about Sarcos Robotics, from DEPLOY’s explainer library. Each is written in the language of the question and cross-checked against this registry.

• What is an exoskeleton robot and how does it work?

  An exoskeleton is a powered wearable robotic device worn by a human that assists or amplifies the wearer's movement. Exoskeletons are not autonomous robots: the wearer's intent drives every action. The category divides between medical exoskeletons (FDA-cleared for rehabilitation and personal mobility) and industrial exoskeletons (worn by workers to reduce fatigue and injury risk).

• What is Sarcos Guardian XO and how does it work?

  Sarcos Robotics makes the Guardian XO, a full-body industrial powered exoskeleton that amplifies the wearer's lifting and carrying capability. Guardian XO is designed for heavy industrial work requiring prolonged lifting of significant weight. Sarcos Robotics was founded in 1990 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Current leadership (2)

• Ben Wolff CEO & ChairmanSEC-verified
• Denis Garagić CTOSEC-verified

Founders (3)

• Stephen Jacobsensoleno longer at company
• Ben Wolffcofounder
• Fraser Smithcofounderno longer at company

See all founders across the registry →

Former / Previously (4)

• Stephen Jacobsen FounderSEC-verified
• Laura Peterson CEO (May 2023–Jan 2024)SEC-verified
• Fraser Smith President & Co-founderSEC-verified
• Kiva Allgood CEO (Dec 2021–May 2023)SEC-verified

Safety record

No incidents on record for Sarcos Robotics.

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Peer companies

• Fourier Intelligence4 models
• Honda3 models
• Ekso Bionics2 models
• German Bionic2 models
• Lifeward2 models
• ATOUN1 model

Financial state

Reporting basis

sec_10k

Lifecycle stage

growth

Counterparty risk class

elevated

Each numeric field carries its own basis marker. Aggregators report a number; this surface preserves the source class so verification depth travels with the value.

Funding rounds (3)

• IPO2021-09-15

  Investors: Rotor Acquisition Corp. (lead), BlackRock

• Series C2020-08-25

  $40M

  Investors: Rotor Capital (lead)

• Series B2018-09-05

  $30M

  Investors: Cottonwood Technology Fund (lead), DIG Investment (co_lead)

See the full valuations ranking →

Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

• Record createdJun 8, 2026

  Added to the verified registry

Full change history →

Sources (1)

1. https://www.sarcos.com/ ↗

Common questions

What is Sarcos Robotics?

Sarcos Robotics (now Palladyne AI, NASDAQ: PDYN) developed the Guardian XO full-body powered exoskeleton and Guardian line of teleoperated robots for industrial, defense, and logistics applications. Founded in 1983 by University of Utah professor Stephen Jacobsen, the company went public via SPAC merger with Rotor Acquisition Corp. in September 2021 (Nasdaq: STRC). After shipping only two Guardian units by late 2023, Sarcos pivoted from hardware to AI software, rebranding as Palladyne AI in March 2024. The company now sells Palladyne IQ (industrial robot autonomy software), Palladyne Pilot (UAV flight AI), and SwarmOS, with a Palladyne Defense division established in 2025.

What does Sarcos Robotics make?

Sarcos Robotics has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: Guardian XO (Sarcos Robotics builds physical robots).

Is Sarcos Robotics publicly traded?

Sarcos Robotics is not yet publicly traded but is in the process of going public, per the DEPLOY registry.

Who competes with Sarcos Robotics?

On the DEPLOY registry, peer companies to Sarcos Robotics building in the same form factors include Fourier Intelligence, Honda, Ekso Bionics, German Bionic.

Who is the CEO of Sarcos Robotics?

Ben Wolff is the ceo of Sarcos Robotics, per the DEPLOY registry.