Cutting-edge automation technologies that make the recycling of lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries safe, effective and scalable.
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Innovation Toward Circularity
At Rose City Robotics our goal is to increase lithium-ion battery recovery rates from 5% to over 90%. To achieve this we are committed to closing the loop on the lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries, increasing recovery values, enabling second-life applications and ensuring that critical metals are not wasted but instead recovered as strategic domestic resources to power the next generation of clean energy and electrification solutions.
Leveraging machine learning and transformer neural networks, we collect and utilize sensor and vision data to enhance robot hardware with adaptive and predictive motion planning capabilities. Our software can then use this data to train custom robots to perform these dangerous and challenging tasks with adaptive intelligence with continuous learning capabilities.
We are passionate about using robotics and artificial intelligence for the good of humanity to make a positive impact on climate.
We believe in doing what’s right for the planet, the people and the future. Our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices drives every decision we make.
We push the boundaries of technology to develop advanced AI robotics and automation systems that transform the recycling process, enabling both scale and safety.
Our work directly contributes to climate action. We are proud to be part of the creative community working together on American-made solutions to our greatest challenge.
We are a dynamic team who love robotics, AI and startups and are dedicated to delivering the best results for our clients and for the planet.
Founder / CEO
Joe has 24 years experience developing vision and machine learning algorithms across a variety of industries, including defense, oil & gas, semiconductors, and medical devices. He has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Rice University, and served as an officer in the US Army Reserve for 22 years.
Co-founder / CFO
Duncan has 20 years of experience in climate startups with roles in finance, operations and software engineering. He has expertise in automation software, test-driven AI development and climate technologies. Duncan earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College and had his first successful startup exit in 2023.
Our Services
In addition to tackling EV Battery recycling, we are also a general robotics systems integrator and develop custom solutions to solve complex automation challenges. We have an excellent network of local engineers across a variety of disciplines so we can flex to handle any automation task. We prioritize projects with climate and social impact but are open to all projects as time allows. The bigger the challenge to solve, the more interested we are.
Rose City Robotics was born out of a passionate belief that technology can be harnessed for the greater good. Founded in the heart of Portland, Oregon—familiarly known as the Rose City—we embarked on a mission to revolutionize the way we handle electronic waste, with a particular focus on lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Recognizing the pressing need to address the challenges of recycling lithium-ion batteries, our founders saw an opportunity for technology to make a significant impact.
Founded company
Our founder Joseph Cole officially creates the company as an Oregon corporation.
Co-founder joined
Duncan Miller joins the company as Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer, with Joseph Cole as CEO.
Secured pre-seed funding
Agreement reached for pre-seed funding for early prototype development.
Released prototype
Team begins disassembly of batteries and releases a teleoperation prototype to collect training data for machine learning.
