Technology Snapshot
A concise view of platform maturity and deployment footprint.
Flagship PlatformAlex
Boardwalk Robotics
PrivateFounded in 2017 in Pensacola, Florida, as a commercial partner of IHMC, building the upper torso humanoid Alex with 19 degrees of freedom. Designed without legs for near term practicality and faster arm speeds. Acquired by Foundation Robotics Labs in December 2024.
Founded 2017Undisclosed raised
Humanoid Robots
1 Humanoid RobotIntroduction
Boardwalk Robotics was a Pensacola, Florida-based humanoid robotics company spun off from IHMC, specializing in advanced legged robotic systems. Founded in 2017 by Jerry Pratt, the company co-built IHMC's Nadia research humanoid and developed Alex, a commercial humanoid upper torso. Boardwalk was acquired by Foundation Robotics Labs in December 2024.
Technology
Platform maturity, autonomy stack, and flagship-system specifications in one view.
December 2024Acquisition AnnouncedCorporate
Foundation acquires Boardwalk and absorbs the platformIn December 2024, Boardwalk was acquired by Foundation Robotics Labs. The robot was renamed Phantom, and Foundation began piloting the platform in industrial use cases.
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Valuation History
Follow Boardwalk Robotics's valuation growth through its funding rounds.
Management Team
Company Story
Boardwalk Robotics was a Pensacola, Florida-based humanoid robotics company spun off from IHMC, specializing in advanced legged robotic systems. Founded in 2017 by Jerry Pratt, the company co-built IHMC's Nadia research humanoid and developed Alex, a commercial humanoid upper torso. Boardwalk was acquired by Foundation Robotics Labs in December 2024.
- September 7, 2017
Boardwalk Robotics is founded out of IHMC expertise
Boardwalk Robotics was founded in 2017 by Jerry Pratt, a veteran researcher at IHMC. The institute is legendary in bipedal robotics, its team took second place at the DARPA Robotics Challenge using a Boston Dynamics Atlas.
IHMCPensacola - 2018 - 2023
Nadia and related research systems define the technical roots
Boardwalk's most visible collaboration was co-designing Nadia, IHMC's advanced research humanoid named after Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci. The company's expertise spans mechanical design, software and control, and robot testing.
NadiaResearch humanoids - August 22, 2024
Alex becomes the near-term workforce platform
Boardwalk entered the commercial market with Alex, a workforce humanoid upper torso for manufacturing, logistics, and maintenance. Alex focused on advanced manipulation from a stable base rather than bipedal locomotion.
AlexUpper torso humanoid - December 2024
Foundation acquires Boardwalk and absorbs the platform
In December 2024, Boardwalk was acquired by Foundation Robotics Labs. The robot was renamed Phantom, and Foundation began piloting the platform in industrial use cases.
AcquisitionPhantom