SoftBank is in negotiations to invest $500 million in Skild AI, a two-year-old software company building a foundational model for robotics, at a valuation of $4 billion, according to reports from Bloomberg and Financial Times. This significant investment would mark a substantial increase from Skild's previous funding round of $300 million at a $1.5 billion valuation last July.

Skild's AI model is designed to be applicable to various types of robots, allowing for modification to specific domains and use cases. This generalized approach has garnered significant attention from investors, including Jeff Bezos, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Coatue Management, who participated in the company's previous funding round.

The intersection of robotics and AI has witnessed substantial investor interest over the past year. Bezos, in particular, has increased his funding to AI-powered robotics companies, demonstrating his confidence in the potential of this emerging technology.

Skild is not the only company in this space to attract significant investment. Physical Intelligence, a startup claiming to be developing "brains" for a broad range of robots, raised $400 million at a $2 billion pre-money valuation in November. The round was led by Bezos, Lux Capital, and Thrive Capital. Similarly, Figure AI, a startup building an AI-powered humanoid robot, raised $675 million at a $2.6 billion valuation from Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, Nvidia, Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, and Bezos (through Bezos Expeditions) last February.

The growing investment in AI-powered robotics startups highlights the potential for these technologies to transform industries and revolutionize the way we live and work. As the robotics and AI sectors continue to converge, it will be interesting to see how companies like Skild and Physical Intelligence shape the future of this emerging technology.

The deal, if finalized, would be a significant win for Skild, providing the company with the necessary capital to further develop its AI model and expand its reach. It would also solidify SoftBank's position as a key player in the AI and robotics investment landscape.

As the AI-powered robotics space continues to evolve, it will be essential to monitor the progress of companies like Skild and Physical Intelligence, as well as the investments being made by key players like Bezos and SoftBank. With the potential to transform industries and revolutionize the way we live and work, the intersection of robotics and AI is an area to watch in the coming years.