Foundation's Ambitious Robotics Manufacturing Scale-Up in San Francisco

Introduction

In a groundbreaking step for the robotics industry, Foundation has officially begun constructing its first production manufacturing cell in downtown San Francisco. Announced by Sankaet on X (formerly Twitter) on September 15, 2025, this initiative signals the company's determination to produce hundreds of robots in 2025, with ambitions to scale up to over 10,000 robots in 2026. This move reflects a strategic blend of innovative manufacturing and practical scalability, poised to influence the future of robotics.

We’ve kicked off the build of our first production manufacturing cell in downtown San Francisco, capable of producing hundreds of robots per year. Next year, our goal will be to scale these cells in a larger factory to produce 10,000+ robots in 2026. pic.twitter.com/2TQl3zKWjy

— Sankaet (@sankaet) September 15, 2025

The Tweet and Video Insights

Sankaet’s tweet revealed:

"We’ve kicked off the build of our first production manufacturing cell in downtown San Francisco, capable of producing hundreds of robots per year. Next year, our goal will be to scale these cells in a larger factory to produce 10,000+ robots in 2026."

The attached video features Choon Park, Foundation’s Manufacturing Leader, detailing the company’s approach. Key highlights include:

• A sleek black robotic head introduction setting the innovation tone.
• Explanation of cell-based manufacturing, a flexible alternative to traditional sequential assembly lines.
• Emphasis on scalability, allowing individual workstations to adapt quickly to design changes.

5 Key Takeaways from Foundation’s Approach

1. Clear Manufacturing Targets: Foundation aims to ship hundreds of robots this year and thousands next, requiring a robust, scalable production framework.
2. Cell-Based Production: Each workstation assembles, tests, and debugs entire robot components independently, contrasting traditional line-based assembly.
3. Flexibility and Rapid Adaptation: The modular cell approach allows for quick pivots in response to new requirements without halting overall production.
4. Expert Leadership: Choon Park brings 27 years of experience from Tesla and Lucid, ensuring the company can scale advanced manufacturing efficiently.
5. Quality and Efficiency: Vertical integration of critical components reduces reliance on external suppliers, controls costs, and enhances product quality.

Strategic Implications for Robotics

The San Francisco location provides proximity to R&D teams, enabling real-time feedback and faster iteration cycles. Foundation’s scalable cell-based model could set a new standard in robotics manufacturing, bridging the gap between small-batch innovation and mass production efficiency.

FAQs

Q1: What is cell-based manufacturing?
A: It’s a system where each workstation handles complete assembly, testing, and quality checks independently, offering flexibility and faster adaptation to design changes.

Q2: How many robots will Foundation produce in 2026?
A: Foundation aims to scale up production to 10,000+ robots in 2026.

Q3: Why San Francisco?
A: Proximity to R&D teams allows designers and engineers to collaborate closely, ensuring faster iteration and design optimization.

Q4: Who is leading this initiative?
A: Choon Park, a manufacturing expert with 27 years of experience at Tesla and Lucid, is overseeing production scaling.

Conclusion

Foundation’s ambitious move represents more than just robot production; it’s a reimagining of manufacturing itself. By integrating a cell-based approach with vertical production, the company ensures flexibility, high-quality output, and efficiency. As 2026 approaches, the robotics industry will be closely observing whether Foundation’s model can sustainably deliver thousands of robots without compromising innovation or quality. This initiative not only showcases technological prowess but also emphasizes strategic planning and execution, setting a benchmark for future automation enterprises.