Luffy secures £8.1M to scale real-time adaptive control technology

Luffy AI, a UK-based startup developing AI for real-time adaptive control in industrial systems, has raised £8.1 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by BGF, with participation from MIG Capital AG through its MIG Fonds.

Existing investors Bow Capital, Chrysalix, Momenta and UKI2S also joined the round. Luffy AI has developed a neuroplastic AI platform designed for industrial applications where conventional AI models are limited by high data, computing and connectivity requirements. The company's sparse neural networks are trained in simulation and refined during real-world operation, enabling real-time adaptive control without relying on large datasets or continuous cloud-based retraining.

The technology is initially being deployed in industrial motor control, one of the company's first commercial applications. Luffy AI is working with variable frequency drive (VFD) systems, including pumps, fans and conveyor systems. By enabling motors to automatically adapt to changing operating conditions, the technology is intended to improve energy efficiency, reduce commissioning time and optimise overall performance.

Over the longer term, the company plans to expand into additional applications, including robotics, drones, thermal process control and other physical AI systems. Factories, motors and physical systems need AI that is small, fast and adaptive in real time, not cloud-dependent, or with huge data and compute requirements. At Luffy we've already proven what's possible with AI motor control and will use this new funding to scale up our delivery and rollout, said Dr Matthew Carr, co-founder and CEO of Luffy AI.

The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the company's commercialisation efforts by converting proof-of-concept projects and pilot deployments into long-term partnerships with industrial customers while supporting the broader rollout of its AI technology.