The move comes as major semiconductor producers such as Micron and Samsung continue to prioritise production for large-scale AI data centres, tightening supply for printed circuit board makers and consumer electronics firms that rely on the same memory components.

Tuurny said it has successfully deployed its first commercial robotic cell, known as Nantul, which uses computer vision and precision robotics to identify, process and remove intact RAM integrated circuits directly from discarded electronics. The system is capable of extracting up to 300 usable RAM chips per hour from electronic waste streams, according to the company.

The start-up has also secured its first commercial contract, valued in the six-figure range, as manufacturers look for alternative sources of critical components.

While initial efforts are focused on memory chips, Tuurny said its technology is not limited to RAM. The extraction process is software-defined rather than dependent on fixed mechanical tooling, allowing the robots to be reprogrammed to target different components as supply chain needs change.

“Our immediate focus is keeping consumer electronics manufacturers alive during this memory squeeze, and RAM is just the beginning,” said Tuurny founder Sina Ghashghaei. “Because our robots see and understand the board layout dynamically, we can push an over-the-air update to immediately begin targeting and stockpiling specific components rich in critical minerals like copper coils, palladium-heavy RF shields, or specialised processors. We aren’t just a recycling company; we are an agile, onshore strategic reserve.”

At present, much of the United States’ electronic waste is exported to developing countries, largely because manual dismantling is labour-intensive and costly. This practice results in valuable components and rare-earth materials leaving the domestic supply chain.

Tuurny argues that automation changes the economics of electronics dismantling. By replacing manual processes with autonomous systems, the company aims to make onshore recovery of components and critical minerals commercially viable.

The company said its long-term goal is to reduce reliance on overseas processing and resource-intensive mining by recovering usable parts and materials from existing devices. Tuurny is now expanding its robotic operations as it responds to what it describes as increasing interest from manufacturers seeking more resilient, localised hardware supply chains.

By: DocMemory
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