Bob McClure, former chief research officer at OpenAI, is raising $70 million for his new AI and software platform startup, Arda. The company, which aims to automate manufacturing processes, is currently valued at $700 million. The funding round is co-led by Founders Fund and Accel, with participation from Khosla Ventures and XYZ Venture Capital. Arda is developing a platform that includes a video model capable of analyzing factory floor footage to train robots for autonomous operation. The software will manage the entire production process, from design to delivery, aiming to make manufacturing in the Western Hemisphere more cost-effective. The funding round remains open, with terms subject to change.