Root Access develops tool for engineers of embedded systems, raises funding - The Robot Report

Root Access Inc., a New York-based startup co-founded by Ryan Eppley and Samarpita Chowdhury, has developed an AI-native tool aimed at engineers working on firmware for embedded systems, such as heavy machinery, robotics, and mission-critical hardware. Recognizing that firmware development is often overlooked compared to hardware and software, Root Access seeks to streamline and enhance this process by enabling engineers to validate and configure components more efficiently using their Hideout integrated development environment (IDE). The company recently raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its technology. The founders bring complementary expertise: Eppley has a diverse background spanning agriculture, competitive sports, philosophy, and technology roles at Oracle and other ventures, while Chowdhury has deep hardware and firmware experience, including military motherboard design and multiple patents. They identified a gap between PCB design tools and other parts of the tech stack, aiming to fill it with their AI-driven solution. Since its incorporation in 2024, Root Access has