Modal Motors targets China-free electric motor production with rare-earth-free designs

SAN FRANCISCO — On Sept. 23, 2026, startup Modal Motors launched an effort to bypass Chinese supply chains in electric motor manufacturing by developing small, lightweight units that operate without rare earth magnets, as detailed in a report by TechCrunch.

Strategic Context

The company's technology is aimed at hardware sectors that rely on compact actuation, including drones, fans, and robotics. Conventional high-efficiency electric motors depend heavily on permanent magnets constructed from rare earth elements. China maintains a dominant position in both the extraction and processing of these critical materials, exposing global hardware producers to single-source vulnerabilities across defense, industrial automation, and commercial device manufacturing.

Forward Outlook

Operators and allocators evaluating hardware and robotics supply chains must track whether Modal Motors can successfully manufacture magnet-free motors at scale while maintaining the performance characteristics required for modern robotic systems and aerial drones. Further reporting on the company's technical roadmap and operational milestones was published by TechCrunch on Sept. 23, 2026.