Robotic Assistance Devices Mobile (RAD-M), says it has committed to producing an intelligent autonomous delivery vehicle based on its Roameo security patrol robot (main picture).
RAD-M is a subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, a developer of AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients.
Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX, says: “Developing this product is something that we’ve wanted to green light for some time, and I’m thrilled to be able to make the official announcement today.
“Roameo was built as a platform with this and other applications in mind. It will be exciting to see how quickly we can bring it to market.”
AITX sees a need in the market for autonomous delivery vehicles for different types of neighborhoods and campuses. Other solutions currently offered in the market are often remotely piloted, which significantly dilutes their ability to save human labor and create the strongest return on investment possible.
The RAD-M delivery vehicle will primarily operate autonomously, with a minimum amount of necessary human support.
According to Quince Market Insights, the global delivery robot market size was valued at $300.2 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a annual growth rate of 30.3 percent through 2030.
Demand for autonomous delivery vehicles has increased dramatically over the past few years as retailers, restaurant operators and other businesses struggle to find contactless delivery methods that can reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and navigate the last mile of delivery.
Other manufacturers in this space have successfully raised capital as they finalize productization and conduct tests in local markets.
In 2020, Nuro raised $500 million in a Series C funding round, led by T. Rowe Price Associates. Alphabet’s Waymo participated in one external fundraising round of $3 billion. Startup Coco closed on $36 million in funding in August 2021.
Reinharz says: “I strongly believe that there is plenty of room for a breakout market leader in the delivery robot sector that addresses the underserved communities and merchants. RAD-M has the enormous opportunity to create the best user experience and bring last mile delivery to the mainstream.”
The company confirmed that the yet unnamed, specialized delivery robot will be built based on its recently enhanced Roameo platform. Roameo is a mobile security robot that is nearly 7 ft tall and weighs over 700 lbs.
Roameo’s height and size lend itself well to performing last mile delivery services.
The delivery robot will house multiple hot and cold storage compartments making it ideal for multiple end-user deliveries on a single errand.
Reinharz says: “Several of our existing Roameo clients and prospects have indicated a keen interest in a large last mile delivery robot. Roameo is the perfect platform for us to build this robot upon.”
The Company expects to announce exciting partnerships for this solution over the course of 2022. The company also expects the first deliveries of the planned RAD-M autonomous delivery vehicle towards the end of 2022.
Reinharz says: “We’re heading into 2022 with excellent and efficient engineering and software development teams. We will continue to aggressively grow those teams. The time to seize these autonomous delivery markets is now, and we will not slow down.
“The goal remains to build a large company offering a variety of solutions that leverage AI and purpose-built hardware to supplement and augment human-related activities. The need is greater now than ever before as many of these jobs either cannot be or can no longer be filled by humans.”
To help fund the company’s growth, the Company will continue to raise capital under its current S-3 registration. The company is allocating 400 million existing shares for this phase.
Reinharz says: “Communicating our plans and purposes is a hallmark of AITX. My expectation is that this capital raise will help fund development, operations and accelerate the opening of new high-profile markets that could bring excellent exposure to the company.”
