Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

capital

Neura Robotics raises $55 million in fresh capital

by Leave a Comment

Neura Robotics, an emerging AI and robotics startup, has closed a $55 million funding round, led by European investors Lingotto, an investment management company owned by Exor, Vsquared Ventures, Primepulse and HV Capital.

Neura Robotics has risen to become a global pioneer in cognitive robotics in just three years and claims innovation leadership in the industry.

As the first company to combine AI and robotics, Neura unveiled the world’s first market-ready cognitive cobot shortly after its founding. [Read more…] about Neura Robotics raises $55 million in fresh capital

Summer Berry Company partners with Tortuga AgTech

by Leave a Comment

Cibus Capital says one of its portfolio companies, UK berry grower The Summer Berry Company (TSBCo), has extended its partnership with Tortuga AgTech, a provider of commercial harvesting robot fleet.

TSBCo has deployed 52 Tortuga robots in its 26 ha of glasshouses and 140 ha of polytunnels in Southwest England to harvest strawberries, provide forecasting on yields, plant health as well as providing support to their agronomists in fighting pests via UV light application.

Cibus Capital advises on investments that support sustainable agricultural production and the incorporation of disruptive technologies into its portfolio companies is pivotal to its mission. [Read more…] about Summer Berry Company partners with Tortuga AgTech

Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

by Leave a Comment

A robotics startup called Figure, an AI Robotics company building general purpose humanoid robots, has raised $70 million in its Series A funding round. The company says the new funding will be used to accelerate the development of Figure 01, which is the company’s autonomous humanoid robot, build out Figure’s AI data pipeline for autonomous operations, and drive towards commercialization.

The round is led by Parkway Venture Capital and joined by participating investments from Brett Adcock, Aliya Capital, Bold Capital Partners, Tamarack Global, FJ labs, and Kuka Robotics CEO Till Reuter. This funding news comes on the heels of Figure’s emergence from stealth.

Figure is building humanoid robots designed for initial deployment into the workforce to address labor shortages and to support supply chain on a global scale. In recent months, Figure made notable hires across AI, Controls, Manipulation, Perception, and Commercial Operations. [Read more…] about Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

ANYbotics raises $50 million in Series B investment

by Leave a Comment

ANYbotics, a Swiss robotics startup specialising in four-legged mobile robots, have raised $50 million in Series B investment.

The funding round was led by international deep tech investors Walden Catalyst and NGP Capital with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Aramco Ventures, Swisscom Ventures, Swisscanto Private Equity, and other existing investors.

The funds will be used to scale deployments internationally, fuel the development of new capabilities, and solidify ANYbotics’ leading competitive position in robotic inspection solutions. [Read more…] about ANYbotics raises $50 million in Series B investment

Swiss agritech startup Ecorobotix raises $52 million in new funding

by Leave a Comment

Ecorobotix, the Swiss manufacturer of ARA, an AI powered plant-by-plant recognition and a precision smart sprayer system, has completed a $52 million (CHF 46 million) funding round.

The round was jointly led by AQTON Private Equity and Cibus Capital, with additional investments from Swisscanto Invest/Swisscanto Growth Fund I, Yara Growth Ventures, Flexstone Partners, and from existing investors including Swisscom Ventures, BASF Venture Capital, 4FOX Ventures, and Verve Ventures.

The funding will accelerate Ecorobotix’s geographic expansion across new and existing markets and accelerate new product development. [Read more…] about Swiss agritech startup Ecorobotix raises $52 million in new funding

Noah Medical raises $150 million to scale robotics surgery solutions

by Leave a Comment

Medical robotics innovator Noah Medical has raised $150 million in Series B funding.

With participation from a number of well-known institutional and strategic investors, Noah Medical says it will use the funds to meet rising demand for the Galaxy System, its next-generation, integrated solution for navigated robotic bronchoscopy.

Co-led by the Softbank Vision Fund and Prosperity7 Ventures, the oversubscribed round also included investments from Tiger Global, Hillhouse, Sequoia China, Shangbay Capital, Uphonest Capital, Sunmed Capital, Lyfe Capital, 1955 Capital, and AME cloud ventures, as well as undisclosed strategic and existing investors. [Read more…] about Noah Medical raises $150 million to scale robotics surgery solutions

Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

by Leave a Comment

Carbon Robotics, a provider of AI-powered robotics to the agricultural sector, has closed $30 million in Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures along with existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital.

The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets. This latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million.

Rob Freelen, managing director of Sozo Ventures, says: “Carbon Robotics’ elegant use of AI, computer vision, robotics and lasers is the only solution that enables farmers to reduce their most expensive line item – weed control – without damaging plants or the soil. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

Employee management software provider Rippling raises $500 million in Series E financing

by Leave a Comment

By Parker Conrad, CEO, Rippling

Rippling, a provider of automated software for employee management, has raised $500 million in a round led by Greenoaks. The round values the company at $11.25 billion, the same as the company’s Series D financing in May 2022.

This was an unusual round, raised in record time and for a purpose that ultimately resolved on its own. It all started on Friday, March 10th at 5.30 am PST.

Rippling’s primary banking partner, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), collapsed with dizzying speed on Thursday, March 9, and entered FDIC receivership on Friday, March 10. [Read more…] about Employee management software provider Rippling raises $500 million in Series E financing

Plus One Robotics raises $50 million in new funding

by Leave a Comment

Plus One Robotics, a provider of advanced AI vision software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, has raised $50 million in Series C funding.

The round was led by Scale Venture Partners, with Partner Rory O’Driscoll joining the board of directors. Top Tier Capital Partners, Tyche Partners, ROBO Global Ventures, Translink, McRock, and Pritzker Group Venture Capital also participated in the round alongside existing investors, which brings the company’s total funding to date to nearly $100 million.

Plus One’s technology helps to alleviate the persistent shortage of manual labor through robotic solutions, dramatically streamlining the parcel picking and depalletizing processes. [Read more…] about Plus One Robotics raises $50 million in new funding

Volvo invests in Waabi to strengthen autonomous truck offering

by Leave a Comment

Volvo Group Venture Capital has invested in the Canadian-founded company Waabi Innovation, which developing “next generation” autonomous trucking technology.

The companies says the investment highlights their shared commitment to “redefine the way we move goods and to accelerate the deployment of future transport solutions”.

Martin Witt, president of Volvo Group Venture Capital, says: “The company Waabi is using advanced artificial intelligence technology to test, assess skills, and ultimately teach a virtual driver to maneuver safely and efficiently in a commercial-ready autonomous trucking solution. [Read more…] about Volvo invests in Waabi to strengthen autonomous truck offering