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‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

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2017 was a bumper year for robotics investment, with even more funds to come, according to a report by ABI Research

The robotics industry continued to go from strength to strength as 2017 represented the largest year of investment, with the total amount adding up to $2.7 billion, according to ABI Research, a market-forecast advisory firm.

Rian Whitton, research analyst at ABI Research, says: “While the growth in investment from 2016 to 2017, at 23.2 per cent, slowed from growth between 2015 and 2016, this was affected by applying a narrower understanding of robotics, leaving out categories like autonomous cars.

“Had the same definition of robotics been used as in previous years, total investment would have exceeded $5 billion.”  [Read more…] about ‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

Briefing – Investing in robotics and automation: Supporting ideas through crowdfunding platforms

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News takes a look at crowdfunding platforms

If you’ve got some money to invest, you may have considered, or even participated in, a crowdfunding campaign. 

You wouldn’t be alone, of course, since literally billions of dollars have been raised in the past few years through such platforms.

The giants of the crowdfunding market are names you may be familiar with – Kickstarter and Indiegogo come to mind immediately.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Investing in robotics and automation: Supporting ideas through crowdfunding platforms

The rise of the robot: Investing in disruptive automation

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MarketNewsUpdates.com news commentary

The robots are coming, whether we are ready or not and the trend is clear: robots will increasingly integrate into our society – at work, at home, in warehouses, hospitals and retail stores, on city streets, industrial parks and the footpaths of college campuses.

As these increasingly versatile machines start to roll out or walk out of the laboratories, the global robotics and automation market is forecasted to grow from $64 billion to $1.2 trillion in the next 10 years.  [Read more…] about The rise of the robot: Investing in disruptive automation

LG buys 10 per cent of Robotis for $8.5 million

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South Korean electronics giant LG has acquired a 10.12 per cent stake in Robotis, according to the Korea Herald. 

The website reports that LG paid $8.5 million for a share of Robotis, which is also a South Korean company.

Robotis develops a while range of robotics technologies, including robotic controllers and sensor modules.  [Read more…] about LG buys 10 per cent of Robotis for $8.5 million

Denso invests in AI fleet management technology company ActiveScaler

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Denso, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, announced a significant investment in startup company ActiveScaler, a developer of Managed MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) systems powered by artificial intelligence.

Denso’s investment will help expand ActiveScaler’s platform and technologies, which simplify and better customize shared mobility experiences. The agreement also will help accelerate deployment of Managed MaaS systems for leading mobility operators and fleet service providers.

With the increase in global demand for more scalable and efficient services for moving people and goods, ActiveScaler says its technology will help enhance growth and simplify implementation with a modular set of components that enable mobility service providers and fleet managers to tailor MaaS solutions to their specific business needs.  [Read more…] about Denso invests in AI fleet management technology company ActiveScaler

Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

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A startup company called Ouster has raised $27 million in its Series A funding round, led by Cox Enterprises, a diversified company which has a very large automotive business unit. 

Ouster is a developer of light detection and radar systems, or lidar, which is said to be a critical component in many new technologies, including autonomous cars. A lidar unit can often be seen on top of self-driving cars, and looks a bit like a siren light.

Ouster’s new product is called OS1 Lidar, which is likely to find wide application as a perception technology for the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors.  [Read more…] about Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

Rewired appoints Gleb Chuvpilo as managing partner as it opens new Switzerland office

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Rewired, the $100 million robotics-focused venture studio and fund, has appointed Silicon Valley technology investment veteran Gleb Chuvpilo as managing partner. 

Chuvpilo had previously served as a venture partner with Rewired, helping identify, validate, and collaborate with the firm’s growing list of portfolio companies working with applied science technologies to develop what Rewired calls “the next generation of robotics”.

Chuvpilo brings both venture experience and deep technical expertise, with a master’s degree from the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  [Read more…] about Rewired appoints Gleb Chuvpilo as managing partner as it opens new Switzerland office

Robotics-related investment fund reaches $1.5 billion worth of assets under management

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A robotics- and automation-related investment fund says it now has $1.5 billion under management.

The Robo Global Robotics & Automation exchange-traded fund (ROBO) is celebrating four years on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Robo Global is said to be the first robotics-related investment fund, and says so far this year, it has delivered a total return of 37.73 percent.  [Read more…] about Robotics-related investment fund reaches $1.5 billion worth of assets under management

Zume Pizza raises $48 million funding for robotic pizza production system

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A company which is developing robotic pizza production systems has raised $48 million in funding, according to a report on ZDNet.com. 

The new funding for Zume Pizza follows a previous round, in December, which raised $23 million.

ZDNet says Zume’s system could increase speed and freshness at the same time as reducing labour costs.

(Main picture courtesy of ZDNet.)

Bocap invests $4.2 million in Specim vision systems for waste-sorting robot

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Spectral Imaging, or Specim, has agreed to an investment of €3.5 million ($4.2 million) by Bocap SME Achievers Fund, with the aim to double its current €10 million revenues by 2020.

Specim is a global pioneer in hyperspectral imaging technology and related products and solutions. Its products are widely used in industrial, environmental and security applications.

Specim’s solutions serve mining industries in drill core scanning and producing mineral maps, agriculture to screen the crops for disease and infestation, and they are key components in waste-sorting robotics.  [Read more…] about Bocap invests $4.2 million in Specim vision systems for waste-sorting robot