Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

investment

Falling Demand is Undermining Government Investment in Battery and Semiconductor Tech

by

Improvements in battery and semiconductor technology are essential for automation. Physically instantiated AI systems need power cells that can fuel them for work. Tethering them to long cables is impractical in most situations.

Unfortunately, demand for these ancillary technologies is drying up, despite billions of dollars in direct U.S. government funding. Slowing growth in electric vehicle sales is partly to blame.

Still, pundits are also anticipating Donald Trump’s return to the Whitehouse, dampening sentiment in the science and technology sector’s long-term investment plans. [Read more…] about Falling Demand is Undermining Government Investment in Battery and Semiconductor Tech

Insuring Bitcoin: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities for the Insurance Industry

by

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in Bitcoin, a decentralized digital money that has the potential to completely alter current financial systems.

Consider the potential risks associated with this cutting-edge technology as more people and businesses begin to invest in Bitcoin. One of the most crucial areas for tackling the dangers related to bitcoin is insurance.

In this essay, we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of Bitcoin insurance, as well as any potential benefits for both insurance providers and Bitcoin investors. [Read more…] about Insuring Bitcoin: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities for the Insurance Industry

MassRobotics ready to give $100,000 to each company accepted into its accelerator program

by

MassRobotics, an independent robotics innovation hub, has launched the inaugural MassRobotics Accelerator, powered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech).

This program is built to support and advance robotics entrepreneurs by providing bespoke programming, individual mentorship, and immersion in the world-class robotics network that is the MassRobotics ecosystem.

The MassRobotics Accelerator will reside at MassRobotics headquarters located in the vibrant Seaport Innovation District in Boston. [Read more…] about MassRobotics ready to give $100,000 to each company accepted into its accelerator program

PickNik Robotics raises $2 million in pre-seed investment round

by

PickNik Robotics, a provider of “unstructured robotics software”, says it has reached a major milestone in its mission to bring robot arms “out of factories and into our everyday lives”.

The company has just raised $2 million in a pre-seed investment round led by Stellar Ventures and Cypress Growth Capital, positioning itself as the dominant force in redefining the robotics industry through its innovative software platforms.

The investment augments PickNik’s existing $5 million in non-dilutive SBIR funding contracts with NASA JSC, NASA Ames, and Space Force. [Read more…] about PickNik Robotics raises $2 million in pre-seed investment round

Startup Niryo raises €10 million to ‘democratize collaborative robot arms’

by

Niryo, the industrial startup specialized in the design of compact collaborative robotic arms, has completed a €6.4 million round of financing, marking a new stage in its ambition to revolutionize the collaborative robotics industry on a global scale.

This Series A financing round, led by the BPI Digital Venture investment fund, the Innovacom investment fund and four other historical funds (IRD, Finorpa, NFA and Go Capital), aims to support Niryo’s growth, particularly by addressing new use cases, developing a range aimed at professionals, and consolidating its international expansion.

This financing is complemented by €3.6 million in loans provided by a banking pool. [Read more…] about Startup Niryo raises €10 million to ‘democratize collaborative robot arms’

Realtime Robotics raises $9.5 million in additional funding

by

Realtime Robotics, a developer of collision-free autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, today announced that it has secured an additional $9.5 million in funding from Shinhan GIB and Kyobo Life Insurance.

Driven by the strong response to its RapidPlan industrial robotics motion control and collision avoidance software, Realtime will use this additional investment to drive further product enhancements, incorporate feedback from customers and partners, and scale to support additional go-to-market efforts.

RapidPlan reduces the annual costs of robotic automation by two-thirds and makes the robot programming process up to 5x faster, all while eliminating collisions and removing the majority of manual, time-consuming adjustments. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics raises $9.5 million in additional funding

Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport

by

Aeroporti di Roma Ventures (ADR Ventures), which is the new Corporate Venture Capital arm of Aeroporti di Roma, has made an “initial venture investment” with Ottonomy, a startup providing contactless deliveries using fully autonomous robots.

After a successful proof of concept (PoC) established during the accelerator program in the Innovation Hub in Fiumicino airport, the autonomous delivery project became part of ADR’s long-term strategy aimed at maintaining the highest levels of service and enhancing passengers’ experience using cutting edge technology and innovation.

Emanuele Calà, president and CEO of ADR Ventures, says: “Our first investment is an additional step towards building the airport of the future, which will be more autonomous and passenger-centric. [Read more…] about Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport

ANYbotics raises $50 million in Series B investment

by

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

Mitsubishi Electric agrees strategic investment in Otto Motors to accelerate industrial automation

by

Mitsubishi Electric, a factory automation solutions provider, has agreed a strategic investment in Clearpath Robotics, the parent company of autonomous mobile robot leader, Otto Motors.

With more than 4 million hours of production experience, Otto Motors’ pioneering autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology and award-winning software are used by Fortune 500 companies to deliver productivity and safety in material handling operations.

The investment expands the strategic relationship between Otto Motors and Mitsubishi Electric, and strengthens the two companies’ commercial collaboration. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric agrees strategic investment in Otto Motors to accelerate industrial automation

$90 billion invested in robotics startups in past five years, according to new report

by

F-Prime Capital has released its State of Robotics report, which it says provides “comprehensive insight into investment trends and exits”.

Over the past five years, 1,250 robotics companies have generated $20 billion+ of mergers and acquisitions, $15 billon of market cap across public companies, and $100 billion+ of unrealized value from private unicorns alone.

2022 saw a significant pull back in valuations for robotics companies as investors focused on higher revenue predictability and increased capital efficiency, though many companies were able to retain premium valuation multiples. [Read more…] about $90 billion invested in robotics startups in past five years, according to new report