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Serve Robotics secures $86 million in new financing

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Serve Robotics, an autonomous delivery company, has raised gross proceeds of $86 million during December 2024, bringing total gross proceeds raised in 2024 to $167 million.

Since its spinout from Uber in 2021, the Company has secured approximately $220 million in total funding. The additional December 2024 funding includes proceeds raised through Serve’s previously filed ATM facility and the exercise of warrants. As of December 31, 2024, Serve had a total of approximately 51.5 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

This infusion of capital significantly strengthens Serve’s financial position, extending its expected operational runway approximately through the end of 2026. Serve is now able to self-fund equipment investments, eliminating the near-term need for equipment financing and its associated servicing costs. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics secures $86 million in new financing

SwitchBot releases ‘multitasking’ household robot at CES

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SwitchBot has revealed the SwitchBot Multitasking Household Robot K20+ Pro, which it describes as “the world’s first multitasking household robot”, at CES.

Combining all-around vacuuming, home security, air purification, and smart delivery in one innovative platform, while offering even further possibilities for DIY, the K20+ Pro sets a new standard for household robotics and also boasts a great examination into the future of robotics application in everyday homes.

At the core of the K20+ Pro is SwitchBot’s groundbreaking FusionPlatform, a mobile platform equipped with ClawLock to physically connect with the mini robot vacuum. [Read more…] about SwitchBot releases ‘multitasking’ household robot at CES

Autonomous snow-clearing vehicles: Solutions for winter’s challenges

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Regardless of whether you believe in “global warming” or the various outlandish claims some environmentalists make, me personally, I’ve noticed that, over the course of my lifetime, the weather has become more and more crazy. 

I don’t think the mainstream news media covers the subject enough, preferring to cover the never-ending wars that repeatedly flare up here and there with the same kind of regularity that they did in biblical times.

Living in the UK, I’ve noticed that the north of England is often inundated with water because of unexpected and unprecedented flooding, or trashed by gale force winds that tear down fences and gates in the middle of the night, or snow that blankets entire towns and airports.

And yet, the news media – which is mostly based in the south, specifically London – appears to be oblivious to it all, preferring to keep their cameras on the dances of death by the current generation of warlords around the world. [Read more…] about Autonomous snow-clearing vehicles: Solutions for winter’s challenges

Foxconn and Nvidia agree partnership to develop humanoid robots

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In a significant move that could reshape the entire robotics industry going forward, Taiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, has agreed a strategic partnership with the world’s largest computer chip maker, Nvidia, to develop advanced humanoid robots.

This is according to a report on a Taiwanese news website, which appears to have got the information from Foxconn’s head honcho, the Hon Hai chairman himself, Young Liu.

This collaboration aims to combine Foxconn’s extensive manufacturing expertise and Nvidia’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create robots capable of performing complex tasks across various industries. [Read more…] about Foxconn and Nvidia agree partnership to develop humanoid robots

Kuka robots take centre stage at ‘avant garde’ rock concert

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Kuka robotic arms took centre stage at a spectacular rock concert performed by Stromae, whose shows have been described by music media as “avant garde and immersive”.

Belgian musician Stromae rose to fame with global hits such as “Alors on danse”, which translates as “So we dance”, and his live shows are spectacular and colourful, and feature numerous advanced technologies.

He was accompanied by 10 Kuka robots that provided a stunning stage set. The spectacle can now be seen for the first time as a concert film on YouTube (see below). [Read more…] about Kuka robots take centre stage at ‘avant garde’ rock concert

Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

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WorkFar Robotics, a developer of humanoid and collaborative robotics, is teaming up with industry magnates to “spark the proliferation of humanoid robotic technology across the world” – in other words, to grow through acquisitions.

To WorkFar, leveraging external growth through mergers and acquisitions is a key step in the realization of this vision.

The goal of most startups is to be acquired by a larger conglomerate. However, WorkFar isn’t your average robotics startup. In fact, the company has been able to put together a market-ready, mass-produceable product even without receiving venture capital which is unheard of in humanoids.

So perhaps it’s expected that WorkFar would avoid following the well-trodden path, instead turning this path on its head so that the startup is the one to acquire other companies, instead of being acquired itself. [Read more…] about Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

Samsung Electronics becomes largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics

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Samsung Electronics has decided to become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics to “accelerate future robot development such as humanoid robots”.

Rainbow Robotics is a startup that is developing and building a variety of robots – including collaborative robotic arms, quadruped or dog-like robots, and dual-armed humanoids – for the industrial sector.

Samsung first acquired a 14.7 per cent stake in the South Korean firm in 2023 with investment of KRW 86.8 billion (approximately $59 million), and is now exercising a call option to increase its stake to 35 per cent. Rainbow Robotics will also be incorporated as a subsidiary under Samsung Electronics’ consolidated financial statements.

Through collaboration with Rainbow Robotics, Samsung will further strengthen its foundation in the development of advanced robot technology. [Read more…] about Samsung Electronics becomes largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics

Will humanoid robots make industrial robotic arms obsolete?

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Two of the biggest trends we have noticed and covered over the past seven years or so since we started this website have been what are called “autonomous mobile robots”, or AMRs, and collaborative robotic arms, or “cobots”, which are different from traditional robotic arms in that they do not need to be kept separate and can be used much like power tools.

Traditional industrial robotic arms were generally too dangerous to be too close to. They don’t know you’re there and have the power to cause injury or death if they make contact with you in the course of doing their job.

But even these “traditional” industrial robots have increasingly become more collaborative through, for example, being installed with sensors to detect human presence or touch, and stop when they might cause harm. [Read more…] about Will humanoid robots make industrial robotic arms obsolete?

One Equity Partners buys controlling stake in Comau

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One Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm, has completed a majority investment in Comau, making Stellantis – one of the world’s largest automakers and the previous owner of Comau – an active minority shareholder.

Comau is a global technology company specializing in industrial automation and advanced robotics.

As previously communicated, Comau’s executive chairman Alessandro Nasi, and CEO Pietro Gorlier will continue leading the company and its future growth. The executive management team will also retain their current positions. [Read more…] about One Equity Partners buys controlling stake in Comau