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Interview: ‘Robotics in construction will revolutionize the sector’

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Cemex is a Mexican multinational building materials company headquartered in San Pedro, Mexico. It manufactures and distributes cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates in more than 50 countries. In 2020, it was ranked as the 5th largest cement company by amount of cement produced annually in the world, at more than 87 million tonnes. 

In 2017, it founded its investment arm, Cemex Ventures, which currently has a portfolio that lists more than 30 companies on its books.

In this interview, we speak with Ibon Iribar, investment and open innovation advisor at Cemex Ventures, and ask him about robotics and automation in the construction sector and whether new technologies such as these can make a difference to the stagnant growth in productivity that the sector has historically shown over the course of many decades. [Read more…] about Interview: ‘Robotics in construction will revolutionize the sector’

TDK Ventures ‘thrilled’ with its investment into ANYbotics

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TDK Corporation, the old Japanese multinational electronics giant, says its subsidiary TDK Ventures has invested in ANYbotics, a Switzerland-based global leader in industrial inspection robotics.

TDK says it is “passionate about pushing the limits of what robots can do”, and how they can transform the way industrial facilities are operated. Their robots combine best-in-class hardware, AI, and software developments to generate reliable and speedy customer return on investment.

ANYbotics has earned the trust of hundreds of industry-leading companies worldwide, and collaborates with a notable network of tech and reseller partners. As a testament to this progress, ANYbotics has raised an additional $60 million, bringing its total funding to $130 million. [Read more…] about TDK Ventures ‘thrilled’ with its investment into ANYbotics

Airbus Ventures invests in Eureka Robotics

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Airbus Ventures has made an investment in Singapore-based Eureka Robotics.

Eureka says it will use the $10.5 million Series A funds to accelerate the development of its main products – Eureka Controller and Eureka 3D Camera, which enable system integrators and manufacturers to deploy High Accuracy-High Agility (HA-HA) applications in factories and warehouses.

It will also scale the company’s operations in the existing markets of Singapore and Japan, with a plan to launch more widely across Japan, as well as to enter the US market, where the company has already acquired initial customers. [Read more…] about Airbus Ventures invests in Eureka Robotics

Cybernetix Ventures and Pittsburgh Robotics Network agree strategic partnership

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Cybernetix Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on robotics, automation, and industrial AI, has agreed a strategic partnership with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, as part of the firm’s long-term robotics cluster engagement efforts.

The partnership is a joint initiative to set Pittsburgh’s robotics startups up for success, and bring more of the cluster’s investable robotics opportunities to global markets.

Founded in 2021, Cybernetix works with robotics clusters around the world to elevate the most promising robotics founders and startups to the global stage, connecting them to the firm’s diverse ecosystem of potential customers, later stage investors, financial institutions, and acquirers.

Cybernetix will join forces with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network as a Leader Premier Partner and provide their advisory to its startups. [Read more…] about Cybernetix Ventures and Pittsburgh Robotics Network agree strategic partnership

Autonomous electric truck startup Fernride raises $31 million in Series A funding

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Fernride, a German autonomous, electric trucking company, has secured $31 million in Series A funding to accelerate the transition towards automated and sustainable logistics by creating the world’s leading human-machine collaboration technology.

Fernride’s unique approach has already convinced leading industry players such as Volkswagen, DB Schenker, BSH, and HHLA. The company has integrated automated trucks into the productive operations of these enterprises over the past 12 months.

The latest funding will be used to scale Fernride’s operations with existing and new customers globally and boost the technological development of their unique approach to human-assisted autonomy. [Read more…] about Autonomous electric truck startup Fernride raises $31 million in Series A funding

Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport

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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

Swiss agritech startup Ecorobotix raises $52 million in new funding

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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

African-engineered food delivery robots debut at Brigham university

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A unique food delivery robot is on campus at Brigham Young University (BYU). The robot is a collaboration between Professor Benjamin Terry of BYU and a robotics startup called CAYTU Robotics. 

The unique twist to these robots is that they will be controlled by operators sitting in a country far away on the continent of Africa.

CAYTU Robotics, based in Dakar, Senegal, is a startup founded by a team of African engineers which is using cutting-edge technology to enable remote control of robots from anywhere in the world. [Read more…] about African-engineered food delivery robots debut at Brigham university

Noah Medical raises $150 million to scale robotics surgery solutions

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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

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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