Anybotics Secures $60M for US Expansion of Autonomous Robots

Anybotics Secures Additional Funding for Expansion

The Swiss robotics firm, Anybotics, has successfully obtained an additional $60 million, bringing the total closure of its Series B funding round to $110 million. This investment arrives approximately 18 months following the initial announcement of a $50 million Series B raise.

Development of the Anymal Robot

Originating as a spin-off from research conducted at the Eth Zürich university in 2016, Anybotics has developed a quadrupedal, fully autonomous inspection robot known as Anymal. This robot is equipped with a comprehensive suite of sensors and cameras designed for monitoring equipment within industrial environments.

Its capabilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including the detection of thermal irregularities as part of preventative maintenance procedures and the identification of flammable gas presence.

Benefits of Automated Industrial Inspections

“Anybotics tackles the difficulties inherent in performing regular inspections in challenging and potentially dangerous industrial settings,” stated Dr. Péter Fankhauser, co-founder and CEO of the company (pictured with CFO Fredrik Isler). “Automating these processes minimizes the risk to human personnel in hazardous or inaccessible locations.”

He continued, “Furthermore, it reduces downtime through more frequent and comprehensive inspections, and optimizes maintenance workflows, ultimately boosting productivity and operational dependability.”

Growth and Deployment of Anymal

Since securing the first portion of its Series B funding 18 months ago, the Zurich-based company reports a doubling in the number of robots sold. Currently, nearly 200 Anymal robots are operational across sectors like oil and gas, mining, power generation, utilities, and metals processing.

Notable customers include Novelis (specializing in aluminum rolling and recycling), Iamgold (a gold mining company), Stelco (a steel milling operation), and Stanford University, which utilizes Anybotics robots for “cutting-edge research initiatives.”

Customer Adoption and Fleet Sizes

“Our clientele typically deploy anywhere from a single robot to substantial fleets exceeding ten units,” explained Fankhauser. “The largest customer orders are approaching twenty robots in size.”

He also noted that fleet orders are becoming increasingly prevalent, as many of their industrial clients manage over 100 facilities globally, each potentially benefiting from the deployment of multiple Anymal robots.

Strategic Funding and U.S. Expansion

With a total of $130 million raised since its founding, Anybotics is now strongly positioned financially. The recent $60 million infusion will primarily fuel the company’s expansion into the U.S. market, following the recent establishment of a San Francisco office.

It is significant that Anybotics has designated this latest investment as an extension of the previous funding round, rather than initiating a Series C. This decision reflects the company’s intended use of the capital.

Future Growth Plans

“This Series B extension is centered on scaling our core business on a global scale, with a particular focus on expansion within the U.S.,” Fankhauser clarified. “A Series C round will be directed towards broader growth, encompassing the expansion of our product portfolio into new applications and industries.”

Consequently, a larger capital injection is anticipated, though it is unlikely to occur before 2026.

Investors in the Series B Extension

The current Series B extension was jointly led by new investors Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest. Participation also came from a diverse group of both new and existing investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, NGP Capital (backed by Nokia), Swisscanto, Swisscom Ventures, TDK Ventures, and Walden Catalyst.