Robot Eyes: Vision and Technology

Recent Trends in Robotics Investment

The past week’s robotics investments demonstrate a notable diversification across various sectors. This widespread activity suggests a generally optimistic outlook among venture capitalists regarding the potential of automation in numerous industries.

Medical Robotics Continue to Advance

The medical field remains a significant area of investment. Surgical robots, surprisingly, have a history stretching back to the mid-1980s, initially utilized in orthopedic procedures. Intuitive’s da Vinci system, a more widely recognized name, has been in use for over two decades.

Currently, approximately 5,000 of these robotic systems are deployed globally. Notably, Intuitive co-founder Frederic Moll has joined ForSight Robotics as an advisor.

ForSight Robotics: Precision Eye Surgery

Israeli startup ForSight Robotics recently secured $10 million in a “mega-seed round” to advance its platform for eye surgery. Ophthalmological procedures demand an exceptionally high degree of precision, making robotic assistance particularly valuable.

The company aims to expand access to these advanced procedures, especially in regions with limited access to specialized medical professionals. Data from the British Journal of Ophthalmology indicates a shortage of qualified surgeons in developing countries, with roughly 3.7 surgeons available per million citizens.

Rani Therapeutics: Robotic Pills for Targeted Delivery

Rani Therapeutics is pioneering the development of robotic pills, a concept explored for years at institutions like MIT. The company’s product is engineered to deliver subcutaneous injections directly to the small intestine.

Nimble Robotics: Rapid Deployment of Fulfillment Robots

Nimble Robotics is distinguished by the speed of its real-world deployment. The company has secured a $50 million Series A funding round and benefits from the expertise of advisors like Fei-Fei Li and Sebastian Thrun. They specialize in adaptable pick-and-place fulfillment robots, leveraging deep imitation learning.

The CEO emphasized their rapid growth, stating, “We have a lot of robots deployed in production…we’re growing really quickly. These are robots that are in production and picking tens of thousands of real orders every single day for each of our customers.”

Bedrock Ocean Exploration: Underwater Robotics

Bedrock Ocean Exploration’s $8 million raise highlights the growing interest in underwater robotics. Inspired by initiatives like Shell’s underwater exploration XPrize, the company, founded by Nautilus Labs cofounder Anthony DiMare, utilizes advanced robotics to survey the ocean floor for applications such as wind farm development and laying intercontinental cables.

Last-Mile Delivery Robotics

Several companies focused on last-mile delivery are gaining traction. Refraction.AI, previously featured on a mobility stage, has raised $4.2 million and plans to expand its operations. Their robots are uniquely designed with a bicycle frame, allowing for efficient navigation in bike lanes.

Tortoise, a Bay Area startup, has secured a pilot program with Albertsons, with plans to test its robots in Safeway stores in Northern California. Successful trials could lead to wider deployment across the West Coast.

Strawbot: Robotics in Agriculture

Strawbot represents another example of the increasing use of robotics in agriculture. The company claims to offer farmers potential labor cost savings of up to one-third by assisting pickers in strawberry fields. This approach differs from that of Traptic, but Strawbot certainly has a memorable name.

Digital Dream Labs and the Revival of Anki Robotics

Digital Dream Labs, having acquired the intellectual property of Anki after its closure, has announced plans to relaunch the popular Cozmo and Vector robotics toys.

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