Cartken's Pivot: From Last-Mile Delivery to Industrial Robots

Cartken Shifts Focus to Industrial Robotics

Cartken, an autonomous robotics company initially recognized for its six-wheeled robots providing food delivery services on college campuses and in Tokyo, is now concentrating on the industrial sector.

Origins of the Pivot

According to Christian Bersch, co-founder and CEO of Cartken, the potential for industrial applications was considered from the startup’s inception. Interest from companies seeking to utilize the robots within factories and laboratories prompted a detailed evaluation of this possibility.

Bersch explained that a significant demand exists for robots in industrial and onsite applications. He noted that optimizing material and production flows can yield substantial value for companies.

Early Industrial Success with ZF Lifetec

In 2023, Cartken secured its first major industrial client, ZF Lifetec, a German manufacturing firm. Initially, ZF Lifetec employed the Cartken Courier, a robot capable of carrying up to 44 pounds and visually similar to a wheeled cooler.

The robot’s initial task involved transporting production samples. It quickly became the company’s most utilized robot, demonstrating a clear market need and prompting Cartken to prioritize this segment.

Continued Last-Mile Delivery Operations

Simultaneously, Cartken continued to develop its last-mile delivery business, establishing partnerships with Uber Eats and GrubHub for operations on U.S. college campuses and in Japan.

Adaptability of the Robotic Platform

The founders – Jake Stelman, Jonas Witt, and Anjali Naik – discovered that adapting the robots for industrial use presented minimal challenges. The robots’ AI is built upon extensive data gathered from food delivery operations.

The robots are engineered to navigate diverse terrains and withstand varying weather conditions, allowing seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments.

Furthermore, data acquired from food deliveries in Tokyo’s streets has enhanced the robots’ ability to respond to and maneuver around obstacles.

Expansion of the Robotic Fleet

Having raised over $20 million from investors including 468 Capital, Incubate Fund, and Vela Partners, Cartken has begun expanding its robotic offerings to align with its industrial focus.

The company introduced the Cartken Hauler, a larger variant of the Courier capable of handling payloads up to 660 pounds. Additionally, the Cartken Runner, designed for indoor deliveries, was released, and development is underway on a robotic forklift.

Bersch emphasized the scalability of their navigation system, stating that the AI and machine learning training are directly transferable across different robot sizes.

Strengthened Partnership with Mitsubishi

Cartken recently announced a deepening of its four-year relationship with Mitsubishi, which initially assisted the company in obtaining the necessary certifications for operating delivery robots on Tokyo’s streets.

Melco Mobility Solutions, a Mitsubishi subsidiary, will purchase approximately 100 Cartken Hauler robots for deployment in Japanese industrial facilities.

Targeting Industrial Applications

Cartken is experiencing significant traction across various industrial sectors, including automotive, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

The company is targeting tasks involving the movement of materials between buildings, currently performed manually, with carts, or small forklifts.

Future of Last-Mile Delivery

While Cartken will continue its food and consumer last-mile delivery business, expansion in this area is not planned. These existing routes will still be utilized for testing new capabilities.

(Note: This article was updated on July 21 to correct the number of wheels on Cartken’s food delivery robots to six.)