Amazon’s iRobot deal faces EU snag, but hot drone summer continues with new funding – Global Village Space
This week has brought both good news and challenges for the robotics industry. While nascent companies have secured new investments, two established players are facing obstacles. Amazon’s potential $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot, which was previously approved by the U.K.’s antitrust regulators, is now under extensive review by the European Union.
In his Actuator newsletter, our resident robotics expert Brian Heater provides additional analysis on the deal and pays tribute to the late industry legend Joanne Pransky. To stay updated with Brian’s insights, subscribe to Actuator and receive weekly updates every Thursday.
Verity’s $11M Funding Boost for Inventory Drones
Swiss startup Verity has announced a new round of funding, adding to its $32 million Series B raised in March. Verity’s partnership with Ikea, which deployed 100 inventory drones across 16 European warehouses, has garnered significant attention in the industry. The latest funding will be used to scale operations and meet the growing demand for supply chain automation.
Pano AI Raises $17M for Wildfire Detection Automation
Pano AI has developed cameras capable of automatically detecting wildfires. The company recently made headlines by sending early warnings about the Kutch Road Fire 14 minutes before the first 911 call. With wildfires becoming an increasing concern worldwide due to rising temperatures, Pano AI has secured a $17 million extension to its $20 million Series A funding.
Simbe Secures $28M in Funding Following BJ Wholesale Deal
Simbe focuses on monitoring inventory within stores using its robots. These robots roam through stores, ensuring that the products are within the customers’ reach. The company has just announced a $28 million Series B funding round, following its $26 million Series A raised in late 2019. Simbe’s recent deal involves placing its Tally robots in all BJ Wholesale Club locations.
Bedrock Expands Ocean-Mapping Ambitions with $25M Funding
Bedrock aims to revolutionize underwater surveying, inspection, and monitoring for offshore projects, particularly in the growing offshore wind industry. The company’s autonomous underwater vehicles replace costly crewed survey ships. Bedrock has recently secured $25.5 million in funding to expand its mission. Interestingly, the company’s focus has shifted from hardware to proving the commercial viability of selling the data collected by its autonomous explorers.
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