The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast

2016 funding and acquisitions updates

By Frank Tobe | February 27, 2017

Although the original articles (2016 was best year ever for funding robotics startup companies) and (Over $19 billion paid to acquire 50 robotic companies) have been updated to reflect the omissions of 2016 fundings and acquisitions, listed below is a recap of those updated transactions:

Fundings:

  • $100 million for China-based RooBo – A China-based service robot maker for home and personal use, raised $100 million from iFlyTek, a Chinese software firm with which it formed a strategic partnership that will see ROOBO integrate iFlyTek’s intelligent speech and language recognition technology into ROOBO's robots. ROOBO also manufactures an intelligent drone, a VR headset and smart bone conduction headphones. ROOBO’s team has 300 employees and 7 offices worldwide.
  • $50 million for Israeli Roboteam – An Israeli manufacturer of unmanned ground vehicles for the military secured a $50 million Series B funding from Calcalist and The Marker, both Singaporean investment funds.
  • $13 million for Canadian Genesis Robotics for their new gearless actuator invention. Investors in this round include entrepreneurs Bruce Johnston, Jesse May and Reg Allatt.
  • $9.5 million for Matternet – A startup providing load-carrying unmanned aerial systems for on-demand aerial logistics, raised $9.48 million in a seed round by Daimler and the Wei Fund.
  • $2 million for area17 – A SRI spin-off located in Silicon Valley, raised $2 million in seed funding from Morado Venture Partners and Red Dog Capital. Area17 is developing a collision avoidance autonomous navigation system for mobile and aerial robots.
  • $1.8 million for xCraft – An Idaho-based UAV startup with a VTOL capable of vertical takeoff and landing, raised $1.8 million seed round from angel investors including Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, Daymond John and Lori Greiner.
  • $1.5 million for ReActive Robotics GmbH – A German rehab robotics startup, closed a Series A round of “seven digits” (in Euros) from which we approximated $1.5 million. Investors included MTIP MedTech Innovation Partners, Bayern Kapital, High-Tech Gruenderfonds and The TQ Group.
  • $800k for Ascent Robotics – A Tokyo startup developing multi-task AI agents for robotic systems, raised $800k in seed funding.
    ​
  • Also Cafe X Technologies, Fellow Robots and Simbe Robotics received undisclosed amounts.

Acquisitions:

  • Regarding the acquisition of Liquid Robotics by Boeing, at the time it didn’t have any financial details, but a flurry of leaks and rumors suggest that Boeing paid $300 million for LR. Both companies won’t comment.
  • Redbird, a French drone-powered analytics provider for construction and mining companies, sold to American Airware for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition allows Airware to concentrate on the insurance vertical where it helps State Farm and other customers with inspecting roofs, residential claims management, and commercial underwriting.
  • Erle Robotics, a Spanish startup making components for robots and drones, was acquired by Swiss Acutronic Group, a maker of multiple axes motion simulators, for an undisclosed amount.

About The Author

Frank Tobe

Frank Tobe is the founder of The Robot Report and co-founder of ROBO Global which has developed a tracking index for the robotics industry, the ROBO Global™ Robotics & Automation Index. The index of ~90 companies in 13 sub-sectors tracks and captures the entire economic value of this global opportunity in robotics, automation and enabling technologies.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

Laser-steering microrobot aims to refine minimally invasive surgery
WeRide
China’s WeRide raises another $110M for autonomous vehicles
Boston Dynamics robots dancing
How Boston Dynamics’ robots learned to dance
Leadec Diversified Automation
Leadec acquires Diversified Automation to expand robotics play

Robotics Year in Review

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Teradyne’s acquisition strategy & the future of cobot

The Robot Report Podcast · Teradyne's acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

Sponsored Content

  • Doosan Robotics: Driving Innovation and Growth in Cobots
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • Pallet Detection Systems Help Automated Forklifts Modernize Warehouse Operations
  • IES Servo Control Gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast