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

April acquisitions, equity deals and Chinese funds

By Frank Tobe | May 14, 2015


Money is flowing to robotics-related startup companies. Q1 saw 19 equity deals totaling $317 million, and 3 acquisitions of undetermined amounts, but money also flowed in April.

Equity deals:

  • Airware, already the most heavily venture-backed drone company in Silicon Valley, received an undisclosed investment from Intel Capital. Airware has developed an autopilot that enables drone makers to quickly build their device, pop in the Airware box, add their special application-specific payload, and not have to develop extensive piloting and navigation software.
  • Gamma2 Robotics closed a $3.5M Series A round with a goal of rolling out their mobile Vigilant Security Robots. Funds came from Foxlink, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer who said: “We believe that it represents a sea change in the security industry, where no longer are human guards burdened with the dull, dirty and dangerous jobs. They can be reallocated to more high-value roles, leaving the robots to do the previous job at a technically superior level, at a fraction of the cost. We see — and are actively pursuing — immediate applications around the world.”

​Acquisitons:

  • SMD,a UK ROV builder and underwater services provider, was sold to a Chinese conglomerate for $190M.
  • Beijing-based Ninebot acquired Segway and received $80M from two VCs to do the deal.
  • Intellibot, a maker of industrial-grade robotic cleaning devices, was acuired by Swiss Sealed Air for an undisclosed amount.
  • ABB, one of the robotic industry’s Big Four of robot manufacturers, acquired gomTec for an undisclosed price. ABB simultaneously launched their new two-armed YuMi robot which is specifically oriented to electronics assembly. Both actions signal ABB’s entrance into the collaborative robotics marketplace.

Other:

  • Moscow-based Skolkovo announce that they and Chinese Cybernaut Investment Group will jointly develop, finance to the tune of $200M, and market high-tech Russian innovations to be manufactured and sold in China and globally.

The Chinese Factor:

  • Note the various acquisitions, investment plans and investment positions made by Chinese investors in the transactions above.
  • The Economist recently reported on the growing flow of Chinese money which is encapsulated in the chart on the right which shows the recent trend, some of which is in the robotics and automation sphere.

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