The Robot Report

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

Bumblebee Spaces gets Series A funding, including investment from Toyota AI Ventures

By Eugene Demaitre | November 21, 2019

When many people think of household robots, they envision vacuum cleaners, laundry-folding robots, or maybe humanoid models. However, robotic furniture could be coming sooner than two out of three of them. Jim Adler, managing director at Toyota AI Ventures, today welcomed Bumblebee Spaces to Toyota AI Ventures’ portfolio.

While dealing with cramped urban living, Sankarshan Murthy came up with the idea for an intelligent “space and stuff” system using robotics and artificial intelligence to optimize space. Murthy, who had previously worked at Apple and Tesla Motors, applied his experience to founding San Francisco-based Bumblebee Spaces in 2017.

Adler cited a Zillow finding that the median rent in the U.S. requires 28.4% of the median income, with residents of 16 cities such as New York or Los Angeles spending 38% and 47%, respectively. “It’s exciting to see a company making every cubic foot count,” he said.

Toyota AI Ventures, which recently invested part of its second $100 million fund in Cartica AI and Moodify, joined Bumblee’s Series A round, which was led by NTT Venture Capital. Other investors included Valor Equity Partners, Sound Ventures, and Norwest Venture Partners.

Busy like a Bumblebee, an ‘AI butler’

“Bumblebee’s system includes a modular framework that can raise and lower a bed, closet, or multiple storage units from the ceiling using voice commands or Bumblebee’s mobile app,” wrote Adler. “To make home organization smarter, Bumblebee’s platform also uses manual search, object recognition, and deep learning to identify and understand items that users’ own. Think of it as an ‘AI butler’ that can help you find things like an umbrella, or your wallet — a feature anyone late to an appointment or meeting would be grateful for.”

The company can install Bumblebee’s system in existing residences in just a few hours, he added.

Bumblebee Spaces completed a seed funding round of $4.7 million in October, according to Pitchbook. It isn’t the only company working on robotic furniture. MIT spinout and MassRobotics resident Ori Living has partnered with Ikea, and it raised $20 million in Series B funding in September.

Bumblebee is hiring, noted Adler, who added that it is part of the Toyota AI Ventures Talent network.

About The Author

Eugene Demaitre

Eugene Demaitre was senior editor of The Robot Report from 2019-2020. Prior to working at WTWH Media, he was an editor at BNA (now part of Bloomberg), Computerworld, TechTarget, and Robotics Business Review. Demaitre has participated in robotics webcasts and conferences worldwide. He has a master's from the George Washington University and lives in the Boston area.

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 >

Robin Autopilot
Robin Autopilot acquires Mowbot, expands deal with Husqvarna
Digital Dream Labs gearing up for Cozmo, Vector relaunch
Tertill CEO Helen Greiner; Can Aurora catch Waymo?
Sex, Race, and Robots author Ayanna Howard describes how to identify, fight bias
Sex, Race, and Robots author Ayanna Howard discusses how to identify, fight bias

End-of-Arm Tooling Issue

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Ken Goldberg on robotic grasping; Carbon Robotics’ new weeding robot

The Robot Report Podcast · Ken Goldberg on robotic grasping; Carbon Robotics’ new weeding robot

Sponsored Content

  • Why field-of-view matters
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • IES servo control gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing
  • Analytics: Robotics’ untapped vein of business value

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Mobile Robot Guide
  • 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

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