The Beltdraulic SuperJammer robot arm lifted a Ford F 150 Lightning during an open house. Source: RISE Robotics
Large robots often rely on hydraulics, but such systems can leak and be complex to maintain. RISE Robotics, whose Beltdraulic technology offers an alternative, this month raised $2.5 million in commitments from more than 1,300 investors on Wefunder.
“This moment is bigger than just the funding,” stated Hiten Sonpal, CEO of RISE Robotics. “It’s about validation from the public, strategic investors, and industries we’re here to improve. Our community sees what Beltdraulic can do, and they want to be part of bringing it to the world.”
Graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) founded RISE Robotics in 2011. The Somerville, Mass.-based company has worked with the MassTech Collaborative on digital twins and MassRobotics as it prepared for its crowdfunding campaign.
“It’s good to be in Massachusetts,” Sonpal told The Robot Report. “We can get quality interns, and the community is very supportive.”
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Beltdraulic reduces leaks, complexity
Beltdraulic replaces high-pressure hydraulic fluid with a belt-and-pulley system that RISE Robotics claimed can increase throughput, halve fuel use, eliminate fire hazard, and improve sustainability. The company said its technology can deliver “hydraulic-like power and electromechanical precision without the oil, emissions, or complexity.”
The second generation of Beltdraulic can both push and pull, like hydraulics, Sonpal explained. It also has variable speed and a design with minimal total steel and polyurethane parts for a reduced bill of materials (BOM) and scalable manufacturing.
“We learned from iRobot to reduce complexity,” said Sonpal. “Because it’s electronically driven, we don’t have to add more sensors, as one would with hydraulics. Our system is more shock-tolerant and has five times the life of screw actuators, and it can detect wear for predictive maintenance.”
RISE asserted that Beltdraulic is three times faster, increasing revenue, and three times more efficient, reducing expenses. Because it is 100% digital, teleoperation and autonomy are enabled “out of the box,” said Sonpal.
Beltdraulic finds applications across industries
In March, the Guinness World Records awarded RISE Robotics the title of the “Strongest Robotic Arm Prototype” for its SuperJammer arm, which lifted 7,015 lb. (3,181.9 kg).
“This achievement is more than just a number; it represents a significant leap in zero-emissions technology, proving that electric actuation can surpass traditional hydraulic systems in power and efficiency,” said Andy Glass, a Guinness World Records adjudicator.
In addition to robotics, RISE noted that Beltdraulic can replace hydraulics across the $600 billion heavy machinery industry. The company is working with engineering equipment provider Danfoss and is exploring defense, materials handling, and entertainment applications.
For instance, the Beltdraulic Railgate eliminates hoses, pumps, and the risk of oil leaks from the lift gates used to unload trailers. It can be installed within five hours rather than the 30 typically needed for hydraulic lift gates and is 200 lb. (90.7 kg) lighter than them, Sonpal said.
RISE said the Beltdraulic Railgate consumes half the energy of hydraulic gates and comes with a five-year, 200,000-cycle warranty. The lift gate even regenerates electricity on the way down because of gravity.
During a demonstration, The Robot Report operated the Beltdraulic Railgate, which performed smoothly and quietly at up to 2 m/sec. (4.4 mph). RISE said it is in discussions with a major OEM to integrate Beltdraulic into its next-generation fleet.
RISE Robotics has contracts including with the U.S. Air Force for the Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) vehicle and a Phase 1 contract with the U.S. Army to explore an advanced collapsible lightweight crane.
RISE Robotics funding to facilitate production
After quickly surpassing its original $1.2 million goal, RISE Robotics raised the ceiling to $1.8 million and was oversubscribed again within a week. After ranking among Wefunder’s Top 10 campaigns in May, the startup expanded the round to $2.4 million and surpassed that as well.
RISE said it has already generated more than $9.1 million in total revenue, and as a Reg CF company, both accredited and non-accredited investors can participate through Wefunder. In addition to its Wefunder campaign, RISE has backing from Techstars, The Engine by MIT, and Fortistar Capital.
Kingscrowd listed RISE Robotics as a “top deal,” with a score of 4.7/5.0. The company said it plans to use the additional capital to accelerate product development and scale production.
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