Anybotics Secures $60 Million in Funding to Expand Autonomous Industrial Robot Deployment Across the United States

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Introduction

Anybotics, a Swiss robotics company, has announced that it has raised an additional $60 million to close its Series B round at $110 million. This brings the total amount of funding for the company to $130 million since its inception. The new investment is expected to help Anybotics drive its expansion in the US and explore new applications and industries.

Background

Anybotics was spun out from the ETH Zurich research university in 2016. The company has developed a quadruped autonomous inspection robot called Anymal, which is equipped with sensors and cameras for monitoring equipment in industrial settings. This can include tasks such as tracking thermal anomalies, detecting combustible gas, or performing routine inspections.

According to Dr. Péter Fankhauser, co-founder and CEO of Anybotics, the company’s technology addresses the challenge of performing routine inspections in complex and hazardous environments. By automating these tasks, Anybotics minimizes human exposure to danger, reduces downtime, and streamlines maintenance processes.

Series B Extension

The $60 million raised by Anybotics is an extension of its previous Series B funding round, which was announced 18 months ago. The new investment was co-led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, with participation from new and existing investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, Nokia-backed NGP Capital, Swisscanto, Swisscom Ventures, TDK Ventures, and Walden Catalyst.

Fankhauser explained that the Series B extension focuses on scaling Anybotics’ core business globally, including expansion in the US. However, the company has chosen to label this latest investment as an extension of a funding round rather than a new Series C round. This is because the next capital injection will target broader growth and expanding into new applications and industries.

Expansion Plans

With its fresh $60 million in funding, Anybotics is well-positioned to drive its US expansion. The company recently opened a San Francisco office, which will serve as a hub for its operations in North America. Anybotics plans to leverage this investment to expand its portfolio into new applications and industries.

According to Fankhauser, the company’s customers are increasingly deploying multiple Anymal robots across their facilities. In fact, some of Anybotics’ largest customers have ordered close to 20 robots each. The company’s technology has been adopted by various industrial clients, including Novelis (aluminum rolling and recycling), Iamgold (gold mining), Stelco (steel milling), and Stanford University.

Industry Impact

Anybotics’ technology has the potential to transform the way industries approach maintenance and inspection tasks. By automating these processes, companies can reduce downtime, increase productivity, and improve operational reliability.

According to Fankhauser, Anybotics addresses a significant challenge in industrial settings: performing routine inspections in complex and hazardous environments. The company’s Anymal robot is designed to navigate difficult-to-reach areas safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of human exposure to danger.

Conclusion

Anybotics’ Series B extension brings the company’s total funding to $130 million since its inception. With this fresh investment, Anybotics is poised to drive its US expansion and explore new applications and industries. The company’s technology has significant potential to transform the way industries approach maintenance and inspection tasks, making it an exciting development in the robotics industry.

Company Overview

Name: Anybotics
Founding Year: 2016 (spun out from ETH Zurich research university)
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Key Products/Services: Anymal quadruped autonomous inspection robot
Funding: $110 million (Series B extension) + $20 million (previous Series B funding)

Industry Trends

The robotics industry is rapidly evolving, with advancements in AI, machine learning, and sensor technologies. Companies like Anybotics are at the forefront of this innovation, developing solutions that address significant challenges in industrial settings.

Some key trends in the robotics industry include:

Autonomous Inspection: The use of autonomous robots for inspection tasks is becoming increasingly popular, as companies seek to reduce downtime and improve operational reliability.
Industry 4.0: The integration of AI, machine learning, and sensor technologies is transforming industrial settings, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Collaborative Robots (Cobots): Cobots are designed to work alongside human workers, improving efficiency and productivity in various industries.